Lexus RC 200t confirmed, but will it come to the U.S.A.?

Lexus is spreading its 2.0-liter turbo engine around. Will the RC coupe get the turbo in the U.S.?

Lexus has announced the RC 200t coupe for Europe. Toyota actually, but who’s counting. Following just behind the new IS 200t announced for the U.S. the new RC 200t will be the starting engine in the RC lineup on the Continent. The new car has 241 hp, but the real news is the torque. 258 ft-lb low in the rev band and nice and flat on the chart. Thus, it will feel strong when driven in normal traffic.

Car and Driver says the RC 200t “is expected to come to the U.S. market, as well”, but does not say who expects that. In Europe Lexus uses the four-cylinder hybrid engine in the IS, but has not used it in the U.S. for the IS sedan. We do not disagree with Car and Driver. We’re just pointing out that we are not sure anyone other than Lexus fans even know what an RC is, and thus, most people are not “expecting the RC 200t.”

The RC 200t certainly makes sense in Europe where every liter of fuel is a social program waiting to be paid for. Why not offer a more fuel-efficient base engine in the RC? Here in the U.S. gasoline is cheaper than milk and has been for quite a while. We would say it is a toss-up. Lexus could announce the new RC 200t for the U.S. at any time. If that announcement comes, we will post an update.

Top of page image is the 2015 Lexus RC 350