“Though far from thrilling, the RC provides satisfactory performance. It's a touch slower than most luxury coupes, but summer tires make for quick handling and short, consistent stops. The steering is pleasing, too. Just forget about the F Sport designation — the only significant addition it brings are the seats”- Edmunds
Engine and Transmission
While the RC 300 gets an optional V6 engine, the 350 keeps it simple with only one engine and two powertrains. Lexus employs a 3.5L Premium Unleaded V-6 engine paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Although it has a similar V6 engine the RC 350 is tuned to crank out more horses. The engine produces a maximum 311 horsepower and 280-pound-feet of torque. Lexus fixed the torque split at 30/70 for the front and rear wheels. It might be the more potent version of the RC but it’s nothing compared to the herculean RC F.
Models
|
Lexus RC 350
|
BMW 440i coupe
|
Genesis G70 3.3T
|
Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium sportback
|
Infiniti Q 60 3.0t PURE
|
Mercedes C300 4Matic coupe
|
MSRP
|
$44,075
|
$51,200
|
$43,750
|
$44,200
|
$40,750
|
$43,800
|
Engine
|
3.5L Premium Unleaded V-6
|
3.0L Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6
|
3.3L
Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6
|
2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded
|
3.0 L Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6
|
Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4, 2.0 L
|
Transmission
|
8-speed shiftable automatic
|
8 Speed automatic
|
8-speed Automatic
|
7-Speed automatic S tronic Dual-Clutch
|
8-speed Automatic
|
9G-TRONIC 9-Speed Automatic
|
Horsepower
|
311 hp @ 6600 rpm
|
320 @ 5500
|
365 hp @ 6,000 rpm
|
252 hp@ 5000rpm
|
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
|
255 hp @ 5800 rpm
|
Torque
|
280 @ 4800 rpm
|
330 ft-lbs@ 1380 rpm
|
376 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm
|
273 ft-lbs@ 1600rpm
|
295 ft-lbs. @ 1500 rpm
|
273 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm
|
The power delivery is velvety and the accelerator is bound by your wishes though make sure not to ask much of it. The RC 350 is particularly a cruiser as its heavier and slower than the rest of the big sharks. Other aspects of the Lexus are serviceable and does not interfere with the tuneful driving experience. If you have driven the RC 300 before, the RC 350 will stun you with its amplified vehicular instincts.
Acceleration
The RC 350 just like the 300 is not very keen on acceleration. The engine might produce more horses but there is a notable lag as you jab the pedal to the ground. Though the bad start does not affect the rest of the performance, the RC speeds up pretty good, just not enough to beat any of its adversaries. From a standstill, the RC 350 gains 60mph speed in 5.7 seconds. Going further it hits the quarter mile light in 14.3 seconds.
Lexus may compete on paper but the real-life scenario is completely different. Audi A5 with its Inline-4 engine outshines Lexus’s V6 engine, which is a little disappointing for A Lexus buyer.
Models
|
Lexus RC 350
|
BMW 440i coupe
|
Genesis G70
|
Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium sportback
|
Infiniti Q 60
|
Mercedes C300 4Matic coupe
|
0-60 MPH
|
5.7 sec
|
sec
|
sec
|
5 sec
|
sec
|
5.5 sec
|
Quarter mile
|
14.2 sec
|
sec
|
sec
|
13.6 sec
|
sec
|
14.1 sec @ 99 mph
|
Engine
|
3.5L
|
3.0L
|
3.3L
|
2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded
|
3.0L
|
2.0L
|
Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
|
N/A
|
6.6
|
N/A
|
6.5
|
6.3*
|
TBD
|
Ride and Handling
Although Lexus installed all the necessary performance enhancing equipment, the pay-off is not that pleasing. Lexus could have done better on the RC 350, the steering feels numb and does not have any road communication. Even with the additional equipment of the F Sport package the RC anxiously takes corners. Also, the other chassis updates should have opened a new world for the RC but there is no significant change on the coupe’s drivability. After evaluating every aspect of the RC one thing is straight, it’s no sports car material. The RC is rather a boulevard cruise for which it does a pretty nice job though make sure you don’t demand much from the car.
Braking
Braking might be the best virtue of the RC 350. The pedal is pretty pilotable without feeling grabby. During hard braking, the RC does not wobble which gets better with the summer tires on the F Sport package. From the speed of 70 mph, the RC halts to a standstill at 120 feet which is better than other coupes in the lot.
Model
|
Lexus RC 350
|
BMW 430i coupe
|
Genesis G70
|
Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium sportback
|
Infiniti Q60
|
Mercedes C300 4Matic coupe
|
Brake Front (in.)
|
13.2
|
12.3
|
13.8
|
13.3
|
12.6
|
13
|
Brake Rear (in.)
|
12.2
|
11.8
|
13.4
|
13
|
12.1
|
11.8
|
Curb Weight (lbs.)
|
3748
|
3574
|
3774 lbs
|
3704
|
3747 lbs
|
3500*
|
60-0 MPH (ft.)
|
120
|
162
|
-
|
N/A
|
153ft
|