Lexus RC coupe to get world debut at Tokyo

• Concept-to-reality coupe that takes Lexus into new territory
• High-performance V6 petrol and hybrid powertrains that accentuate the RC’s sporting nature
• New Lexus styling direction in a dedicated coupe, including the strongest interpretation yet of the trademark Lexus spindle grille
• Driver’s cockpit design, with dedicated trim and high-contrast colours, emphasises the RC’s fun-to-drive character
• The all-new Lexus RC will make it world debut at the Tokyo motor show in 20 November.

Two versions will be unveiled: the RC 350, with a 3.5-litre V6 engine; and the RC 300h hybrid, with a 2.5-litre unit.

The new RC brings to life Lexus’s focus on giving its cars emotional appeal. A desirable two-door coupe, it is designed to raise the brand’s profile with a wider audience and customers who are new to Lexus. At the same time it displays elements that are fundamental to Lexus: build quality, refinement and reliability.

Exterior design

The designers have endowed the RC with deeply contoured lines of a kind never before seen on a Lexus and crafted the widest and lowest-set interpretation yet of the Lexus spindle grille.

Triangular headlamps capture the sporty characteristics of the earlier LF-LC concept, along with the novel three-lamp LED configuration that was part of the show car’s design.

At the rear, the sharp, thin appearance of the rear combination lamps follows the shape of the Lexus L motif.

The aluminium wheels further express the concept-to-production design philosophy, with two designs: a deeply sculpted, 10-spoke 19-inch wheel and a muscular, five-spoke 18-inch version. Both are precision-machined and finished with elegant black and platinum caps.

The hero colour for the RC is red, with a new Lexus painting process giving brighter and stronger contrasts through using multiple layers of clear and deeper-coloured coating.

The RC measures 4,695mm long, 1,840mm wide and 1,395mm high, with a 2,730mm wheelbase.

Interior design

The four-seat interior of the RC is also strongly influenced by Lexus’s sports concepts, reflected in the extensive use of contrasting colours, materials and lighting.

The purpose-designed lighting package gives a sense of occasion, with illumination that reflects upwards rather than down to envelop the cabin.

The high-contrast trim, including a striking new colour called Clove, emphasises the elegant lines around the interior, together with shimamoku highlights – a genuine wood finish created using an intense layering technique refined by Lexus.

The driver’s cockpit follows the established Lexus design principle of an upper operation zone and lower display zone. The upper zone houses the instrument panel and seven-inch navigation screen; lower down the layered centre console integrates the Remote Touch Interface controller.

The seats are made using an integrated foaming construction, similar to the moulding technique used for racing seats, to provide excellent comfort and support.