Lexus updates RC sportscar range

LEXUS Australia has given its two-door RC sportscar range a light refresh, with improvements to interior specification, safety technology, and dynamic enhancements for the top-spec V8-powered RC F.

The Japanese manufacturer has added its ‘drive start control’ to the RC F, which is a system that manages power and torque delivery and according to the car-maker, enhances the car’s rear-wheel dynamics. The control system does not engage when the traction control system is turned off.

Owners can now individually customise their preferred powertrain, chassis and air-conditioning settings with custom mode added to the ‘drive mode select’ program.

The range-topping RC F Carbon, which adds carbon-fibre elements over the regular F, has swapped out its carbon-fibre bonnet for an aluminium one, resulting in a $6248 reduction in price to $152,300 plus on-roads. It still has a carbon-fibre roof, active rear wing and throughout the interior.

Only $149 has been added to the price of the RC F, which comes in at $138,100.

No changes have been made to the RC F’s free-breathing 5.0-litre V8, which continues to pump out 351kW at 7100rpm and 530Nm between 4800-5600rpm.

On all variants, the old 7.0-inch infotainment screen has increased to 10.3 inches, and with it the multimedia system and Lexus remote touch pad.

A bolstered Lexus Safety System active technology package now includes a pre-collision safety function, an updated lane departure warning system that includes steering assist and steering wheel vibration alert, automatic high beam and simplified switchgear for the radar active cruise control.

Zinnia Yellow has been added to the RC F’s colour palette, while Titanium replaces the Sonic Silver hue. The 20-inch alloy wheels now have a matte finish.

Tweaks to the other powertrains in the range, consisting of a 3.5-litre aspirated V6 and a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot include a new dual-injection system that reduces emissions and consumption, tweaked variable valve timing and an integrated catalytic converter.

The RC350 V6 output has fallen 1kW and risen 2Nm to 232kW/380Nm, while the 300 four-pot remains steady at 180kW/350Nm.

Lexus offers Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury variants on the 300 and 350 model grades, which now starts at $65,400 for the RC300 Luxury.

The old RC200t name has been dropped in favour of RC300, following similar changes to the NX and RX.

Prices for the RC300 have increased by $531, $809 and $299 for the Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury, respectively.

Meanwhile, the RC350 prices have gone up by $299 and $749 for the Luxury and F Sport, while the Sports Luxury has dropped $91 to $87,900.

In 2017 Lexus sold 370 examples of the RC, down 28.6 per cent over its 2016 figure.

The first two months of 2018 have seen a sales boost of sorts, with 62 new registrations – up 59 per cent year-on-year.

2018 Lexus RC Line pricing*

RC300
Luxury	$65,400
F Sport	$74,700
Sports Luxury	$84,900
RC350
Luxury	$68,400
F Sport	$77,700
Sports Luxury	$87,900
RCF
RC F	$138,100
RC F Carbon	$152,300

*Excludes on-road costs