Lexus Owners Club

The new RC gains a sporty-yet-elegant exterior that draws on the svelte design language of the LC flagship coupe A new version of the Lexus RC luxury sports coupe will make its global debut at the Paris Motor Show on 2 October. Sales of the new model will commence from late 2018. Since its introduction in 2014, the RC has played a major role in promoting Lexus’s commitment to delivering a more emotional quality in the driving experience provided by its vehicles, with its sporty appearance and versatile driving character. The fresh new RC retains all the virtues of the current model, but takes them to a higher level by adopting the latest evolution of Lexus’s signature design language and sharpened driving dynamics inspired by the brand’s flagship luxury coupe, the LC. The exterior styling remains as sporty as the current model, but subtle changes in the details, inspired by Lexus LC design cues, imbue it with a new-found elegance. Inside the cabin, everything from the high-quality materials to the precise layout of controls and gauges was crafted to maximise driving pleasure. Enhancements have been made to the RC’s aerodynamics, tyres and suspension, and there are also improvements to engine response and steering feel, all of which reflect the “sharper and more refined” drive philosophy that was introduced by the LC. The new RC is more stable than ever under a wide variety of driving conditions. This provides a high level of driver confidence and a reassuringly flat ride quality, making the coupe an ideal grand tourer, whether you’re negotiating a twisty mountain road or simply making a long-distance commute on the open highway. ADOPTING THE EXTERIOR DESIGN LANGUAGE OF THE LC FLAGSHIP COUPE Lexus designers sought to maintain the RC’s dynamic coupe proportions, while adding a high level of elegance to the exterior. Key to achieving this was the addition of distinctive design elements, such as a new front bumper corner that flows down from the headlamps and a grille mesh pattern comprising shapes which gradually transform from top to bottom, creating an intriguing visual tension. The vertical arrangement of the extra-small triple LED headlamps and new L-shaped LED clearance lamps add to the car’s more distinguished appearance. Air ducts have been added to the corners of the rear bumper, resulting in better handling stability and enhanced overall driving response. A wider stance and lower centre of gravity reflect the car’s high ability to maintain grip in different road conditions. The rear combination lamps now house more pronounced L-shaped lenses that are a new signature design feature for Lexus coupes. Eleven different exterior colours will be available for the RC, including Naples Yellow and Sky Blue, shades which perfectly communicate the car’s dynamic nature. The new RC F Sport features the same grille mesh pattern that graces all Lexus F Sport models, together with many other custom exterior and interior items that are exclusive to this special grade. These include powerfully styled 19-inch alloy wheels, inspired by those used by the LS and LC luxury flagship sedan and coupe. DRIVING PLEASURE HEIGHTENED BY INTERIOR REFINEMENTS A brushed treatment has been applied to the heater control and audio panels, generating a higher sense of quality, while the knee pads either side of the centre console have been made larger and raised higher, creating a greater sense of space in the front of the cabin. The driver’s palm rest has been reshaped and a stitching pattern has been added to the surface, showcasing the designers’ high attention to detail. A new analogue clock, identical to the one in the LC, sits high on the instrument panel in another identifying feature of Lexus coupes. New ornamentation options, including real aluminium Naguri and Brushed Metal will be available for the RC F Sport. In all, RC customers will have five options to choose from. Interior colours include Ochre, which is also featured in the LC, and Mustard, which comprises subtle yellow accents on a black background. Seven interior colour combinations will be available, including those reserved for the F Sport. “SHARPER AND MORE GRACEFUL” DRIVING CONCEPT Adopting the driving concept of “sharper and more graceful” that defines the LC, Lexus engineers have aimed at making the new RC thoroughly fun to drive by focusing their attention on details, such as enhancing the car’s aerodynamics and fine-tuning the suspension system and powertrain. Endowed with a flatter and more stable ride quality and sharper handling characteristics derived from the LC, the new RC is more athletic and responsive than ever. Enhanced aerodynamics, achieved with details such as a new fin shape in the side window mouldings and a duct in the rear bumper, give the car better handling stability. New 19-inch wheels shod with higher-grip tyres support excellent steering response. New shock absorbers, which provide significant damping force from low suspension stroke speeds, and stiffer suspension bushings have also been introduced. The new RC underwent extensive real-world testing, with chassis engineers constantly fine-tuning performance, to improve ride and handling. The new Lexus RC will make its world debut on October 2 at the Paris Motor Show.

Limited edition version of the RC F coupe marks 10 years of Lexus’s “F” performance model designation RC F 10th Anniversary features exclusive Mercury Grey matt paint finish, gloss black exterior detailing and Blue Carbon interior upholstery New model’s launch coincides with RC F GT3 delivering race-winning performances in international competition It is 10 years since Lexus first introduced the concept of its “F” models – cars that are designed and engineered specifically to deliver exhilarating performance. To celebrate this landmark it has produced a special, limited edition of the RC F coupe, the RC F 10th Anniversary. Fittingly, this exclusive newcomer arrives at the same time as the RC F GT3 race car is achieving victories in international competition around the world, including victories in the Blancpain GT series in Europe and IMSA sportscar racing in the USA. The RC F 10th Anniversary is an exclusive version of the performance coupe and a worthy addition to a stable of driver-focused, F-designated cars that have included the IS F, the LFA supercar and the GS F saloon. The car’s powerful lines and sculpted surfaces have been given extra impact with a new matt paint finish in Mercury Grey, featured on a Lexus for the first time. The matt theme is also picked up in exterior elements such as the door handles, mirror housings, side skirts and shark fin antenna. This strikes a strong contrast with the highly polished black finish of the 19-inch multi-spoke forged alloy wheels. The Brembo braking system’s large callipers are visible through the wheel spokes, painted blue and bearing the evocative F logo. The same blue shade is used to edge the discreet F badging on the car’s front wings. The interior displays an even bolder application of the colour, with an exclusive Blue Carbon theme. The highly supportive front sports seats are finished in vivid blue semi-aniline leather with white accents and the F symbol embossed in the integrated head restraints. They also incorporate heating and ventilation functions. The same blue leather can be found on the gear shift knob, the steering wheel and the instrument panel hood, and the seatbelts are coloured to match. The steering wheel has a white band to mark the centre line and has an integrated heater. The detailing extends to the surrounds for the window controls on the door armrests having a striking carbon weave finish in blue, black and silver. The rear seats are wrapped in black leather and a black headlining, embossed with the F symbol, adds to the focused, sporting ambience. Each model is fitted with a discreet metal plaque recording the car’s Special Edition status, affixed to the driver’s door arm rest. Other features include the RC F Carbon Pack, equipping the car with a carbon fibre bonnet, roof and active rear spoiler, together with a Torque Vectoring Differential for superior handling through corners, Adaptive Variable Suspension and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management with Sport and Expert modes. The safety provisions are equally impressive, including Lexus Safety System +, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and a Blind Spot Monitor. The coupe is fitted with the highest-specification audio and multimedia package, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson Surround System and Lexus Premium Navigation with a 10.3-inch display and Remote Touch touchpad control. The RC F is powered by a naturally aspirated V8 engine that produces 457bhp and maximum torque of 520Nm, coupled to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission. Acceleration from rest to 62mph can be achieved in 4.5 seconds; top speed – electronically limited – is 168mph. The new Lexus RC F 10th Anniversary is on sale from 1 July (in the UK), price £69,995 GBP on the road. Lexus F – the first 10 years The exclusive F designation was first introduced on the IS F in 2008. The F reputation was further enhanced with the limited edition LFA supercar, of which just 500 were manufactured between 2010 and 2012. The F designation was subsequently applied to the performance-focused RC F coupe and GS F saloon, both models reflecting the technological skills gained during the development and production of the LFA – particularly the manufacturing know-how for carbon fibre reinforced plastic parts – as well as the car’s design philosophy for realising exhilarating and stimulating driving performance. By using the letter F to signify its most potent models, Lexus pays tribute to the Fuji Speedway and the Higashi Fuji Technical Centre at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan, which have been the cradle of the cars’ development. Lexus original intentions for the F line were to produce cars with muscular, athletic designs and authentic sports performance, and that are fun and rewarding to drive. At the same time, they would maintain the established Lexus values of sophisticated technologies, advanced safety, cutting-edge engineering and unmatched refinement and efficiency. The essential quality of the cars is expressed by the Lexus F-model engineer, who said: “There’s a perception that many performance cars are hard to drive. In fact, they’re easy in the right hands, because they’ve been purpose-built for the skill level of their drivers. It’s the same with the F cars which I have built to be enjoyed by all enthusiasts, no matter what their level of expertise. Electronics can be modified instantly on board to provide levels of performance and protection appropriate to each driver’s abilities. But even in their basic settings, they are a blast.” Lexus F models are developed with extensive testing on some of the world’s most famous and demanding race tracks, including the Fuji Speedway and the Nürburgring, to achieve the best possible dynamic performance, handling, responsiveness, power and even the quality of the engine note. The result is cars that deliver direct response, communicating a strong feeling of the driver being in control, no matter what the speed, the driving conditions, or the level of ability of the person at the wheel.