What's the news?
The stunning looking coupé you see before you is the all-new Lexus RC, which will be making its world debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in a couple of weeks. The RC is said to have been designed to attract a new line of customers to Lexus, and comes with two petrol engines to befit its sporty appearance.
Exterior
Leaving the mighty LFA aside, the RC is the first coupé to come from Lexus since the Soarer back in the '90s; and with this in mind Lexus has made sure that this new one's a looker. With a profile similar to that of the Toyota GT86, the long, low slung bonnet ends with the lowest and widest version of Lexus' spindle grille to date. The grille is bookmarked by bespoke LED headlights that bear the company's 'L' logo when on low beam. Moving rearwards you'll find an abundance of styling creases before reaching the stubby back end where more logo-bearing light clusters reside. Keeping the car off the ground are new 10-spoke 19-inch aluminium wheels; although smaller five-spoke 18-inch items are likely to be standard.
Interior
Pictures of the RC's cabin are likely to be kept under lock and key until the car's debut in Tokyo; however we do know that two company firsts are to feature inside. The first is the ambient lighting that projects light up as opposed to down; this is designed to "envelope the cabin" according to Lexus. The second is the Remote Touch Interface that controls the seven-inch navigation screen built into the RC's dashboard. This control panel has been integrated into the centre console, which itself has been made a part of Lexus' new 'layered' dashboard design. Interior trim is said to feature high contrast colours as well as a new wood production technique known as 'shimamoku'.
Mechanicals
At launch there will be two powertrains available for the RC comprising of one petrol/electric hybrid and one petrol-only engine. The hybrid 300h model features a 2.5-litre engine connected to the car's electric motor, while the RC 350 comes with a 3.5-litre V6. No performance figures are been announced as yet.
Anything else?
More information on the Lexus RC will be announced at the company's press conference at the Tokyo Motor Show on 20th November. Both the RC 300h and the RC 350 are expected to be on display in Tokyo.
James Giddings - 4 Nov 2013