10 Things You Need To Know About The 2015 Lexus RC

2015 lexus rc

It's been a long time since Lexus was in the coupe game - the 90s, in fact, if one discounts the ultra-rare LFA exotic and the hardtop convertible IS and SC models.  The 2015 Lexus RC gives the Japanese premium brand a chance to play in the two-door luxury segment alongside luminaries such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, each of whom have enjoyed respectable amounts of success convincing buyers to sacrifice practicality for style in a daily driver.  The Lexus RC also allows the brand's F performance division another canvas on which to work its high speed magic, creating not one but two special versions of the coupe for enthusiasts to salivate over. 

Let's take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2015 Lexus RC.

01. The 2015 Lexus RC Is An All-New Design

The 2015 Lexus RC doesn’t just lop two doors off of its entry-level Lexus IS sedan sibling and call it a day.  While it's true that from the A-pillar forward the Lexus RC resembles its IS stable mate, including a prominent 'spindle' grille as is the fashion across the Lexus line-up, the vehicle also gains air inlets, a different bumper, and a new roofline that is more fastback than truncated sedan.  In fact, the entire rear of the RC has been re-imagined, with unique taillights, a dual exhaust system, and a spoiler that is integrated into the coupe's trunk lid.

02. The 2015 Lexus RC Features A Unique Chassis

Things get even farther apart between the coupe and the IS sedan when considering the details of the 2015 Lexus RC's chassis.  Rather than basing the Lexus RC on the similarly-sized IS, Lexus elected to swirl three separate models together in order to create something with its own special personality.  By taking a front-end architecture from the mid-size Lexus GS sedan and linking it to the IS' rear end by way of a middle section borrowed from the now-departed Lexus IS C convertible, the automaker has been able to create a coupe that offers a wider track front and rear, a shorter wheelbase, and a 1.1 inch increase in overall length when compared to the IS sedan. 

03. The 2015 Lexus RC Comes With V-6 Power

The default engine for the 2015 Lexus RC is a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that has been tuned to provide 306 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.  Lexus fans will be quick to recognize that these are the same numbers offered by the Lexus IS sedan, and indeed the Lexus RC 350 (the vehicle's full model name) borrows the four door's drivetrain largely unchanged.  The six-cylinder engine is somewhat unusual in its adoption of both traditional port fuel injection as well as direct fuel injection, a system that features more injectors than one would expect in order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions across a variety of different driving scenarios.

04. The 2015 Lexus RC Features F Sport Tuning

If you are looking for a version of the 2015 Lexus RC with an extra edge, then you can opt for the F Sport edition of the coupe.  The Lexus RC 350 F Sport doesn't make any changes to the engine sitting under the car's hood, but it instead focuses on improving its handling by way of adding thicker swaybars and a set of adjustable shock absorbers.  You also get larger brakes up front with the F Sport package, as well as track-ready brake pads, 19-inch rims, and quicker steering.  On the outside, the RC F Sport features a number of sporty trim changes that identify it as the RC 350's most aggressive edition.

05. The 2015 Lexus RC F Goes Whole-Hog

Of course, 306 horsepower simply isn't enough for certain would-be luxury coupe owners, and in recognition of this fact Lexus has built the RC F.  The 2015 Lexus RC F follows in the footsteps of the four-door Lexus IS F, with a number of important changes.  For starters, although the coupe features a 5.0-liter V-8 this unit has been massaged since it spent time between the sedan's front fenders, and it now produces a startling 467 horsepower and 389 lb-ft of torque.  This improved output has been made possible by swapping in new cylinder heads and a new intake, along with a number of other internal changes. 

The RC F also features a stiffer chassis, 15-inch brakes up front versus the 14-inch units found on the RC 350 F Sport, a limited -slip differential, and high performance tires.  If that's still not satisfactory, then Lexus will sell you a Performance package that grafts on a torque vectoring rear differential to assist with handling, as well as a carbon fiber rear spoiler and roof panel.

06. The 2015 Lexus RC Can Be Had With All-Wheel Drive

The 2015 Lexus RC 350 offers the option of an all-wheel drive system.  The Lexus RC's all-wheel drive attempts to balance both traction and performance by splitting torque 30 percent to the front and 70 percent to the rear during normal driving.  This helps to preserve the natural handling characteristics of a rear-wheel drive setup, but if things get really hairy out in the snow or rain, the system is capable of shuttling up to 50 percent of engine output to the front wheels.  The Lexus RC F doesn't get access to an all-wheel drive option.

07. The 2015 Lexus RC Presents Two Transmission Options

The addition of all-wheel drive has had an impact on the 2015 Lexus RC's transmission choices.  Rear-wheel drive versions of the Lexus RC - even the RC F - feature an eight-speed automatic gearbox that now offers an integrated g meter that helps the tranny decide how and when it should change cogs (under braking: downshift hard, for example).  You also get shift paddles on the base version of the RC, which is a nice touch for those who like to occasionally click through the gears themselves.  If you opt for all-wheel drive then you won't get to enjoy such an advanced transmission, and you'll also have to accept six speeds instead of eight.

08. The 2015 Lexus RC Offers Respectable Fuel Economy

Unlike other luxury coupes in the entry-level segment, the 2015 Lexus RC does not feature a four-cylinder engine option.  As a result, its fuel consumption is somewhat higher than the base model BMW 4 Series or Audi A5, checking in at 19-mpg in stop and go driving and 28-mpg on the highway.  Opting for all-wheel drive knocks a coupe of miles per gallon off of the highway rating but keeps the city figure intact, which is impressive considering you are also losing two forward speeds in the process.  Even the power-mad RC F posts 16-mpg city and 25-mpg highway, which speaks to the efficiency potential of an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

09. The 2015 Lexus RC Adds A Touchpad To Remote Touch

The 2015 Lexus RC features the automaker's Remote Touch vehicle interface.  Remote Touch consists of an LCD display paired with a new touchpad instead of the mouse-like controller found in previous versions of the system.  Is it an improvement?  It all depends on your perspective.  The older controller was somewhat jumpy and difficult to use while the vehicle is in motion, and provided you turn off the haptic feedback feature of the new touchpad, it's not quite as difficult to make a menu selection using your finger as it was with the mouse.

10. The 2015 Lexus RC Is Priced To Sell

The 2015 Lexus RC comes with a starting MSRP of $42,500.  This figure is roughly $3,500 less expensive than a comparably-powerful BMW 4 Series, and while you can't actually order a six-cylinder version of the Audi A5, it's considerably cheaper than the next-step-up S5 as well.  The Lexus RC's attractive pricing is no doubt part of an effort to lure would-be premium shoppers away from traditional German choices, and it's certainly part of the package when examining the Lexus RC F and it's $62,400 MSRP - a $2,200 chop off of the sticker found on the BMW M4.