New turbo engine set to join RC350 and RC300h coupe after 2014 market launch
That's quite a flashy-looking car . . .
It certainly is. What you see here in official pictures is Lexus' first-ever coupe _ the RC, based on the IS saloon, that makes its world premiere at this month's Tokyo motor show.
Inspired by last year's LF-LC concept, the RC bears many imposing lines around the car such as signature lights, air vents, front grille and C-pillar design.
The RC's interior shares many similarities with the IS, which isn't surprising because these two rear-wheel-drive cars are related.
Does the RC replace the IS-C?
The RC isn't a pure replacement for the IS-C, which was a two-door IS with a folding hard-top to double as a coupe and convertible. But in marketing terms, the RC is a sort of successor and serves as a rival for BMW's much-lauded new 4-series Coupe.
Lexus says the RC measures 4,695mm in length and 1,840mm in width, making it slightly larger than the 4-series. However, the RC's 2,730mm wheelbase is 80mm shy of the Bimmer's.
Another of the RC's key rivals is the Mercedes-Benz E-class Coupe (as seen on the right). The Audi A5 Coupe is the other, although it is a front-wheel-drive coupe.
I'll try to keep that in mind. And the engines?
RC shares many similarities with IS inside.
Lexus has announced two versions for the RC initially including the RS350 powered by a V6 petrol and RS300h propelled by a 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid.
No further details have been released, although the automatic transmissions should be the eight-speed and CVT accordingly. Lexus says there will be a third engine option to be announced later.
What could that be?
It could be a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, a first for Lexus using forced induction technology for a petrol motor. In fact, Lexus has separately announced that this new turbo unit will also make its first appearance in Tokyo.
Lexus hasn't spoken of the technical details of it, either, although the engine will lurk beneath an updated version of the LF-NX crossover concept, first shown to the world in Frankfurt last September with a 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid.
They're really after the Germans . . .
The much-anticipated move _ as revealed by Life last year _ will bolster the brand's position against BMW and Mercedes-Benz which are already offering petrol-turbo engines in Thailand in the 3/5-series and C/E-class.
The other obvious candidates to eventually get the 2.0-litre turbo unit are the IS compact saloon, GS executive car, RX sport-utility and market-ready version of the LF-NX.
And when will the NX go on sale?
According to reliable sources, the BMW X3-rivalling SUV will be shown in production form in Geneva early next year. Expect the NX and RC to be launched in Thailand just before mid-2014.
Both the 2.0-litre petrol-turbo and 2.5-litre petrol-electric engines will be tax-friendly in Thailand, and Lexus can use both of them to attract two different sets of buyers.
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