2016 Lexus F Sport RC200t

Lexus RC is a relative newcomer to the premium-compact segment-coupe, which is probably why this "radical coupe" appears to be struggling. Twisted-hourglass grille, fender-of-meringue sculptures, striped tail lights, and narrow side glass Lexus differentiate from the competition the more staid, like the Audi A5, BMW 4-series, and the Cadillac ATS. And our test car Creamsicle-orange paint job coupe extroverted further separates this from polite sedan and SUV side of the Lexus showroom.

The 200t, with rear-wheel drive and four-cylinder turbo engine, is the newest and most expensive RC. Joint selling all-wheel-drive RC 300, with a 255-hp V6; RC 350, with a 306-hp V-6 and rear or all-wheel drive; and muscle RC F, with a 5.0-liter V-8 good for 467 horsepower.

With a starting price of $ 40,935, RC200t came in $ 2,625 below the RC300 and RC350 $ 2,795 less than that. Our test car is enriched by $ 4,105 M Sport package, which contains items of performance (firmer suspension, upgraded brakes, 19-inch wheels with summer tires), luxury goods (heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, electric tilt-and- telescopic steering column, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert), and visual spicier. It is also packed with premium audio and navigation system ($ 2,610), $ 1,000 worth of safety assists, a $ 460 limited-slip differential, and orange brake calipers ($ 300). RC200t we rang the register at $ 49,410.

Turbo time

A late for trend-driven small engines, Lexus made a mistake with a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter inline-four is loaded with special features. To maximize efficiency, the engine was running both Otto and Miller combustion cycle, powered by a variable intake and exhaust camshaft phasing. Port and direct fuel injection support of 10.0: 1 compression ratio, which is good for both power and fuel economy, while accelerating the catalyst light-off following a cold start. balance shaft in the crankcase quell vibration, and roller cam followers cut friction. Without leaving loose ends, Toyota produces twin-scroll turbocharger 200t, which screws directly into the player's head-cylinder aluminum to give a big boost of 17.0 psi. Proving that the competitive assessment is alive and growing, this new 2.0-liter makes exactly one horsepower 241 horsepower at 5800 rpm and exactly the same peak torque of 258 lb-ft as a four-cylinder engine powering the BMW 428i. However, the BMW engine pulling hard all the way to its 7000-rpm redline, while the four-cylinder RC can manage only 6100 rpm.

Back up this machine is any transmission that you want-as long as you prefer an eight-speed automatic. (The A5, 4-series, and the ATS are all still offering a manual transmission.) To its credit, this gearbox behaved can paddle-shifted when the driver feels agile. Disable the stability control (which has to do with the car stops) gives the driver full authority over upshifts.

You can paddle it automatically like pinball wizard, but it was still not prepared a lot of speed. It feels lazy off line because: We clocked the zero-to-60-mph run in 6.7 seconds, putting RC200t 1.2 seconds behind the slowest Ford Mustang coupe and 1.4 behind the BMW 428i. Fortunately, automated pitches with timely downshifts to help maintain your place in traffic during the past moves. fuel economy, at 22 mpg city and 32 highway, crashed in the middle class.

Tale of Scale

What should be, strong, polite turbo engine and provide transmission mannered, overweight RC's take it back. The F Sport RC200t full regalia hug Mother Earth to the tune of 3838 pounds. How can RC200t smaller than the new Chevrolet Camaro when topping mass with 369 pounds?

Braking and cornering is statistically more competitive. RC stop from 70 mph required 165 feet, just a foot more than the 428i. These rivals Lexus and BMW, both cornered at 0.89 g on the skidpad.

To its credit, this RC occasionally embraced driving fun. quick steering and slack-free. The well-controlled body movements, especially in the Sport S + driving modes, without the hard-ride the dark side. Summer-compound Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires stick well, except when interrupted by broken sidewalks.

Interior proffers looked awkward mix of the rack and the curve, but the cockpit is functionally sound. driver's seat provides excellent support without inflicting pain on a long trip. Two round button with the edge of the audio control functions grippy system. A gorgeous sliding tachometer gives rpm color coded, digital mph, and a useful secondary information such as boost pressure, oil temperature, trip mileage, and compass heading.

Two complaints: The touchpad that helps regulate the climate, navigation, entertainment, phone, and functions extremely sensitive applications that lock down your elbows need to tap in order to the road surface is less than perfect. And a 12 volt power source for radar detectors and other electrical equipment buried deep inside the center console.

Standard coating material which Lexus calls NuLuxe, available in eight colors. This tube "leather" goods suspected to half the weight of the original and claimed to be more environmentally friendly. To cover every base, real leather in a choice of four colors available at no extra charge. Perforated-leather steering wheel and shift-knob trim are part of the package F Sport.

The sloping roof indicates that the rear seats may be the punishment room, but this did not happen. Removing motorcycle front backrest cushion lower ahead to clean up the driveway. Once in place, you will find adequate, adult-sized head and legroom (but not even one cupholder). While claustrophobia caused by a small side window finally does not set in, the rear cabin will at least support this foursome night in town. backrest split and folds to increase cargo capacity is 10 cubic feet of trunk this.

The new arrow in the quiver Lexus RC gives ammunition to fight for the high ground in the sporty coupe class. Turbo four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic powertrain make fun, but it was saddled with too much weight. Visually stunning, however, may cause some buyers to ignore it.

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