ge4665531679534407249
ge5695700000009142525
ge5574627265906994845
ge4961363477464748718
ge5090209999504144344
Mike Sinclair12 Mar 2014
NEWS

Lexus RC coupe set for 2014 Oz debut

Toyota luxury brand to release its all-new RC coupe range Down Under this year

Lexus has confirmed it will launch its all-new RC coupe range in Australia before the end of this year.

And with turbo-petrol, hybrid, F Sport and, eventually, F high-performance variants within the model mix, the Toyota-owned luxury brand is looking to use the all-new model break the German brands’ domination of the mid-size coupe segment.

The new RC debuted almost simultaneously at last November’s Tokyo and Los Angeles motor shows. Since then, the V8-powered RC F super-sport concept version of the coupe has been unveiled in Detroit and, most recently, last week’s Geneva motor show played host to the debut of the production F Sport variant.

The F version of the rear-wheel drive coupe is firmly a 2015 proposition, say insiders. For the time being, therefore, the highest performance RC available for the road will be Geneva’s F Sport.

Powered by Lexus’ existing 234kW/380Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6 and fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the variant is also likely to be top-selling RC Down Under.

Key to the F Sport’s differentiation is significant changes to its GS-based chassis. Lexus claims the coupe gets “exclusively tuned front and rear suspension hardware”. It also offers the option of Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and the Lexus Dynamic Handling (LDH) system which features rear steering.

A body kit, unique alloy wheels and interior tweaks augment the dynamic package.

Lexus Australia insiders today confirmed the company was confident of launching the RC range, including the F Sport, before the end of 2014.

“The car goes on sale in Japan in the fourth quarter and we’re keen to have it in showrooms here at around the same time,” our source told motoring.com.au.

At this stage only the 300h four-cylinder petrol hybrid and 350 petrol V6 powertrains are confirmed for the RC in Australia. It is almost certain, however, that the coupe will be sold Down Under with Lexus’ first turbo-petrol engine -- the same 2.0-litre engine earmarked for the all-new NX compact SUV.

Lexus will employ racing version of the new 2.0-litre turbo engine in its RC F-based entry into the 2014 All-Japan Super GT series. The Lexus will compete in the top GT 500 category of the championship, which kicks off on April 6.

Aligned with Germany’s DTM series regulations, GT500 will this year dump the existing 3.4-litre V8 engines and opt for 2.0-litre turbocharged fours. DTM is expected to make the switch in 2015 or 2016.

Lexus will also take the RC coupe racing in at least one other category in 2015. The Geneva show also saw the unveiling of a full-house GT3-spec racing RC that will be supplied to teams contest appropriate championships in Europe, Asia and North America in 2015.

Do you own this car or one similar? Review and rate it via carsales’ owner review hub

Register to comment on this article.

Share this article
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Download the carsales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © CAR Group Ltd 1999-2024
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.