Lexus surprised the audience at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show with the introduction of a new type of coupe. Dubbed the RC, Lexus is strengthening their current lineup with an attractive and aggreesively styled model based on the GS platform. With either a 3.5L V6 powerplant or a more fuel efficient 2.5-litre hybrid system, the production ready car will sure capture the interests of many for the years to come.
Read more in the press release below
Lexus today unveiled its striking new production-ready RC coupe at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, scheduled for launch in 2014. The RC raises Lexus’ profile with a broader audience, injecting emotional appeal into the Lexus DNA which has become well known for build quality, refinement and reliability.
RC is part of a ride and handling revolution at Lexus, which started with GS and continued with the new IS. It 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: 3.5L V6 teamed with an eight-speed sequential transmission and 2.5L hybrid system.
Chief engineer Junichi Furuyama, also in charge of the IS line, said RC was intended to engage with owners on an emotional level.
“We dared to use ‘sexy’ as our design catchphrase because the various images the word brings to mind represent a frank expression of the new frontiers the RC opens for the Lexus brand,” Mr Furuyama said. “Motoring enthusiasts have always aspired to own coupes for one reason: coupes look cool – sexy even. We developed RC to deliver extra response that exhilarates rather than overwhelms drivers, in keeping with the true spirit of Japanese hospitality, or omotenashi.”
Lexus International executive vice president Mark Templin said growing the emotional appeal of Lexus will allow the brand to engage with a broader audience. “Our focus is to strengthen the brand’s emotional appeal through our products and RC is another demonstration of this focus,” Mr Templin said. “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.”
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 – 30mm wider, 35mm lower and 70mm shorter in wheelbase than the new IS line, 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.
The hero color is red – a brighter, more contrasting shade made possible by 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 envelope 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.
Importantly for a coupe, the seats utilize an integrated foaming construction method, much like the moulding of racing seats, to ensure optimum occupant comfort and support.
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.
LEXUS RC COUPE POWERTRAINS
Specific power output per liter of the RC is second only to the super-sports LFA in the Lexus range.
The dual injection 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine produces maximum power of 318hp at 6,400rpm, and peak torque of 280 lb-ft at 4800rpm.
An eight-speed Sports Direct Shift with paddle shift transmission adapted from the IS F optimizes power delivery and efficiency. In M (manual) mode full torque converter lock up from second to eighth gears allows for down changes in just 0.2 sec.
The hybrid variant – the first Lexus hybrid coupe – uses a dual-injected 2.5-liter four cylinder engine with a 105kW (143hp) electric motor driven through an electronic continuously variable transmission with six step gears in a sequential shift-matic feature.
Depending on market requirement, the RC coupe will drive either through its rear wheels or be available in all weather (AWD) configuration.
The sound generated by the engine has been tuned to ensure it delivers a stirring note under spirited driving conditions.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Advanced technology includes upgraded Blind Spot Monitor and new Remote Touch Interface (RTI).
RC is the first Lexus to adopt the upgraded 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.
