That design inside and out
In terms of sheer design the RC excels with a coupe silhouette, sharp lines and an over look that suggests the cars sporty pretensions. It does include some design detailing from the now iconic LFA supercar, which is a good thing. The RC is a car that attracts attention, with fellow road users and onlookers asking how fast the car is and what kind of engine powers it.
On the inside the car is impressive too, with the usual soft-touch Lexus materials and what feels like tonnes of soundproofing judging by the way the car whispers along. Expect the automotive equivalent of a gentlemanly handshake when sitting in the car, respectful, dignified and enough to make you feel comfortable.
Powering the RC
I will admit I was decidedly underwhelmed by the V6 version of this car. It has all of the aural delight of a sports car but none of the shove. Now I’m not sure if my expectations were simply lower for this 2.0 litre turbocharged model or if it is genuinely faster at altitude but it certainly felt more urgent. The motor produces 180kW/350Nm which makes for a 0-100km/h time of 7.5 seconds. I must say, the despite the shortcomings of the V6, I do miss the soundtrack. In the 200t there is hardly any noise to speak of, which is something that I want from a sporty car. But perhaps the discerning Lexus buyer will appreciate the level of comfort and the effortless silence of the car as it makes progress.
What’s it like to drive?
It’s not the quickest thing on earth but it does feel urgent and is coupled to a very good chassis. The 8-speed gearbox does tend to be rather dim-witted when pushing but works supremely well in cruising scenarios. The car does handle our rather poor roads well, with a soft suspension set-up which makes it better than most for quicker road driving. But if you’re looking for a pure sports coupe, this isn’t the car for you. It has a calm demeanour, more suited to open road cruising and a spot of posing.
Packaging compared to rivals
At the time of writing I was driving a Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe and have spent a lot of time with the BMW 4 Series. Both of these Germans manage the tough balancing act of being luxurious and sporty. They do it better than the Lexus however; the Japanese car does come with pretty much everything as standard whereas the Germans need to be specified to get some of the niceties.
Verdict
The RC200t is most certainly the pick of the RC range, it is more efficient, feels more eager and is overall a better representation of a modern sports coupe. It also offers buyers good value when the level of standard features is considered. But for me, the BMW 4 Series is still the king of this segment, it simply provides the thrills and engagement that I desire from a sports coupe.
Price R699 100
