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A punchy V6 propels Lexus's first purpose-built sports coupe - it's thirsty, hefty and fun to drive. The RC350 is designed to make a statement for Lexus - a loud one, judging by its in-your-face front-end design.
The bold and brassy new trademark "spindle grille" may not be to everyone's taste but it certainly catches the eye. And so does the price of Lexus's first purpose-built sports coupe: $66,000 for the cheapest 'luxury" model.
That price is considerably lower than similarly equipped German rivals and it marks a new strategy of making Lexus the "accessible" luxury brand. It's also a departure from Lexus's dependence on hybrid technology, as it is powered by a V6 that is anything but environmentally friendly.
DESIGN
The front end could be criticised for being too busy yet the car looks great in profile, with muscular haunches, low-slung roofline, long snout and big machine-finished 18-inch wheels. By design or coincidence it looks a bit like a modern interpretation of the Toyota Supra.
Inside there are penalties to be paid for the raked profile; headroom for the driver is less than generous, while even kids could feel a little claustrophobic in the rear seats, where head and legroom are at a premium. Access to the rear is relatively simple, though, with the front seats sliding forward at the press of a button.
Elsewhere the cabin is a good mix between sportiness and luxury, with quality materials, tasteful ambient lighting and modern graphic displays. The mouse-style touch pad to control the infotainment takes a bit of getting used to, though.
ABOUT TOWN
The RC350 is well equipped to take on the daily commuter grind, with comfortable heated and ventilated seats, quiet cabin and high-quality audio. As with most sports cars, rear vision isn't great, although it compensates with a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.
Unfortunately it misses out on safety equipment available on more expensive models in the range. It also has no fuel-saving stop-start technology. In heavy traffic, the RC350 is thirstier than its rivals.
ON THE ROAD
As a sports car, the RC350 is pretty heavy, weighing in not too far shy of Falcon and Commodore territory. That weight is discernible in hairpins and tight corners but overall the Lexus is rewarding and precise on twisting country roads, with good steering feedback and impressive body control. On choppier surfaces you feel the bumps, but the ride is comfortable for a sports coupe.
PERFORMANCE
The 233kW V6 likes to rev and sings sweetly when pushed hard, although it doesn't provide the crackle and burble of, say, an Audi TT. The eight-speed auto provides relaxed, smooth changes when cruising around town, or more rapid responses when the drive select system is in sport.
For a big car it gets off the line pretty smartly. Lexus claims a 0-100km/h time of 6.3 seconds, which is quick but about half a second slower than the claim of the similarly priced, turbocharged four-cylinder BMW 228i. It's also thirstier, with an official combined city-country rating of 9.4L/100km.
VERDICT
The RC350 is a great entry point to luxury sports tourer-style driving. It's well equipped, stands out from the crowd and has a classy cabin with quality finishes. It is thirsty and heavy for a coupe but the pay-off is a car that is loads of fun to drive.
WHAT IT HASN'T
The cheapest model doesn't get blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, active cruise control, auto high beam or rear cross traffic alert for backing out of driveways. No stop-start either.
OWNERSHIP
Lexus's four-year, unlimited kilometre warranty is more generous than some of its luxury rivals but it doesn't have capped price servicing. This is a new model so resale is hard to judge. Lexus has a reputation for A-grade reliability and customer service.
PICK OF THE RANGE
The more expensive models get more safety gear and adaptive suspension but the cheapest model in the range delivers plenty of fun without breaking the bank.
ALSO CONSIDER
- BMW 228i $64,400 Great to drive, silky engine and transmission, but light-on for creature comforts.
- Audi TT 1.8 $69,350 Killer looks, great exhaust note, elegant cabin but missing some features at the price.
- Mercedes-Benz C250 $70,900 Sleek looks, badge cred, punchy turbo engine but due to be replaced this year.
