Lexus RC 2016 News

Another week, another high-powered V8 joins a highway patrol unit, ostensibly to help keep our roads safer.

New Lexus coupes set to arrive later this year or early 2015.

The RC-F is a successor to the Lexus IS F sedan and gets an updated version of the IS F's 5.0-litre V8 engine. However Lexus promises power will trump the current 330kW and we've suggested the coupe may receive an increase of 32kW to 343kW.The video shows the performance coupe's sporty looks with a large spindle grille and aggressively-styled bumpers and side skirts.

The images fill in more of the gaps after the alleged engine details escaped via a debut invitation late in December.The sporty looks have been dialled up with the back-facing bonnet and front fender vents seen in the previous RC F teaser image joined by aggressively-styled bumpers and side skirts, a large spindle grille, trapezoidal quad exhaust system and carbon-fibre roof aimed at trimming the weight down below the exiting IS-F's 1700kg.There are three choices of 10-spoke 19-inch forged alloy  wheels -- the top spec being hand-polished. It's possible carbon-fibre may be underneath the show livery on other parts as well, while we're expecting to also hear about suspension upgrades for the new car, while Motor Authority suggests there will also be some performance enhancements adapted from the Lexus LFA supercar.Lexus has confirmed these include an active rear wing that deploys at speeds over 80km/h and retracts when you wind back down to 40km/h. The interior features more carbon-fibre with metal accents, chunky steering wheel,  leather sport seats with an F embossed on headrests and large-screened infotainment system.As a successor to the IS-F sedan, the RC-F carries the performance baton for Lexus, and the leaked engine details suggest that baton will be carried by an updated version of the IS F's 5.0-litre V8. Lexus has confirmed today that the power will be "well above" 330kW and we've suggested earlier that it could deliver 343kW (a lift of 32kW) and eight-speed automatic.It's not known yet whether torque will also rise above the exiting car's 505Nm, but it's been tipped it could get around another 40Nm. We're yet to get the performance details, but Lexus would be keen to shave even a little off the the IS F's 4.9 seconds for the 0-100kmh sprint and perhaps raise the top speed of 274km/h.

Lexus has already released two teasers and a tiny trickle of information for the RC F Coupe ahead of its debut at the Detroit motor show in a couple of weeks. But the best detail to come to light so far has been the leak of what's said to be engine figures in an alleged debut invitation.If that leak -- sent to autoblog.com from 'an anonymous tipster -- is the real deal, the RC F will be powered by a 5.0-litre V8 we've previously suggested will be a tweaked version of the one in the IS F delivering 343kW (a lift of 32kW). It's not known yet whether torque will also rise above the carryover 505Nm, but some reports have suggested it could get close to another 40Nm.Of course, the truth of the 'leaked' engine and power depend on whether the leaked invitation is real. It's linked to a matching website, which would be a lot of trouble for somebody to go to just as a red herring. And a cynic might suggest it could have been leaked by Lexus themselves.We've also heard suggestions that the RC F has been the subject of some weight-trimming strategies to have it tip the scales well under the IS F's 1700kg -- including a carbon-fibre bonnet, roof and bootlid -- which should help performance exceed that of the IS F's 4.9 seconds for the 0-100kmh sprint and top speed of 274km/h.

The first teaser showed the front wheel, three-quarter panel bearing an 'F' badge and a headlight cluster echoing the recently debuted RC coupe.

One of the more stylish cars to make an entrance at this year's Tokyo motor show was the glamorous new Lexus RC Coupe. Although based on the GS platform, the RC Coupe is a stand-alone model -- rather than a two-door derivative -- and differs in all dimensions to both the IS and GS lines.And the two-door is just about a year away from our showrooms. Lexus says the RC Coupe is production ready and will go sale in overseas markets towards the end of 2014, and we will get the car very close to its Japanese release.DESIGNIt's a real work of art. The emotionally charged RC boasts the widest and lowest application yet of the signature Lexus spindle grille. Sitting 30mm wider, 35mm lower and 70mm shorter in wheelbase than the new IS line, it has a more aggressive stance. The unique headlamp design adopts the symbolic Lexus L-shaped motif front and rear, while the car rides on 18 or 19 inch wheels.INTERIORA highlight of the interior is the specially designed back lighting which shines up rather than down. Genuine layered Shimamoku wood highlights are used to emphasise the surrounding trim while the driver’s cockpit is divided into operational and display zones. The upper zone houses the instrument panel and a seven-inch navigation screen while a layered centre console integrates a new Lexus first Remote Touch Interface. The form fitting seats created using a new foam process have been designed to ensure optimum occupant comfort and support.TECHNOLOGYThe RC coupe is powered by the same drivetrain choices as the IS sedan: either a 2.5-litre hybrid or 3.5 litre V6 -- the latter with an eight-speed Sports Direct Shift transmission (with steering wheel paddles) adapted from the IS F and optimising power delivery and economy. The power output per litre of the RC is second only to the $700,00 LFA supercar -- the dual injection 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine produces 234kW of power at 6400 revs and 380Nm of torque from 4800 revs.The hybrid combines a dual-injected 2.5-litre four cylinder engine with a 105kW electric motor for a combined output of 161kW and 221Nm, with drive to the rear wheels through a six-step CVT style transmission.To go with its racy good looks the sound generated by the engine has been tuned to ensure it delivers a more stirring note. Advanced technology includes upgraded Blind Spot Monitor and a new innovative Remote Touch Interface, which controls the audio and navigation systems. The RC is the first Lexus to adopt the upgraded Blind Spot Monitor system which detects vehicles that are approaching from behind at a higher speed and from a greater distance.UNDERPINNINGSRC uses double wishbone front suspension and multi-link suspension at the rear. Lighter and stronger the purpose-built chassis is designed to provide a world class driving experience, as epitomised by improvements in both the GS and IS lines. Extra thick underbody rocker panels increase the car's rigidity and new manufacturing techniques pioneered in the IS and LS models, including the use of body adhesives - have been used to strengthen the chassis. Aerodynamic aids, especially on the underbody, contribute to the handling package.Watch the desktop version of the Lexus RC Coupe video here.This reporter is on Twitter: @IamChrisRiley_______________________________________ 

Lexus has officially revealed the new RC model in Tokyo today, with the new two-door coupe set to sit alongside the new IS sedan when it arrives locally in 2014.The RC styling clearly references the LF-CC concept shown at the Paris motor show in 2012, and the name comes as no surprise, with the Japanese luxury brand trademarking the ‘RC 350’ badge with IP Australia shortly after the LF-CC’s debut.Lexus’ use of specific nomenclature for the two door follows a similar strategy to rivals Audi and BMW with the A5 and 4 Series, and their relationship with the respective A4 and 3 Series sedan models.  Despite the LF-CC’s role in previewing the styling of the IS sedan, the new model looks to share little sheetmetal with the four-door, with a more shapely iteration of Lexus’ L-Finesse design theme, including the most prominent spindle grille design to date.The aggressive details continue at the rear, with sharp cutaways at each corner reminiscent of the controversial LF-NX SUV concept.The RC’s interior design is an evolution of the IS range, with integrated foaming construction for the seats that promises to optimises comfort and support.Lexus has also confirmed the coupe will come fitted with versions of the IS 350 and 300h’s 234kW 3.5 litre V6 and 162kW hybrid 2.5 litre drivetrains, with the two door models to be known as RC 350 and RC 300h.Lexus has also revealed key dimensions for the RC, which is 30mm longer, 35mm lower, and 30mm wider than the IS sedan, and rides on a 70mm shorter wheelbase with seating for four.A hardcore ‘F-Sport’ performance version is also expected down the track, with pumped-up coupe mules already sighted testing at the Nurburgring, and reports that Lexus has also trademarked the ‘RC F’ moniker.

No details were released with the teaser, so we can only guess what the Japanese automaker has in store. The teaser shows the headlight of the concept as well as part of its grille. The design of the light resembles the design used on the 2014 IS sedan as well as the LC-CC concept from 2012, which served as a preview of the latest IS as well as the automaker's upcoming RC coupe.The new concept could well be a preview of another Lexus model still in the works: a compact crossover tipped to be called the NX. However, a concept version of the NX is thought to be on track for a reveal at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show in late November. This means that the teaser is likely to be for a new coupe concept that will preview the aforementioned RC.The RC is essentially an IS coupe and is expected to land in showrooms next year as a 2015 model. It will compete against the Audi A5 and BMW 4-Series and will spawn an RC F performance variant. Lexus has major motorsport ambitions for the RC and has already announced that a version of the car will compete in Japan’s Super GT touring car series.www.motorauthority.com 

Lexus' LF-CC Coupe Concept, shown at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, was a brilliant exercise in design and proportion--but it was clearly concept-only, despite hints that it might presage a production model. This appears to be that production model, the 2015 Lexus RC F. The latest images show the car testing on the Nordschleife. Earlier shots showed the car in testing on city streets.Why RC F? Because Lexus recently trademarked the name, as an expansion of the also-trademarked RC name. Given Lexus' penchant for somewhat sensible names, the C likely indicates a coupe. In fact, we expect the RC to be the coupe version of the IS sedan. The LF-CC was taken as a preview of the IS, in coupe form, at the time of its unveiling, as well. From the design elements seen in these spy shots, we can see the proportions of the LF-CC have held through to the current development vehicle quite clearly. The RC F's dimensions are tipped to be 4700mm long and 1845mm wide, with it riding on a 2730mm wheelbase. Details such as the extremely narrow headlights, blade-like side scoop, and involuted rear diffuser found on the LF-CC concept have been replaced by simpler, more production-oriented designs.Other differences include larger tail lights, stacked exhaust outlets (like on the current IS F) and what appears to be a functional centre hood vent on the car spied in testing. Inside the cockpit of the RC F, there is a dashboard and centre stack very similar to that found in the 2014 IS sedan.So what will power the RC F? Some reports are suggesting it will carry over the high-output 5.0-litre V8 engine found in the outgoing IS F sedan, which delivers 311kW of power and 505Nm of torque -- though even more is possible.Lexus IS chief engineer Junichi Furuyama hinted last week that the 5.0-litre V8 could be dropped because of its difficulty meeting Euro 6 emission standards, and be replaced by a completely new engine for the F model. We'll update you with more details and information as the car progresses through its development cycle, which should come to completion in time for a full unveiling sometime in 2014 as a 2015 model.www.motorauthority.com