Is a turbo four cylinder sporty enough for the Lexus RC coupe?
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Is a turbo four cylinder sporty enough for the Lexus RC coupe?

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By DanGoAuto - 24 August 2015

IT HAS taken a quarter of a century for Japanese brand Lexus to forge a reputation for itself as a maker of large luxury sedans and SUVs with impeccable customer service, but after 25 years in the business, it is now turning its attention to other segments.

As the third addition to the Lexus RC range, the RC200t will be the most efficient and the lightest, and is likely to cost less, too.

While a more, dare we say it, mature audience has formed a strong and loyal following, Lexus has plans to maintain its longstanding fans while pursuing a younger customer with altogether more sporty and driver-focused models.

First to arrive was the RC350 coupe which brought stunning looks, a proper rear-drive two door dynamic proposition and a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6, followed later by a mighty V8-powered RC F.

When the stonking 351kW 5.0-litre RC F arrived it looked like Lexus may have its first BMW M4 and Mercedes C63 rival.

While the initial variants met virtually all the sporty coupe criteria, with high-revving non-turbo engines and sizeable kerb weights, fuel consumption was a frequent criticism.

But now, the Japanese car-maker is preparing to add one more variant to the RC range and a new more affordable, more efficient and lighter RC200t could add the final missing element to Lexus’ thirty-something hunter.

Arriving in December, the new addition will bring 180kW and 350Nm to the range thanks to its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and the best fuel economy of the range. On the combined cycle, Lexus says the RC200t will use 7.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.

It may seem strange to see the T-word under the bonnet of a Lexus but get used to it because forced induction is the way of the future.

Compare that with the soon to be mid-range RC350 and you have an improvement of 2.0L/100km but at a cost of 53kW. That said, with a smaller and lighter engine up front, the entry level version will still crack 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds – 1.4 seconds slower than the V6 version.

Straight-line performance is just one element intrinsic to a sports coupe, but with a lighter nose the turbo RC is likely to have a more playful nature in the twisty bits although it may not compete with the RC350 F sport and RC F which have more sporty suspension and a clever rear-steer system.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the new version is almost certainly going to have a more accessible price tag costing about $8000 less than the V6. That would pitch the RC200t at less than $58,000 – way below the less-powerful Audi A5 Coupe and BMW 420i that start from $68,200 and $70,000 respectively.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission which uses a number of different information sources, including a G-force sensor to select and hold the right gear.

First on the scene was the V6-powered RC350, bringing a vocal free-revving engine and fuel consumption to match.

The engine in the RC200t marked the start of turbo power for Lexus when it debuted under the bonnet of its NX200t small SUV, but since that appearance the four cylinder has gained 5kW.

After the coupe, the turbocharged engine and eight-speed transmission drivetrain will go on to power a new version of the RX larger SUV and then the GS large sedan. Lexus has a packed diary for its new efficiency-focused unit.

But for every new arrival, often sacrifices must be made. In the case of the new turbo, it will be the ageing 2.5-litre V6 engine which will be slowly retired from the Lexus range. With 153kW and 252Nm the six-cylinder unit has too much of a drinking problem for today’s ever tightening economy and emissions standards.

The new RC range is the latest in a bloodline of Lexus coupes that began with the SC grand tourer, which eventually morphed into a convertible over two generations and like the new RC, also had a choice of front engines V6 or V8 power and rear drive – but never something with a turbo.

And who could forget the company’s most famous coupe, neigh, the company’s most famous model to date? With a monstrous 412kW Formula 1-derived V10 engine, top speed of 326km/h and acceleration to 160km/h in 7.6 seconds, the LFA was a masterpiece.

It may have be powered by 10 cylinders, 412kW and could crack 326km/h, but the brutal LFA has more in common with the RC than you might think.

Squint at the RC and you can see little hints of the LFA super-coupe peeping back at you.

It wont have quite the punch of its V-engined cousins, but the new Lexus RC200t will have the same head-turning looks, a tempting price, sharp handling and more wallet-friendly running costs. Could the latest Lexus coupe offering be the pick of the bunch?

Daniel Gardner GoAuto.com.au

Protect your Lexus. Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.