Manufacturer Lexus (Toyota) Model years 2015–present | Production 2014–present Class Compact luxury car | |
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Assembly Japan: Tahara, Aichi (Tahara plant) Designer Tatsuya Takei, Yasuo Kajino (2012) | ||
The Lexus RC (Japanese: レクサス・RC, Rekusasu RC) is a compact premium coupé manufactured by Lexus, Toyota's luxury division. The RC which according to Lexus stands for "Radical Coupe" is a two-door coupé version of the Lexus IS (XE30). The RC is designated as the XC10 series. The RC borrowed styling from the LF-LC concept and was previewed by the LF-CC concept.
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RC (2014–)
The Lexus RC was unveiled in 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.
The RC has a shorter wheelbase than the XE30 series IS though it is longer overall. The platform shares the front end of the L10 series GS, midsection from the XE20 series IS convertible, while the rear componentry is from the XE30 series IS. The RC has three LED lamps in the triangular headlights and 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels as standard, or 19-inch ten-spoke rims as option.
Japan model were set to go on sale in the second half of 2014. Early models include RC 350 and RC 300h. US sales began in November 2014. In Japan, ownership of the version with the 5.0 litre engine is expensive due to the annual Japanese road tax obligation.
Initially, the RC was available with a choice of three engines; the RC 300h with the 2.5-liter 2AR-FSE inline-four engine mated to a continuously variable transmission, the RC 350 with the 3.5-liter 2GR-FSE V6, and the RC F with 5.0-liter 2UR-GSE V8. The RC 200t, featuring a 2.0-liter 8AR-FTS I4 turbocharged petrol engine, was added to the range in late 2015. All-wheel drive is offered for the RC 300h and RC 350.
RC F (2014–)
The Lexus RC F is a high performance version of the RC with the 5.0-liter 2UR-GSE V8 engine with Atkinson cycle at cruising speeds, eight-speed automatic transmission sending the power to the rear wheels. The RC F is equipped with vertical G-sensor for VDIM, Torque Vectoring Differential (TVD) with three operating modes, Standard, Slalom, or Track, front and rear coil-spring independent suspension, monotube gas-filled shock absorbers and ball-jointed stabilizer bars, three new 19-inch diameter forged aluminum wheels, spindle grille with F-mesh pattern on the lower half, unique front hood which raises the peak of the vehicle, hood air vent from the LFA, front cooling ducts, front fender ducts in the L shape, exclusive combination meters from LFA (a large centrally mounted tachometer that alters according to drive mode, digital and analog speedometer, differential torque vectoring monitor, G-force meter, oil and water temperature gauges, mileage information and a stopwatch), elliptical cross-section thick grip steering wheel, all-new high back seats, ornamentation and pedals, Brembo four-wheel power assisted disc brakes with anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA), 19x9-inch front and 19x10-inch rear wheels, 255/35R19 front and 275/35R19 rear tires.
The vehicle was unveiled in the 2014 North America International Auto Show.
The aerodynamic package includes an active rear spoiler, tuning of the underbody, the intakes in the grille and the front fender vents and aero stabilizing fins.
The carbon fiber package, or known in Japan as Carbon Exterior Package, includes a clear coated carbon fiber roof and active rear spoiler from the LFA and the carbon fiber engine hood.
United States model went on sale in November 2014 as 2015 model year vehicle.
Japan model was set to go on sale in the second half of 2014.
Production
The carbon fiber package parts for the RC F were made at the Aichi plant after the end of the LFA production.
The Toyota AA80E 8-speed transmission used in the RC F was built by Aisin AW.
Super GT
The RC F has given its name to a GT500 class competitor in the Super GT series in the 2014 season replacing the SC430 that had been raced for 7 years. The car scored 4 victories by Team TOM'S at Okayama, Suzuka, and Buriram and Team ZENT Cerumo at Sportsland SUGO with the new technical regulations.
IMSA
3GT Racing, a partnership of Lexus and Paul Gentilozzi, developed a GT3-class RC F during 2016. The team will enter two cars at the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, having signed Scott Pruett and Sage Karam as drivers.