New Lexus RC350 Sports Coupe Coming to Tokyo

Spyshots have been floating around the internet showing what many speculators initially believed was the next generation Lexus IS Convertible but an Automotive News report indicated that this heavily camouflaged Lexus coupe was actually an RC 350 test mule. Sources indicated that the RC 350 will be powered by the 3.5L V6 that is already hard at work in a variety of Lexus vehicles and in the new sports coupe, this engine should provide around 306 horsepower. Interestingly, AN also claims that there will be a hybrid version of this sports coupe that follows the traditional drivetrain and considering how well Toyota does hybrids – a hybrid sports coupe should be pretty impressive. If I had to guess, I would expect that there could also be an RC 350 F Sport that calls upon the same basic V6 engine but with styling and handling improvements to offer better performance than the “basic” RC 350.

The most interesting part of this inside information is that there should also be a Lexus RC F on the way. This premium performance package will be powered by the same 5.0L V8 as the current IS F sedan but in the new RC F coupe – this mill should pack around 460 horsepower rather than the 416hp offered by the IS F. We would guess that the RF C would feature the same 8 speed Sport DirectShift automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters with a Torsen limited slip differential helping to put all of that power to the road.

In terms of exterior styling, the new Lexus RC 350 sports coupe should feature a fairly similar look to that of the new IS sedan (shown above on the right). This includes some angular headlights underlined by the uniquely separate trim bars that were introduced on the new IS. Of course, the RC 350 will feature a big, bold version of the brand’s spindle grille design and we would expect this new sports coupe to offer the boldest expression of the spindle design to date. The new Lexus IS sedan looks great and the basic design from front to back looks like one that would fit nicely on a coupe.

This report also indicates that the new Lexus RC 350 will make its world debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in November with the first dealership deliveries hitting in late 2014. Better yet, the high performance Lexus RC F will make its world debut at next January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Of course, in addition to the high performance engines and the exterior styling of the Lexus IS sedan lineup, the new RC 350 should feature all of the luxury amenities that we would expect from a modern Lexus model. Whether in RC 350 or RC F trim, it sounds like this is going to be one awesome luxury sports coupe and I cannot wait to meet it in person.

Source: Automotive News