Just as the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show officially opened its doors that will remain open for the public until December 1, Lexus dropped a more comprehensive set of photos and shared some additional (but not yet full) details on its new RC (just don’t call it an IS Coupe, even though that’s what it is at heart).
The powertrain information concerns the Japanese domestic market model that will launch worldwide in the second half of 2014. In its home market, Japan’s best attempt yet against the BMW 4-Series will come in two initial flavors, the RC 350 and the RC 300h hybrid.
In RC 350 trim, the coupe sports Lexus’ dual injection 3.5-liter V6 lump capable of producing 314hp (318PS) at 6,400 rpm, and peak torque of 280 lb.-ft. (379Nm) at 4,800 rpm, paired to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift with paddle shift transmission adapted from the IS F sedan. According to Lexus, “in manual (M) mode full torque converter lock up from second to eighth gears allows for down changes in just 0.2 seconds.”
The milder and more frugal sibling of the RC 350 is the RC 300h, Lexus’ first production hybrid coupe. It uses a dual-injected 176hp (178PS) 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine linked to a 105kW (141hp) electric motor driven through an electronic continuously variable transmission with six step gears in a sequential shift-matic feature, with the system delivering a combined output of 217hp (220PS).
Lexus said that it will offer both rear and all-wheel drive versions of the RC, pointing out, however, that “availability will vary by market”.
Information regarding the RC’s lineup for North America, Europe and other regions around the world will be announced at a later date.
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