The new Lexus RC 350 is styled to within an inch of its life.It really is a stunningly good looking sports coupe...There will be no mistaking it for anything else. Its large aggressive zig zag grille treatment sets it apart from similar vehicles.
Up front there are no fewer than six headlight lenses... small rectangular LEDs emit a bright powerful beam of light on high and low beam. Truly one of the best systems I've encountered.
Luxurious butterscotch coloured leather seats on the test car made the interior a real standout. Everywhere you touch on door panels and console you'll find generous padding.
The driver's seat has three memory positions and both front pews are extremely comfortable, being both heated and chilled.
The doors open wide for easy access, but there's little room for rear seat passengers especially if those up front are tall. The detail in the cabin is of exceptional quality.
I found the interior cosy, albeit a tad cramped thanks to the low roofline and narrow window glass. Being tall I found my hair brushing the roof of the cabin even with the seat on its lowest setting. However there's more than enough legroom.
Inexplicably, Lexus still hangs on to the anachronistic foot operated park brake, instead of the electronic device found on so many cars these days, even some much cheaper than the RC 350.
That aside, all the controls are well laid out, and easy to use.The door window glass rises and lowers swiftly and silently.
A touch pad controls audio, sat nav and other functions.
The audio system is digital and produces superb quality sound from 12 Mark Levinson surround speakers.
Ride comfort is excellent,soaking up all but the most severe road imperfections.
The suspension and transmission can be tuned three ways.. Eco, Normal and Sport. The RC 350 is whisper quiet on the road at any speed, and the naturally aspirated 3.5 litre V6 goes about its business with silent ease, delivering a healthy 233 kw and 378 nm.
However the motor soon changes character when given its head. There's a glorious snarl from under the bonnet as it soars towards the 6,400 rpm redline.. it's a seriously quick car.
Flung with abandon though winding hills roads.,The RC 350 sits flat, purposeful and well balanced on its 19 inch rims with 35 and 40 series tyres,with precise steering feedback..
It really does what it looks like it can do.
It's performance when pressed is quite exhilarating...a real driver's car.
Shifting is done with paddles or console lever and the eight speed gearbox itself is buttery smooth.
The week I had the car, with a combination of city and country driving, it averaged about 11 litres per100 kilometres, giving a range of around 500 kilometres.
Priced from 67 to 74K, the RC 350 is exceptional value for money.
Packed with features, it's simply an all round exciting drive.
Peter Sellen
.
The new MINI is proving to be a very popular car indeed in Australia, with several variants available, from a convertible to SUV style wagon and more. In all, MINIs have a 46% share of the light car segment for models over 25K.
For those wanting a bit more leg room than the regular two door MINI, there's yet another choice.. the MINI five door.
This is the Cooper S version and what a fine little car it is. It remains just a four seater though, despite the fitment of a token middle rear seat belt. Only children or very thin adults need apply in the rear.
The MINI is twice the size of the original from the 1960s and is surprisingly roomy inside. Even six footers will find enough leg space and headroom.
The car on test here had a full length sliding glass roof and an interior that is a kaleidoscope of colour.
The ring surrounding the central screen changes colour when you select a station or change the volume.. the interior is bathed in a mauve glow at night from the roof to footwells, with highlights on each door card. There's so much going on, it's like Disneyland in there. The speedo sits in front of the driver as does the small tachometer.. both are attached to the adjustable steering column, so you always have a clear line of sight to them.
The seats are comfy and supportive and the ride is exceptional for a light car. The suspension is adjustable three ways. Eco, Mid and Sport.
The driver gets an extra side sunvisor and there's also a pop up screen for the heads up display on the windscreen and standard sat nav. The MINI has keyless entry and start, operated by one of almost a dozen aircraft style toggle switches, both overhead and on the console..
On a blast (one of several) through winding hills roads the MINI handles like it's on rails.. it's so much fun you'll be wanting to let it off the leash at every available opportunity.
The two litre 141kw turbo engine is a real firecracker..it just loves to rev, and when you do, it's accompanied by a raspy growl from the twin exhaust pipes and a pleasing shove in the back.. On overrun there's a delightful burble that leaves you in no doubt of its sporty heritage.
Even better, the MINI's 280 nm of torque allows you to pull cleanly away in sixth gear from just fifty kilometres an hour. The five door's engine has the now common stop/start idle fuel saving mode as its default setting, but it can be overridden.
The steering is a a tad heavy for my liking but you always know what the driven front wheels are doing. There's little hint of torque steer, even under hard acceleration.
The six speed manual gearbox itself is a quite stiff and notchy, but might free up a bit with more mileage.
The MINI's audio system is excellent.. a digital sound quality up there with the best.
However adjusting the settings from the central console " mouse" is a bit awkward with the armrest down, it's accessible with just your fingertips. With the armrest raised it's easier, but the armrest hits your elbow when changing gear. Headlights have only average spread and penetration and there's no spare wheel, just a compressor kit and sealant.
The MINI has grown up into a very desirable sporty conveyance and I liked it very much.
It's one that should be on your shopping list if you want to be seen in something a little different from the run of the mill.
It's so much fun to drive and at around 38 K for this Cooper S 5 door, is well within most people's budget.
Peter Sellen
.jpg)
