Lexus RC300h

Lexus RC

From 48.100 euros
  • Bodywork coupe
  • Doors 2
  • Plazas 4
  • Power 223 - 464 hp
  • Consumption 6,2- 6,4l/100km
  • Trunk 340 liters
  • Assessment 4,3

Lexus It is a brand with a clear passionate trend. Its products stand out for their design, quality and reliability. Although sales in Europe are not bad, the main markets for the Asian brand are Japan and the United States, where they like its premium atmosphere. The Lexus RC is, along with Lexus lc, the most passionate product of a brand with a conservative and classic approach. Without forgetting of course the extinct LFA.

The 2013 Tokyo Motor Show was the setting chosen by Lexus for the international presentation of the RC. From the first moment it attracted attention for its extravagant and elegant design. Classic coupé lines covered with design touches that were already advanced with the launch of the previous concept, the LF-LC.

At the end of 2018, the Lexus RC undergoes a mid-cycle restyling. A small facelift that is used to include a small facelift and a slight improvement in the mechanical and technological sections. By the way, out of curiosity, to say that the initials RC respond to the name "Racing-Coupé".

Technical characteristics of the Lexus RC

With the launch of the RC, Lexus enters a market that it had hitherto discovered. Not since the demise of the LFA have the Japanese had a coupe, and never before in this size.. For its creation, a platform created based on remnants of other products, such as the Lexus IS and Lexus GS, although with a completely different set-up given the sporty character.

The measurements of the Lexus RC take us to the 4,7 meters long, 1,84 meters wide and 1,39 meters high. To these dimensions we must add a wheelbase of 2,73 meters. A battle that translates into a cabin reserved for a maximum of four passengers. The last two sausages in very small rear seats and only usable by children or adults on short trips.

With only one body for sale, there is no convertible version, the RC has a correct use of the trunk. Although it is not the figure that matters the most in the RC, you have to know that it cubes a fixed volume of 340 liters. This capacity cannot be extended since it is not possible to fold down the rear row of seats. The total weight of the Lexus RC is 1.775 kilograms.

Mechanical range and gearboxes of the Lexus RC

When it comes to mobilizing the RC, Lexus has raised a very extreme range of options. The offer is made up of two units. On the one hand, a high-power naturally aspirated gasoline block, and on the other, a medium-power, high-efficiency hybrid assembly. all versions they send the power to the rear axle, and management is diverted to a CVT automatic gearbox continuously variable type.

The hybrid version comes under the name 300h. It uses a four-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine that develops 181 horsepower. A nickel-metal hydride battery and an electric motor are attached to the block. The complete set develops a maximum power of 223 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque.. Although its performance is not consistent with the image, it obtains low consumption, with an approved data in mixed cycle of 6,2 liters per 100 kilometers.

On the other side of the scale is the RC F. The sportiest unit uses a naturally aspirated gasoline engine with eight cylinders in vee that gives off a total of 464 horses and 520 Nm of torque. This configuration is mainly designed for the American market, although it stands out for its good levels of performance and high comfort. With the restyling of 2019 this unit loses power, although it gains in performance figures.

Equipment of the Lexus RC

The Lexus RC is faithful to the premium philosophy of the Japanese firm. Its interior employs a range of high-quality materials completed with a detailed manufacturing process and without gaps. Leather-covered surfaces, aluminum trim and the complete absence of Pianno Black convey a sense of very high perceived quality, raising the comfort level of its occupants.

The range of equipment is arranged in four levels: Business, Executive, F Sport and Luxury. In each of them, the technological load is increased while the exterior appearance is slightly retouched thanks to particular details such as the bumpers and the wheels, with a maximum size of 19 inches. The packages are very closed, so there is not much room for customization. Defect that its most immediate rivals do not share.

As far as equipment is concerned, the RC has many state-of-the-art systems. Lots of technology that focuses on making life on board easier. It is worth noting the presence of LED headlights, keyless entry and start, electric seats, sunroof, rear camera, connectivity for mobile devices, browser and multimedia system with a 10,3-inch panel. All this is completed with a wide deployment of driving assistants and safety elements.

The Lexus RC on video

The Lexus RC of Km 0 and second hand

The Lexus RC is a little-known model on the market and that means a certain shortage of units in the Km 0 and second-hand channels. Despite this, it is known in the industry for its attractive design, its comfortable behavior and its high reliability. These factors give a value of depreciation around 20%, being one of the best data within the category.

The few units for sale are found in the second-hand channel. Since it is a car that the customer prefers to acquire new, the Km 0 stock is non-existent, even for models after the 2019 restyling. Second-hand prices start in amounts close to 26.000 euros for hybrid models from 2016 with about 90 thousand kilometers accumulated. The values ​​of the RC F with V8 increase considerably, always above 60.000 euros.

Lexus RC rivals

Like all Lexus models, the RC takes on the premium category. That means that it faces a market not very popular for sales, but highly acclaimed by its most immediate rivals. Among his enemies we find the Audi A5, BMW Serie 4 and Mercedes C-Class Coupe. All of them are contenders for size and price. The Japanese stands out for its unmistakable and elegant design, in addition to being the only one that offers a hybrid variant, something that is not particularly relevant in a market as passionate as that of sports coupes.

Highlight

  • Quality
  • Design
  • mechanical reliability

To improve

  • Limited mechanical range
  • habitability
  • hybrid performance

Lexus RC Prices

Given the category of the RC, its prices are according to the market and the characteristics. This leaves us with a high budget. In the cheapest of cases the Lexus RC has a starting price of 48.100 euros for the Spanish market, without offers or promotions. That data corresponds to a 300h variant with a Business finish. The most expensive of the family is the RC 300h Luxury, whose price starts at 60.200 euros. All units arrive with the DGT ECO label.

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