Lexus RC 350

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
.