news

2016 Lexus RC200t revealed, Australian launch confirmed for December

The number of turbocharged options in the Lexus range has grown again this week, with the international debut of a new entry-level RC 200t coupe.


Joining the NX 200t SUV, the newly announced IS 200t sedan, and the big new RX 200t, the fresh turbo coupe will enter below the V6-powered RC 350 and the powerhouse V8 RC F flagship.

Today also brings confirmation that the RC 200t will come to Australia in December, although pricing and details are still to be confirmed.

As it does in the IS 250-replacing IS 200t sedan, the RC coupe’s new turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine offers 180kW at 5800rpm and 350Nm from 1650-4400rpm.

Also drawn from the IS 200t is an adapted version of the eight-speed Sport Direct Shift auto that features in the hero RC F, bringing paddle shifters and a clever ability to vary gear shifts in tune with the G forces being exerted on the vehicle.

“The transmission automatically downshifts during hard braking before a corner then holds a lower gear through the corner for best control and then selects the most suitable gear on corner exit to give the driver greater throttle response,” Lexus says of the new automatic transmission.

Above: the hero of the range, the V8-powered RC F.

The slick shifter’s talents will have to suffice for the more spirited enthusiasts out there, with a manual option once again unavailable.

Internationally, Lexus claims a 0-100km/h time of 7.5 seconds for the RC 200t, dropping it well behind the 6.1-second sprint that the 233kW RC 350 promises. (The 351kW RC F is, of course, significantly quicker at 4.5 seconds.)

Full details for the new variant, including its weight, are still to come. As a point of reference, the V6 RC 350 F Sport lists a kerb weight of 1710kg, while the big 5.0 litre V8 in the RC F blows that out to 1860kg.

Fuel consumption figures are likewise still to be confirmed, but we can undoubtedly expect an improvement on the 9.4L/100km and 10.9L/100km figures listed for the 200t’s V6 and V8 siblings.

Watch for more details on the RC 200t to come in the weeks ahead.

News, reviews, price and specs: RC 350, RC F
More: Lexus turbo heading to more models
More:
RC 350 F Sport reviewed
More: RC F reviewed

MORE:Lexus Showroom
MORE:Lexus News
MORE:Lexus Reviews
MORE:Search Used Lexus Cars for Sale
MORE:Lexus Showroom
MORE:Lexus News
MORE:Lexus Reviews
MORE:Search Used Lexus Cars for Sale
Chat with us!







Chat with Agent