RC Coupe Receives a Refresh

When will the new RC coupe officially make its debut?

The revamped coupe will officially be rolled down the runway at the Paris Motor Show in early October. However, prior to the unveiling, Lexus is offering the market an early look at some of its improvements.

Improved handling

The RC coupe was introduced in 2014. This year’s version will show a series of subtle updates. Specifically, Lexus says these updates will improve the vehicle both as a driver’s car as well as a grand tourer. The company is referring to the vehicle as both “razor-sharp and extremely supple”. Of course, we will have to wait for the eventual test drives to confirm just how much the handling has improved.

>>Join the conversation about the refreshed Lexus RC right here in Club Lexus.

Improved performance

Complementing the vehicle’s improved aerodynamics, Lexus has honed the RC's suspension and powertrain. More specifically, there are new shocks and stiffer bushings to go along with a new set of 19-inch wheels.

Additionally, the car's footprint has been adjusted and its center of gravity has been lowered. The rear-wheel-drive RC300's 2.0-liter turbo engine has also had its throttle response fine-tuned.

In terms of the car’s aerodynamics, subtle changes have been made to its side window moldings and a new rear bumper duct to aid airflow and to make the RC more stable on the road. But as far as power figures, we will have to wait until the car is officially released to market.

>>Join the conversation about the refreshed Lexus RC right here in Club Lexus.

Subtle updates to the exterior

At first glance, most Lexus aficionados will note that the RC's looks remain largely unchanged. However, take a second look and you’ll see that alterations have been made to the headlights and bumper corners along with the spindle grille's mesh. The headlights are now one-piece (as compared to the old split design).

Worth noting: There is a set of new colors to choose from including Naples Yellow and Sparkling Meteor. The interior colors and trim have also been updated: Black leather seats are now available with Mustard Yellow side bolsters as an option. And there’s also a new analog clock included, borrowed from the LC, as well as other interior styling improvements influenced by the bigger coupe sibling.

>>Join the conversation about the refreshed Lexus RC right here in Club Lexus.

So, what’s the conclusion here?

All things considered, the refreshed approach to the RC coupe is a welcome one. Clearly, the designers at Lexus were keen on some of the appearance options available in the LC vehicles, drawing heavily from that line. And that’s not a bad thing. Now, we’ll just await the test drives to see how the car can handle.

>>Join the conversation about the refreshed Lexus RC right here in Club Lexus.

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