The Goodwood Test: Lexus RC

Heritage

The RC is a new sports coupe from Lexus, to rival the likes of the BMW 4-Series or Mercedes C-class Coupe. It appeared in concept form back in 2013 at the Tokyo Motor Show. Thankfully, it’s one of those production cars whose designers have been brave enough to keep the looks from concept form, with a little tweak here and there. In essence, it’s the two-door version of the IS saloon. Powertrains include the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine in the RC200t, which we tested, and the V6 petrol-electric hybrid (RC300h). There’s also a bonkers RC F, with a V8 under the bonnet, sending more than 400bhp to the rear wheels. But back to reality…

Design

Lexus does not shy away from bold styling these days, which we at Goodwood are thankful for, as are those customers looking for something a little different than a German coupe. There are curves, swoops, gullies, vents, flicks, sculpted bodywork and headlamps cut mercilessly in half by more bodywork. A long bonnet has at its nose the now familiar Lexus family “spindle” grille while the short rear overhang is dominated by side vents and crazy taillights protruding out from the metal.

Our test car sported F Sport trim, which means badges, 19in wheels and LED headlights in the styling stakes. Inside, a handsome dark red leather covering the four seats contrasts nicely with the F Sport white exterior paint. The trim level includes scuff plates, a special steering wheel and aluminium sports pedals. The steering wheel sports gearchange paddles to complement the eight-speed automatic gearbox. There’s a infotainment screen controlled by a touchpad between the seats as well as buttons on the steering wheel; press the menu function button on the wheel and the central dial housing the speedo and revs slides to the right to reveal a digital screen with all functions on it. A lovely, idiosyncratic touch by Lexus. There’s also everything you’d expect from a premium car: rain-sensing wipers, Bluetooth, aluminium trim, a rear parking camera, dual-zone climate control and heated, electrically adjustable seats.

Performance

It’s swift, with enough sporting pretensions to justify the sports coupe design. Something tells us we’d prefer this 2.0-litre engine kicking out 241bhp to the fierce RC F; the car suits a smaller, lighter powertrain, and when that turbo kicks in, you find yourself streaking very quickly down the motorway at, er, a little over 70mph before you wise up to what’s happening. Turn the dial to Sports mode, so even S+, and the car’s adaptive variable suspension tightens up, the gear ratios swapping at a quicker pace, the revs held for longer, the power sustained. Coupled to the rear-wheel-drive, the RC starts to demonstrate the new lease of life Lexus has been granted in the last eight years or so.

Passion

You’re never allowed to forget that you’re driving something Japanese here, which, given the nation’s background in building successful lairy four-seat coupes, is no bad thing. Our RC came as a light relief after a preponderance of European SUVs and saloons of late. It also came to Goodwood on the same day that Ben Collins, our chief tester, took the LFA round the circuit for a spin. That Lexus F badge has got some (in)credible DNA behind it, and it was with a song in our heart that we drove the RC200t F-Sport back up to London that evening.