Lexus RC 2018 pricing and spec confirmed

Lexus Australia has ushered in its updated RC sportscar with boosted safety levels, interior upgrades, dynamic improvements and price adjustments.

The RC350 Sports Luxury and RC F Carbon are the only two variants in the eight-tier line-up to cop price cuts, down $91 and $6248 respectively, with the latter partly owing to the removal of its carbon-fibre bonnet in favour of an aluminium panel.

Otherwise, price increases range from $149 for the RC F to $809 for the RC300 F Sport, with these premiums justified by the aforementioned specification adjustments.

Thus, the RC line-up now starts from $65,400 before on-road costs for the RC300 Luxury, topping out at $152,300 for the flagship RC F Carbon.

The Japanese carmaker’s suite of advanced driver-assist safety technologies expands to pedestrian detection for the auto emergency braking system, haptic steering-wheel feedback for the lane departure warning system, steering assist and high beam assist as well as simplified switchgear for the adaptive cruise control.

Inside, a 10.3-inch central display replaces the previous 7.0-inch unit, while the multimedia system has been upgraded to the latest software and the touch-pad controller is larger than before.

Variants fitted with the adaptive variable suspension now have access to a custom driving mode, allowing drivers to adjust powertrain, chassis and air-conditioning settings to their individual tastes.

The entry-level RC200t variants have been renamed to RC300, reflecting Lexus’ new nomenclature for the 180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine under their bonnet.

A revision of the 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine in the mid-range RC350 variants has resulted in a 3.2 per cent improvement in fuel economy, to 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres, and a 2.3 per cent drop in carbon dioxide emissions, to 212 grams per km.

However, power output has taken a 1kW hit, to 232kW, while peak torque has lifted by 2Nm, to 380Nm.

The 5.0-litre atmo V8 petrol engine in the RC F variants continues to punch out 351kW/530Nm, but a ‘Drive Start Control’ system has been added “to ensure smooth starts and optimal rapid acceleration when the driver is using the shift lever”, according to marque.

Specifically, it manages power and torque delivery to enhance dynamics but is inactive when the driver opts to switch off traction control.

The RC F Carbon also picks up a new matte finish for its 20-spoke alloy wheels.

All RC variants exclusively send drive to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission with torque converter.

'Zinnia Yellow' – first seen on the recently released LC sportscar – has been added to the colour palette, while 'Titanium' replaces 'Sonic Silver'. Premium paint continues be a $1500 option.