Enough with Nissan and Subaru, let’s pave a way for Lexus for a while as they also have something special stored for the Tokyo Motor Show. Already winning the hearts and mind of the audience with their RC Coupe Concept, Lexus is more than glad to announce that the RC will drop its ‘Concept’ tag and reach the production lines in 2014.
Based on the GS platform, the RC is a stand-alone model rather than a two-door derivative of a sedan. So it means that it is nothing like the IS, having a wider, lower and a shorter wheelbase. The RC has the most extreme version of the spindle grille yet seen on a production car, then again we have grown into Lexus’ new design language.
This is not the first time Lexus is showing the RC, but we had no idea how much grunt this 4-Series challenger is churning out. Not anymore. The RC comes in two variant, one is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 314-horsepower at 6,400rpm and a peak torque of 280 lb-ft at 4,800rpm. It is mated to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift with paddle shifters adapted from the ISF to optimize power delivery and fuel economy.
The other one is the hybrid variant, housing a 2.5-liter four cylinder engine under the hood with a 105kW electric motor driven through an electronic CVT with six step gears in a sequential shift-matic feature, equalling to a total output of 217-horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The RC coupe will be offered in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, but the availability will vary by market.
