Lexus RC200t and RC300 AWD
Lexus
is putting its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine into the RC coupe, creating the RC200t; it’s also
adding a new V-6, all-wheel-drive model, the RC300 AWD. The moves expand the
coupe offerings and bring the RC into line with the IS sedan. The RC200t already was
introduced for Europe in the summer.
As
it does in the IS sedan, the 2.0-liter turbo four in the RC200t puts out 241
horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The RC200t, which is rear-drive only, uses
an eight-speed automatic, just like the rear-drive RC350. Also like the
rear-drive RC350, the RC200t offers an optional F Sport package.
For
its part, the RC300 AWD uses the same 3.5-liter V-6 as the RC350. But whereas
it delivers 306 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque in the latter model, output
is cut to 255 horsepower and 236 lb-ft in the RC300. Like the AWD RC350,
the RC300 gets a six-speed automatic. So the RC300 is not really an upgrade
over the 200t as it is the entry-level all-wheel-drive version.
Indeed,
both these new models lower the threshold of RC coupe ownership. The RC200t
starts at US$ 40,935, versus US$ 43,720 for the RC350 (a savings of US$ 2785).
The entry figure for the RC300 AWD is $ US$
43,550, while the RC350 AWD checks in at US$ 45,955 (making the lesser version US$
2405 cheaper). Meanwhile, beckoning those with more cash to spend—a minimum of US$
63,745 for the 2016 model—is the RC-F with its 467-hp, 5.0-liter
V-8.
