. The manufacturer in question is of course Lexus. A few weeks ago Lexus South Africa dropped off its new RC350 sports coupe. The car looks absolutely incredible but it houses a naturally aspirated engine under the bonnet. Did someone forget to tell them that it is 2019?
Well, I for one was very unhappy with the fact that the car has no forced induction especially when you consider the fact that Lexus does have a newly developed turbocharged V6 offered in the flagship LS500 model. Why didn’t they use that engine in the RC350? Well, it is only until you drive the RC350 that things start to become very clear.
The car looks really good and I received a vast number of comments, looks and the thumbs up from just about everybody that saw the car. The front-end features a large spindle grille and though smaller, more striking headlights than the model that it replaces. My test unit was fitted with the F-Sport kit, this sees the addition of more aggressive bumpers, larger wheels with gold brake callipers and gives the car, a sporty look overall. I think that it is the most attractive sports coupe within its segment on sale today with the Mercedes-Benz C Class coupe being my second favourite.
Inside the Lexus, I was even more impressed to find a very luxurious cabin that leaned more towards comfort than the sportiness found on the outside. The facia is now typical Lexus with a large infotainment screen mounted atop a sculptured dashboard with a raised centre console which houses all the buttons for the climate control and radio. I will admit that there are quite a few buttons when you consider that many of the competitors are moving towards cleaner design thanks to the implementation of touch screens. The buttons don’t detract from what it a very visually appealing cockpit. The seats are sporty and supportive and the overall driving position feels great, comfortable but firm.
Now, about that engine, which if I’m honest, at first, wasn’t doing it for me? It did, however, make more sense as I spent more time with the car. The Lexus RC350 is not a punch in the face kind of sports coupe like that of the Mercedes-AMG C43 or BMW 440i. It comes across as being sophisticated, mature and elegant; it is more of a GT car which means that it has been designed to cover distance effortlessly. The engine does not define the car, it is just an element which adds to the overall experience.
Think of it as the meringue on a lemon meringue, it’s not the hero but without it, you are left with basic lemon custard and short crust pastry. The 3.5-litre V6 motor delivers its power in the same sort of way in which a lemon meringue delivers its flavour. At first, it is smooth, somewhat uninspiring, it is only once the revs pick up that the motor starts to sing and that lemon zing really starts to hit you and the higher the revs the more of the 232 kW and 380 N.m you get to enjoy.
The car is fast but it doesn’t shove you into your seat like the turbocharged competitors, rather, it gently gets to speed and maintains that speed with great elegance. The car does offer various driving modes where I found myself mostly in Normal mode and occasionally in Sport+ mode. Sport+ doesn’t necessarily unleash a beast but it does make the car a bit edgier.
After my week with the Lexus RC350 I can sit back and confirm that in my opinion, this is the best GT car within its segment. While it looks good and handles relatively well, it highlights sportiness without compromising on comfort. It’s an honest car, it does its job and it does it well. It will get you to and from the office with ease while also capable to take on that twisty-mountain-pass over the weekend, even if the pass is in the Western Cape.
It’s a car that I enjoyed driving as much as I did looking at it. Now I couldn’t care less about the lack of turbochargers or touch screens. That glorious V6 engine is a work of art, one which I would rev to the red line just to experience that glorious unedited naturally aspirated howl of a time long gone. That howl will cost you though, R939 100 to be exact but if you are in the market for something a little more sophisticated, something a bit more special than what is out there then I’d say it is worth every cent.
