Lexus RC 350 2014 Review

Say what you like about the spindle grille – people certainly do around the motoring.com.au office – but on the first approach of Lexus’s new RC 350 sports coupe, there can be no arguing that it stands out, particularly on the boldly-wheeled and brightly coloured F Sport versions lined up for assembled press to sample.

We’ve already covered the pricing and specification details on the Lexus RC 350 model range, which commences with the well-equipped Luxury variant at $66,000 (plus on-road costs) to significantly undercut Euro and home country opposition, but today we’re driving the F Sport (from $74,000 plus on-roads) and top echelon Sports Luxury (from $86,000 plus on-roads).

According to Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley, it is the F Sport that will be the hot seller of the group, with an estimated “forty to fifty per cent of anticipated RC sales”. Although not quoting a specific figure, Hanley suggests anticipated deliveries of “20 to 25 vehicles per month… with one dealer already having an order book stretching out to six months.”

The F Sport’s bespoke exterior finishes, louder colour palette and performance touches such as specific damper tuning for the variable suspension system it shares with the Sports Luxury variant certainly add to the attractive coupe’s road presence.

F Sport also gains the Lexus active rear steering system exclusively, reducing the turning circle by some 20cm and increasing agility, and tops it off with a variable-ratio steering rack that tightens response as you move from Eco, through Normal, Sport and Sport S-plus on the centrally-mounted driver preference dial. The rear wheels work in opposite phase to the fronts at speeds below 80km/h, then move into same-phase to aid high-speed stability.

Another area the F Sport gains is in braking, with 356mm two-piece front rotors clamped by four-piston calipers, where the Luxury and Sports Luxury models make do with 334mm fronts. It also benefits from a modified booster to provide more brake pedal response. All share 310mm rear rotors.

What the F Sport doesn’t receive, however, is a boost in engine power. A sole drivetrain is available across the range, including the familiar 3.5-litre petrol V6 which produces 233kW and 378Nm and is backed by an eight-speed torque converter-equipped automatic transmission. Power is fed to the rear wheels via an open differential, with no limited-slip option available.

Although Lexus boasts superior power figures to its direct competition, which includes the BMW 4 Series, Audi A5 and Infiniti Q60, what they don’t highlight is its fuel consumption of 9.4L/100km, far of the pace of turbocharged, four-cylinder German rivals.

The obvious question was asked: When will we see the new 2.0-litre Lexus turbo four? Hanley would only say that “if such an option became available, we’d be very interested,” although RC chief engineer Eiichi Kusama hinted that it was being looked at in the coming year.

As for the hybrid, to be available in Japan? “We will watch how it sells overseas and consider our position from there,” said Hanley.

Although the interior is immediately recognisable as Lexus, the RC’s coupe proportions suggest more intimacy within. Interestingly, the initial impression is of a relatively high seating position for a coupe, though the perfectly-sized sports steering wheel falls nicely to hand. A glimpse rearwards suggests rear-seat occupants would be cramped for head and leg room, despite the relative ease of access via a ‘one touch’ front seat movement and near-vertical entry.

Otherwise the interior is of the high standards of fit and finish expected, and even the third-generation Lexus Remote Touch interface is a vast improvement over the IS-line’s older system. In F Sport, the seats can be ventilated or heated, and the shift paddles for the auto are pleasant to the touch. Of course, a full suite of audio options is available, and the 17-speaker Mark Levinson system is as good as any in this category.

Firing up, the V6’s sound is enhanced via an active generator, which basically amplifies the sound of the intake pulse. It’s a natural sound, especially compared to the BMW, but in pulling away the Lexus remains refined, emitting a lovely V6 howl as revs rise.

Compared to the modern turbos in this category, the V6 needs revs – over 4000 of them per minute – to really give its best, and as a result it uses even more fuel than the claimed consumption on the drive: try 15.1L/100km.

Yes, there was a mountain pass or two in that figure, but also a long section of ambling in eighth gear. While on the gearing, despite there being a multitude of options, there’s an odd gap between second and third gear on twisty roads that sees the engine either at its 6600rpm redline or falling away in third.

Braking proves solid with good resistance to fade and a pedal that allows modulation, and the stability control and traction systems are well judged, working unobtrusively to aid the driver. The RC 350 rides well in any mode, although body control could be tauter given the hyberbole surrounding the car as Lexus’s ‘current halo’ that was ‘benchmarked to the Porsche 911’.

On a bumpy, slippery surface the RC 350 feels its mass and is light-on for front-end grip, with a leaning towards untelegraphed understeer. Trail braking to move the weight onto the front wheels does aid turning, but given its supple ride and amount of roll these conditions should see it shine over its harder-riding opposition.

Later, the rear-steer system’s effectiveness is demonstrated on a slalom course where we are invited to drive F Sport and Luxury variants back-to-back, the Active rear steer of the F Sport sharpening the line and requiring less steering input to change tack, the end result being a more agile, responsive platform that aids the driver in avoiding obstacles, so long as you remain smooth with your inputs.

A move into the Sports Luxury disappoints, at least externally, the top-spec RC 350 fading behind its brasher brother with its subtler exterior treatment. That sense fades away as soon as you settle into the cockpit, however, the ambience of semi-aniline leather and softer surfaces bringing a feeling of well-being. Driven with cruising rather than bruising in mind, the Sports Luxury proves a lovely companion with good road manners, only the roar of front 235/40 and rear 265/35 19-inch Bridgestones impeding the cabin, though it’s quieter than BMW’s 4 Series.

On initial acquaintance, the RC 350 range proves value packed and a lovely tourer, though lacking the final degree of interaction and efficiency that can be found in various German doses. It does however have us salivating at the prospect of the V8-powered RC F… which could well be the 911 challenger the brand is wishing for.

2015 Lexus RC 350 F Sport pricing and specifications:
Price: $74,000 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol
Output: 233kW/378Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.4L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 217g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: N/A