What does the RC stand for in 2015 Lexus RC 350? Radical Coupe. Why that name? Because the RC model is the first luxury coupe Lexus has produced in quite some time. And, because the RC 350 is one radical looking car.
(What’s in the F-Sport Package: F-Sport front bumper and spindle grille, 19-inch wheels with 235/40R19 front tires, 265/35/19 rear tires, TGT instrument cluster, heated and ventilated front seats, perforated leather steering wheels and shift knob, black headliner, aluminum pedals, Adaptive Variable Suspension and the Sport S+ Mode.)
The design of the car was partially borrowed from the LF-LC concept that Lexus introduced back in 2012. I have to admit, everytime I walked up to the car, I was excited to get into the driver’s seat. The front end sports a massive spindle grille, with headlights as sharp as a sous chef’s knife. In the rear, the taillights are just as fine, while the lower end of the rear fascia features design cues that are just as edgy.
This exterior visually displays just how sharp the RC 350 handles. It’s quite stiff around the corners, thanks to the suspension, which can become rather aggressive with the Active Variable Suspension option in the F Sport package. The AVS can also make daily driving a much more comfortable experience, as it will soften and accommodate at lower speeds.
Powering the sports car is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 306 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. You won’t be blown back into your seat in the RC 350 as you would a GT-R, but you will most definitely have an exciting drive. Expect a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top track speed of 143 mph.
In the cabin are two front seats that are snug and plush, offering seating that was comfortable and able to hold you still in tight turns. In the rear, not so much – don’t expect to seat two tall adults back there. Our example came with the Navigation System/Mark Levinson Premium Audio package, which added navigation, a backup camera, touchpad control for the infotainment center, 5.1 surround sound system with 17 speakers and an app suite. This $2,610 option was definitely welcomed.
The 2015 RC 350 may not carry the performance of the RC-F model, but it’s still a fun little sports car. The RC 350 base model comes with an MSRP of $42,790, but the F-Sport package adds an additional $3,385 to that. The total price of our model came out to $54,475.
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