2015 Lexus RC 300h is a hardcore hybrid cherry coupe

Wed, 20 Nov 2013

Lexus is tag-teaming back into the hardcore coupe ring with this, the red rum RC 300h that's jumping off the top rope to "[inject] emotional appeal into the Lexus DNA." It's the hybrid version of the twin, powered by a 2.5-liter V6 aided by a 105-kW electric motor, the pair putting out 217 total horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque through a continuously variable transmission. The RC's other, more conventional half will come with a 3.5-liter V6 with 314 hp and 380 lb-ft shifted with an eight-speed sequential transmission.

The brand doesn't want you to take this RC Coupe for a two-door version of the IS. It's based on the GS platform but its dimensions are unique, being wider, lower and shorter in wheelbase than the IS. Concept-car headlights flank the most extreme version of the spindle grille yet seen on a production car, and the lighting novelty continuing in the cabin with illumination that is aimed up instead of down. The package will ride on either 18- or 19-inch wheels.

The "high contrast," dual-zone cabin is graced with shimamoku wood and Lexus' Remote Touch Interface, and Lexus says the seats have been conceived via an "integrated foaming construction method" like racing seats – we think they look spectacular stitched up in this carmel-colored leather.

It's all about the driving eventually, though, the promise of the RC backed by a body made more rigid through supplemental adhesive in its construction, thicker rocker panels, underbody aerodynamics, double wishbones in front and a multi-link suspension in back. We're told the RC will exhilarate drivers instead of overwhelm. Rear-wheel drive will be standard, all-wheel drive will be offered in select markets.

There are live images above, an expanded gallery of press shots below and a press release with even more tidbits awaits your perusal.

Lexus Unveils All-New RC Coupe
- Striking Concept-to-Reality Coupe to Launch in 2014
- Development Focus on Body Rigidity Ensures Agile Performance
- New Lexus Dedicated Coupe with the Most Aggressive use yet of the Iconic Spindle Grille
- New Remote Touch Interface Implements Intuitive Touch-Sensitive Design
- New Generation Technologies and Advanced Manufacturing Techniques Utilized in Vehicle Development

TOKYO (Nov. 20, 2013) - Lexus unveiled its striking new production-ready RC coupe, scheduled for launch in 2014, at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. The RC raises Lexus' profile with a broader audience, injecting emotional appeal into the Lexus DNA which has become well known for building quality, refinement and reliability.

"Our focus is to strengthen the brand's emotional appeal through our products and RC is another demonstration of this focus," said Mark Templin, Lexus International executive vice president. "The emotional attachment of a coupe is found in its purity of design and its engaging driving experience, and with RC the engineers have achieved the balance."

"We developed RC to deliver extra response that exhilarates rather than overwhelms drivers, in keeping with the true spirit of Japanese hospitality, or omotenashi.," noted Junichi Furuyama, RC and IS chief engineer.

RC is part of a ride and handling revolution at Lexus, which started with GS mid-size luxury sedan and continued with the new IS sport sedan. The RC is a stand-alone model, rather than a two-door derivative of a sedan. Based on the GS platform, the coupe differs in all dimensions from the GS and IS lines.

The aggressively styled coupe will be available with two powertrains:3.5-liter V6 teamed with an eight-speed sequential transmission and 2.5-liter Lexus Hybrid Drive system.

Design Exterior
The RC has been infused with deeply contoured lines, integrating the widest and lowest application yet of the Lexus spindle grille. It is unique in the Lexus range – 1.2-inches wider, 1.4-inches lower and 2.8-inches shorter in wheelbase than the new IS sedan, providing a road stance that emphasizes the attraction of a luxury two-door vehicle.

The unique headlamp design adopts the symbolic Lexus L-shaped motif front and rear. There are two choices of aluminum wheels – a deeply sculpted 10-spoke 19-inch and a muscular five-spoke 18-inch.

A new red exterior paint color is made brighter and shows more contrast thanks to a new painting process.

Design Interior
Highly acclaimed sports concept vehicles have greatly influenced the RC interior, making maximum use of contrasting colors, materials and lighting.

A purpose-built Lexus-first lighting package provides a great sense of occasion, with illumination that reflects upwards, rather than downwards, to envelop the cabin. High contrast interior colors emphasize design lines and accentuate the elegant cabin. Genuine shimamoku wood highlights – the result of an intense, layered wood production technique refined by Lexus – are used to emphasize the surrounding trim.

The driver's cockpit is divided into operational and display zones. The upper zone houses the instrument panel and a seven-inch navigation screen while a layered center console integrates a new Lexus-first Remote Touch Interface.

The seats utilize an integrated foaming construction method, much like the molding of racing seats, to ensure optimum occupant comfort and support which is important in a sport coupe.

Driving Dynamics
The RC's strong and purpose-built chassis is the latest evolution of Lexus' objective to achieve a world class driving experience, epitomized by the improved performance of both the GS and IS lines.

Extra thick underbody rocker panels greatly increase the two-door's rigidity to support driving performance. New manufacturing techniques pioneered in the LS and IS models, including the use of body adhesives, have strengthened the chassis.

Aerodynamic aids, especially on the underbody, contribute to the handling package.

RC uses double wishbone front suspension and multi-link suspension at the rear.

Powertrains
The dual injection 3.5-liter V6 gas engine produces maximum power of 314 hp at 6,400 rpm, and peak torque of 280 lb.-ft. at4,800 rpm.

An eight-speed Sport Direct Shift with paddle shift transmission adapted from the ISF performance sedan optimizes power delivery and fuel economy. In manual (M) mode full torque converter lock up from second to eighth gears allows for down changes in just 0.2 seconds.

The hybrid variant – the first Lexus hybrid coupe – uses a dual-injected 2.5-liter four cylinder engine with a 105kW electric motor driven through an electronic continuously variable transmission with six step gears in a sequential shift-matic feature.

The RC coupe will be offered in rear wheel drive and all-weather drive (AWD), however availability will vary by market.

The sound generated by the engine has been tuned to ensure it delivers a stirring exhaust note under spirited driving conditions.

Advanced Technology
The RC offers several advanced technology features including an updated Spot Monitor and newRemote Touch Interface (RTI).

RC is the first Lexus to adopt the revised Blind Spot Monitor system which detects vehicles that are approaching from behind at a higher speed and from a greater distance than is covered by the current system.

The innovative touch-sensitive Lexus Remote Touch Interface for audio and navigation systems is particularly important in a coupe in which tactile reaction is a desirable part of the driving experience.

Specifications RC 350 RC 300h
Length (in.) 184.8 184.8
Height(in.) 54.9 54.9
Width (in.) 72.4 72.4
Wheelbase(in.) 107.5 107.5
Seating capacity persons 4 4
Driven wheels Rear-wheel drive Rear-wheel drive
Engine type 2GR-FSE 2AR-FSE
Cylinders V6 L4
Horsepower 314 hp @ 6,400 rpm 176 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque 380 lb.-ft. @ 4,800 rpm 163 lb.-ft. @ 4,800 rpm
Total System Output - 217 hp
Transmission 8AT E-CVT
Suspension Front:Double Wishbone
Rear:Multilink Front:Double Wishbone
Rear:Multilink
Tire 255/35 R19 (front)
275/35 R19 (rear) 255/35 R19 (front)
275/35 R19 (rear)

*Japan specification

By Jonathon Ramsey