Brussels, Belgium,
18
January
2019
|
12:02
Europe/Amsterdam

European Dynamic Press Launch Press kit Lexus RC January, 2019

INTRODUCTION

A GLIMPSE INTO THE LIFE OF AN EXPERIENTIAL MASTER

Lexus is pleased to welcome you to Malaga and the Gran HotelMiramar, the starting point for our journey. The hotel faces the Mediterranean and La Malagueta Beach, and is located just a 15-minute walk away from the Alcazaba citadel, the bay and the city centre.

It is in this picturesque environment that we invite you to stand in the shoes of what Lexus calls the Experiential Master – its target customer who thrives on vibrant experiences and wishes to share them with family, friends and colleagues.

They live by the “work hard, play hard” principle. During theworking week they drive their business choice of car, the LexusES, that provides all the comfort and refinement they need. At the weekend, or when holidaying in southern Europe, they can explore their playful side and their passion for driving with their second car, the Lexus RC.

Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the winding roads of southern Spain in the sharpened new RC 300h luxury coupe, or take a longer ride in the tranquil comfort of the all-new ES 300h.

EVEN SHARPER AND MORE REFINED. LEXUS REIMAGINES ITS RC LUXURY SPORTS COUPE

· THE NEW RC GAINS A SPORTY-YET-ELEGANT EXTERIOR THAT DRAWS ON THE SVELTE DESIGN LANGUAGE OF THE LC FLAGSHIP COUPE

· INTERIOR REFINEMENTS HEIGHTEN DRIVING PLEASURE

· THE NEW RC IS INSPIRED BY THE “EVEN SHARPER AND MORE GRACEFUL” DRIVING CONCEPT OF THE LC, ACHIEVED THROUGH MASTER CRAFTSMANSHIP

Since its introduction in 2014, the RC has played a major role in promoting Lexus’ commitment to delivering a more emotional quality in the driving experience provided by its vehicles, with its sporty appearance and versatile driving character. The fresh new RC retains all the virtues of the current model, but takes them to a higher level by adopting the latest evolution of Lexus’ signature design language and sharpened driving dynamics inspired by the brand’s flagship luxury coupe, the LC.

The exterior styling remains as sporty as the current model, but subtle changes in the details, inspired by Lexus LC design cues, imbue it with a new-found elegance. Inside the cabin, everything from the high-quality materials to the precise layout of controls and gauges was crafted to maximize driving pleasure.

Enhancements have been made to the RC’s aerodynamics, tyres and suspension, and there are also improvements to engine response and steering feel, all of which reflecting the “even sharper and more graceful” drive philosophy that was introduced by the LC. The new RC is more stable than ever under a wide variety of driving conditions. This provides a high level of driver confidence and a reassuringly flat ride quality, making the coupe an ideal grand tourer, whether you’re negotiating a twisty mountain road or simply making a long-distance commute on the open highway.

 

DESIGN REFINEMENTS INSPIRED BY THE LC FLAGSHIP COUPE

· THE NEW RC GAINS A SPORTY-YET-ELEGANT EXTERIOR THAT DRAWS ON THE SVELTE DESIGN LANGUAGE OF THE LC FLAGSHIP COUPE

· INTERIOR REFINEMENTS HEIGHTEN DRIVING PLEASURE

Lexus designers sought to maintain the RC’s dynamic coupe proportions, while adding a high level of elegance to the exterior. Key to achieving this was the addition of distinctive design elements, such as a new front bumper corner that flows down from the headlamps and a grille mesh pattern comprising shapes which gradually transform from top to bottom, creating an intriguing visual tension. The vertical arrangement of the ultra-compact triple LED headlamps and new L-shaped LED clearance lamps add to the car’s more distinguished appearance.

Air ducts have been added to the corners of the rear bumper, resulting in better handling stability and enhanced overall driving response. A wider stance and lower centre of gravity reflect the car’s ability to maintain high grip in different road conditions. The rear combination lamps house more pronounced L-shaped lenses that are a new signature design feature for Lexus coupes.

The two-door RC coupe presents an impressive low profile and wide stance, with its compact cabin contrasting with the powerfully flared wings and deeply sweeping lines across the contoured body. Key dimensions are a 4,700 mm overall length, 1,840 mm overall width, 1,395 mm height and 2,730 mm wheelbase.

Creating these powerful character lines requires advanced press technologies that surpass conventional production line standards, and have, hitherto, been reserved for concept vehicles alone. The resultant, powerfully three-dimensional forms constantly change in appearance as you move around the car, creating a striking presence when viewed from any angle.

In conjunction with the narrowest possible panel gaps, the coupe’s low, sleek proportions are enhanced by the use of two advanced construction technologies: a rear wheel arch hemming treatment and laser brazing. The former reduces both the thickness of the panel at the lip of the wheel arch and the vertical gap between the tyre and the arch.

Eleven different exterior colours are available for the new RC, including Flare Yellow and Sky Blue, shades which perfectly communicate the car’s dynamic nature.

The new RC F SPORT features the same grille mesh pattern that graces all Lexus F SPORT models, together with many other custom exterior and interior elements that are exclusive to the grade. These include 19-inch alloy wheels, inspired by those used by the LS and LC luxury flagship sedan and coupe.

DRIVING PLEASURE HEIGHTENED BY INTERIOR REFINEMENTS

A brushed treatment has been applied to the heater control and audio panels, generating a higher sense of quality, while the knee pads either side of the centre console have been made larger and raised higher, creating a greater sense of space in the front of the cabin. The driver’s palm rest has been reshaped and a stitching pattern has been added to the surface, showcasing the designers’ high attention to detail.

A new analogue clock, identical to the one in the LC, sits high on the instrument panel in another identifying feature of Lexus coupes.

An exclusive, highly supportive sports front seat design is constructed using an ‘integrated foaming’ method. This allows for the moulding of large concave surfaces while ensuring that there are no gaps between the seat upholstery and the foam padding, ensuring both excellent comfort and outstanding lateral holding performance.

A one-touch walk-in function gives easy access to the 60:40 split folding rear seats. The front seat automatically slides forwards when the seat back is folded forwards by means of the shoulder-mounted lever. The seat automatically returns to its original position when the seatback is raised again.

Contrast stitching to the seats, an enlarged centre console trim and generously proportioned knee pads add high-quality accents to the interior design, while further enhancing the holding performance of the smooth, synthetic or semi-aniline leather seat upholstery.

The premium quality interior of the RC makes maximum use of contrasting colours, materials and lighting, highlighting the car’s sporting elegance. The ambient illumination is angled for upward rather than downward reflection, including door trim lighting with brightness that automatically adjusts to suit driving conditions.

New ornamentation options, including real aluminium Naguri and Brushed Metal are available for the RC F SPORT. In all, RC customers will have five options to choose from.

Interior colours include Ochre, which is also featured in the LC, and Mustard , which comprises subtle yellow accents on a black background. Seven interior colour combinations are available, including those reserved for the F SPORT.

PERFORMANCE INSPIRED BY “EVEN SHARPER AND MORE GRACEFUL” DRIVING CONCEPT

Inspired by the driving concept of “even sharper and more graceful” that defines the Lexus LC coupe, Lexus engineers have sought to make the new RC thoroughly fun to drive by focusing their attention on the details, improving the car’s aerodynamics and fine-tuning the suspension system and powertrain. Endowed with a flatter and more stable ride quality and sharper handling characteristics derived from the LC, the new RC is more athletic and responsive than ever.

Suspension

The front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension systems combine well-balanced, agile handling with superior straight-line ride comfort. They are designed to reduce understeer, ensure accurate yaw response during steering, effect a smooth transition to cornering attitude and help achieve an integrated feel between steering input and vehicle behaviour, marrying a fine ride quality with agile, engaging handling characteristics.

The new RC’s suspension has been further tuned for more supple performance, improved grip and better handling. New shock absorbers, which provide significant damping force from low suspension stroke speeds, and stiffer suspension bushings have also been introduced. To guarantee the desired dynamic performance, the coupe underwent extensive real-world testing, with chassis engineers constantly fine-tuning the package to improve ride and handling.

To complement the change in performance, the electric power steering has been re-tuned to give the driver accurate feedback on the interaction between the tyres and the road surface. New 19-inch wheels fitted with higher grip tyres also support excellent steering response.

Aerodynamics 

The RC incorporates tried and tested race car aerodynamics to both upper and underbody surfaces to enhance stability during high-speed driving, achieving 0.306 coefficient of drag (Cd).

Upper body aerodynamic measures have been introduced to support the “even sharper and more graceful” driving concept. Importance has also been placed on tuning the car’s aerodynamic characteristics to provide a higher level of handling performance, stability, and ride comfort. Details include the introduction of a new fin shape in the side window mouldings and a duct in the rear bumper, giving the car better handling stability

Aluminium tapes applied to the back of the front and rear bumpers help rectify airflow, contributing to the car’s handling stability. When the vehicle is moving and the body is positively charged, similarly charged airflow is repelled; as a result, the airflow is separated from the outer surface of the bodywork. Specially shaped aluminium tapes on the bumper promote the discharge of static electricity from the body, helping suppress airflow separation.

High-rigidity bodyshell

The RC’s high-rigidity bodyshell is the foundation for its agility, precise steering response and high levels of mechanical grip. It features large cross-section rocker panels, cowl side bracing, optimised underbody bracing reinforcement, and even high-rigidity front and rear screen glass adhesive.

Numerous specialised Lexus manufacturing techniques are used to enhance rigidity, including body adhesives, multi-spot welding and laser-screw welding around the door apertures, quarter glass and upper back panel.

These measures combine to maximise the torsional rigidity of the bodyshell, contributing to enhanced steering response and body control during cornering.

 

REFINED, QUIET AND HIGHLY EFFICIENT SELF-CHARGING HYBRID POWERTRAIN

· 221 DIN HP/164 KW FULL HYBRID POWERTRAIN

· EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCY WITH COMBINED CYCLE FUEL CONSUMPTION FROM 5.9 L/100 KM (WLTP) AND CO2EMISSIONS FROM 131.7 G/KM (WLTP1)

The RC 300h is powered by a self-charging full hybrid system that gives the vehicle the capability of running emissions-free on its electric power alone.

The powertrain combines a petrol engine and compact but powerful electric motor. These automatically work together or individually to provide optimum performance according to road conditions and the driver’s preference. Lexus Hybrids recharge as you drive, so they are always ready to go. Furthermore, up to 53.8%2of city driving time can be accomplished in zero emissions EV mode. The system is also characterised by quick and linear acceleration, high fuel efficiency, exceptionally low emissions and a luxuriously smooth ride.

The engine featured in the RC’s Lexus Hybrid Drive is a 2,494 cc Atkinson cycle, direct injection, four-cylinder unit that delivers a maximum output of 181 DIN hp/133 kW at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 221 Nm between 4,200 and 4,800 rpm. The electric motor has an output of 143 DIN hp/105 kW. The combined system power is 223 DIN hp/164 kW.

The rear-wheel drive RC 300h accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and has a maximum speed of 190 km/h, yet returns average fuel consumption figures from as low as 5.9 l/100 km (WLTP¹) and CO2emissions from just 131.7 g/km (WLTP¹).

The engine’s Atkinson cycle timing features an expansion stroke that is longer than the compression stroke, resulting in a more efficient conversion of combustion energy. This, together with a higher compression ratio and the introduction of additional advanced engine technologies, improves the engine’s thermal efficiency to 38.5%.

¹ Correlated NEDC values: Fuel consumption from 5.0 L/100Km, CO2 emissions from 114 g/Km

² According to TOYOTA HEV European Customers Test Drive, 2014 - July 2018

 

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FOR ON-BOARD ENTERTAINMENT AND SAFETY

· HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO SYSTEMS

· SUITE OF ADVANCED ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY FEATURES

The RC can be equipped with six-speaker, 160 W or 10-speaker, 256 W Pioneer sound systems, both of which provide distortion-free, clear sound quality with wide-ranging sonic reproduction, rich presence and natural sound dynamics.

A 17-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround System is also available. This has been developed with an emphasis on high resolution and high musicality to deliver excellent natural dynamics and rich harmonies in a 360-degree, three-dimensional sonic space.

Despite its compact size, this 835 W system delivers significantly high power and high sound quality, with five-channel playback. Front centre, front right and left, and rear surround right and left speakers realise optimum consistency of sound quality for every cabin occupant.

The Mark Levinson Premium Surround System also incorporates Signal Doctor music playback technology, which compensates for the loss of high frequencies and the lack of clarity which can occur when using digital music players and other compressed sound sources, to create a clearer, richer sound, close the original recording quality.

SUITE OF ADVANCED ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY FEATURES

The RC builds on Lexus’ unique Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system with Lexus Safety System + which includes Pre-Crash Safety (PCS) system with Adaptive Cruise Control.

Further active safety technology includes a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Lane Departure Alert (LDA), an Auto Location Tyre Pressure Warning System (AL-TPWS) and an Automatic High Beam (AHB) headlamp system

Within a highly rigid body structure of exceptional car-to-car impact compatibility, eight airbags are fitted as standard, and a pop-up hood design allows for the lowest possible vehicle front profile whilst optimising pedestrian impact protection.

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View LEXUS_ES300h RC300h_CLIP_H264
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