This isn't a super car though. It's a Luxury Sport Coupe. Needs to be more elegant. I don't think it belongs on the non F-Sport but that's just me

 

Audi's 3.0T makes about 360 - 370. Stock in the S4 12.8 - 13.5 seconds in 1/4 mile. An N55 335i is around there too - BMW's engine is WAY underrated, although it does have more top end power than the 3.0T, and is a bit lighter than the S4.

Jaguar's engine is in an entirely different type of car, but it is supercharged - not a turbo. It is basically their V8 with 2 cylinders chopped off (which is also supercharged). It likely rather accurate in power listings, and runs high 13's or 14's.

Cadillac's TT V6 is probably dead on in power listings as well, and will run 12.8 by magazine testing (corrected), so expect real world around 12.8 - 13.5.

My point is, if Lexus doesn't underrate the engine (and they typically don't), an IS350 F-Sport with less than 350-360 HP simply isn't competitive ON A POWER-TO-POWER comparison. The chassis is still solid and fun to drive, and regardless, it will make more than 306 HP, with the resulting massive torque available resulting in a much more fun car to drive.

It would just be nice to be competitive in the numbers game, as that's all we can argue about on the internet.

 

Doubt it.... I would say this RC debut is 99% production ready..

The rear vent design is already & quickly being implemented onto the MY14 CT200h rear bumpers...





~ Joe Z

 

i think rear vents on both CT200h F-Sport and RC give the car a bit of aggression... it makes the back more interesting - usually back is almost forgotten by many manufacturers, so overall I like a lot both examples.

 

^same here

 

Well that's a huge disappointment to hear this is not the final production version. Come on Lexus! What's the point of showing this if it isn't 100% the production version? That just pisses off a lot of Toyota/Lexus fans and potential customers for this car.

As for the 3.5L, it does seem to be upgraded a little bit, with those higher power and torque numbers. I don't think that's just lost in translation from Japanese figures. Toyota's US press release also quotes the same figures. I'd be very surprised to see much lower numbers for North America.

I'm also impressed to see that amazing Shimamoku wood being offered on the RC and refreshed CT.

 

not sure why 'aggression' is good in a car that's only as fast as a prius.

 

Well by that logic most of the bandwagon "aggressive" designs out on the market today wouldn't make sense. Hyundai, Mazda, VW, GM and on and on all have "aggressive" styled small cars for sale that are also very slow.

I'm sure a higher-power CT is coming, but I guess it's not ready yet. The styling fits the overall handling performance and sporty feel of the car.

Truthfully this car still looks very classy and elegant, with only some small aggressive touches. It's still a lot more tasteful than many of the overstyled compact sedans and hatches on the market.

 

Very impressed with what I see so far. I needed a new car now and couldn't wait another year for this to come out. If I was going to wait to buy this car I would have gotten the RC with the 2GR. Loved it in the 2008 IS350 I had. Got an A5 with a six speed manual as I am a total stick shift diehard and that was the one thing I missed not having it available in the Lexus. Also going to guess a RC with the 2GR is going to run 55k...or am I wrong?

So much better looking than the new IS350

 

Where is it noted that this isn't the production version? I really hope at least the headlight lighting remains the same. It's time to move away from traditional projector setup and add more design flair to their headlights.

 

It was reported that hard cutting belt line that goes over last quarter of the car will be less cutting. Don't know if its going to impact other details like that other hard cutting line at the front or any other details for that matter.

 

55k loaded? sounds like something like that.

 

Has Lexus announced pricing on this car yet or estimates?

 

dealers said it was suggested that it would be $4-5k more expensive than IS... so thats about 55k loaded.

there is no official pricing and there wont be for at least 5-6 months.

 

Was at a Lexus dealer today and the salesman said that the RC coupe will be more like the GS inside than the IS. Can anyone confirm or deny this? The GS interior has a lot more luxurious feel to it and the added contrast stitching on the dash and door panels are a nice touch. Wife is looking for an upscale coupe and if the RC ends up with an interior similar to the GS, it will likely be our first Lexus.