MOTORING NEWS - The Lexus RC 300 EX and 350 F Sport coupés benefit from new equipment and technology features for 2018, perhaps the most important of these being in the safety department via the addition of selected Lexus Safety System+ features.
Both variants now come standard with an air bag error indicator. On top of this, the RC 350 F Sport model boasts a new state-of-the-art pre-collision system as well as adaptive cruise control.
With a sleek coupé body style design that boasts sculpted lines and a wide, low stance, the RC was designed from the ground up to seamlessly blend eye-catching design with exhilarating performance.
The driver's cockpit is divided into operational and display zones. The upper zone houses the instrument panel and a 10,3" navigation screen, while a layered centre console integrates harmoniously with Lexus's unique remote touch interface.
The seats utilise an integrated foaming construction method – much like racing seat moulding – to ensure optimum occupant comfort and support.
Now standard in the RC model range is an air bag error indicator.
This feature, which detects any error that may cause the Lexus RC airbag not to deploy and displays a warning light as a precaution, has been added to both models.
PRE-CRASH SYSTEM
The Lexus Pre-Crash System is now standard on RC 350 F Sport. This conventional pre-crash system uses alerts, braking assist and pre-collision braking to prevent or reduce impact damage.
The active steering assist function additionally initiates automatic steering control to assist in avoiding a collision where brake control alone is not sufficient.
Standard on the V8-powered RC 350 F Sport coupé is the adaptive cruise control which is able to detect a preceding vehicle as well as maintain a suitable vehicle-to-vehicle following distance with a choice of three cruise gap distances. Furthermore, this feature helps keep the Lexus RC 350 F Sport a safe distance from the car in front, adjusting to even very low speeds in busy traffic.
Now standard in the RC model range is an air bag error indicator.
The RC is powered by a 2,0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine.
Its turbo-charged engine delivers 180kW of power at 5 800rpm and 350Nm of torque, which is available from a low 1 650rpm to 4 400rpm, to offer the driver great flexibility and endowing the RC 300 EX with a 7,5 seconds sprint time in the obligatory 0 to 100km dash. Top speed is pegged at 230km.
The RC 350 F Sport achieves 0 to 100km in 6,3 seconds. The RC 300 EX has a combined-cycle fuel economy of eight litres per 100km and carbon dioxide emissions of 186g/km. For the RC 350 F Sport it's 9,1 litres per 100km and carbon dioxide emissions of 212g/km.
The RC models provide an accessible point of entry for lifestyle buyers who want the statement of a luxury coupé and the efficiencies of a smaller capacity powerplant.
DETAILS
The exterior colours are White Quartz, Mercury Grey, White Nova, Graphite Black, Platinum Silver, Solar Storm Red, Poseidon Blue and Sonic Titanium.
The interior comes in two options of smooth leather: Black and Dark Rose. The Lexus RC 300 EX is priced at R764 500 and the RC 350 F Sport is R897 800. Both models come standard with a four year or 100 000km warranty.
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