Lexus RC and GS - sporty luxury

The RC F and GS F are strong newcomers from Lexus, but they are the best in the lineup. The price is now decreasing with the advent of more civilized versions. In the case of the GS, we are talking about a model with a facelift. RC unfolds in comfortable Gran Turismo style. How do they drive? We tested it on the roads of Mallorca.

The Polish premium car market is constantly growing from year to year. Lexus itself admits that it sells more cars in Poland than the Hungarian, Czech and Slovak branches combined. The Japanese brand is also a serious competitor among the 2630 models sold on the Vistula River, they occupy the fifth position among the premium brands present on our market. This allows us to offer a bolder offer that caters to the whims of clients with wealthier wallets. The driving force here is the NX itself (1424 units sold), but other models cope with their capabilities. An example of a sports RC F, which was registered in 2015 exactly the same as the new BMW M4 - 40 pieces.

However, closing the offer at approximately 400 zlotys leads to sales results reaching the level of several tens, and corporations like much higher numbers. How to achieve them?

To emotions

appearance Lexus RC we've met before, though it was the top version - "F". After removing the sports fittings from it and replacing the characteristic truss with vertical ribs, it still looks very interesting. German rivals are conservatively polite in this regard when Lexus goes out of its way to get noticed. 

The rise of the GS, in turn, shows that the next models will go in this direction - including limousines. Small triangular headlights with separate LED daytime running lights look aggressive and somewhat futuristic. Definitely not boring. The photos show the Lexus GS with the F-Sport package, which includes 19-inch wheels, a slightly redesigned grille and new bumpers. An RC is also available in this version, but we didn't get to ride it. 

Quality, quality, quality

In the interior of both cars, you immediately feel like in a premium car. Many elements are upholstered in soft-touch leather. Everything fits very well too. This level is getting rarer. And the quality, or even the interior design, which is also pleasing to the eye, is not the only thing we like here.

The ergonomics of using everything that can be found on board is at a high level. For starters, as a driver, we can literally reach every switch without taking our back off the seat. This applies to both the RC and the larger GS. The in-flight entertainment systems are operated intuitively, and comfort is definitely enhanced by the self-locking joystick in appropriate positions (GS) and the touchpad, which similarly helps to press the function of interest (RC). . The novelty in GS is, first of all, the ability to use navigation in full screen mode, before the view was always shared. However, he can't be that handsome. Navigation is the embodiment of evil. The polka voice sounds like the teacher who bullied you in elementary school. Her tone resists opposition, sometimes she sings while drawing out vowels, such as "turn right-right", and at the end reads the street names. “Reading street names, having fun!” - you think. Nothing out of this. This is due to a synth with a completely different timbre, which reads names without considering the accent. There are some funny but most obscure messages that come from this overseas. 

The Lexus RC contrasts with the GS when it comes to rear space. In the compartment, the sofa suits everyone. Anyone whose legs are cut off below the knees and half of the head if they are too high. If someone does not return your loan for a long time, this is also an interesting instrument of torture. An electric chair helps to take places on the sofa, which then slowly returns to its previous position. Any taller rider will position them so that the backrest almost touches the edge of the seat cushion. Now imagine that you are sitting in the back and this chair is approaching your knees menacingly, and you do not know if it will crush them or if you will get out alive. The roof in this place is very low. Behind the wheel, the unfortunate couch passenger had to tilt his head all the time. We won't say that about the GS. There we are overwhelmed by the amount of space both in front and behind the car. In the F-Sport version, the driver's seat has a compression adjustment on the sides, thanks to which it can hold very well during fast turns. Sports leather seats are standard on the RC. 

Another curiosity. In the Lexus GS, we can equip the air conditioner with a Nanoe particle spray system. It's a bit like a spa in a car - freshens the air, moisturizes the skin and nails. 

Certain comfort

The management of the two models is different, as is their intended use. There is, however, a common denominator in this called comfort. Both cars are perfectly soundproofed and pick up bumps very well, making driving very relaxing. So much so that even after 5 revolutions, the motor is barely audible. 

Lexus RC should be more athletic brother. He inherited the design from the RC F and at the same time retained great body rigidity. Thus, in the version with 200t and 300l engines, the suspension can be set up more comfortably and the steering response is still instantaneous. Handling in corners, even when we are driving at fairly high speeds, is very reliable. Only a slight understeer is felt near the grip limit, which indicates a change in driving style. Although this coupe was rear-wheel drive, neither the 200-tonne nor the 300-horsepower engine let the rear axle take on a life of its own. 

What are these power units? 200t - 2-liter gasoline engine with 245 hp. With a maximum torque of 350 Nm, it can reach 100 km/h in 7,2 seconds and a top speed of 230 km/h. The engine block weighs only 160 kg. Among the technological solutions we find a double-scroll turbocharger with an active valve to remove excess exhaust gases. This reduces exhaust manifold pressure and improves engine efficiency at low engine load, thereby reducing fuel consumption. The cylinder heads are water-cooled and integrated into the exhaust manifold. Of course, there is also a valve timing system. Exhaust valves use VVT-i technology when intake with VVT-iW ("W" stands for "wide"). The latter allow the computer to correctly manage torque throughout the entire rev range when moving with gas to the floor. 200t is an engine that can operate on the Otto and Atkinson cycles at the same time. Movement at a constant speed is carried out according to the more economical Atkinson cycle. Accelerating, we return to the Otto cycle. From the driver's point of view, the 200t is a fairly dynamic engine, but it is clearly weaker in the lower registers.

It is paired with an 8-speed G AI-Shift transmission that supports shift planning with an overload sensor. Based on this, it determines whether downshifting, upshifting or staying in the current gear is required. When shifting gears - up and down, for a while we squeeze the half-clutch, which, as it were, “pushes” the car forward. When this happens in a corner, sudden oversteer can sometimes occur. Downshifting by 2-3 gears requires passing through each of them, which affects the speed of such an operation.

There was also a hybrid unit typical of Toyota and Lexus. 300h accommodates a 2,5-liter twin-injection petrol engine with 181 hp. under the hood and a 143 hp electric motor. Together they deliver 223 hp. to the rear axle through the E-CVT transmission. This engine only works in the Atkinson cycle, and yet allows you to reach “hundreds” in 8,6 seconds. The maximum torque of 221 Nm is in the range of 4200-5400 rpm, and in a continuously variable transmission it is not. should be of particular interest to us. RPMs, and with them torque, are selected based on throttle setting and instantaneous engine load.

The above two engine types can be found in both RC and GS models. However, the limousine can also drive 450 hp, which consists of a bulky 3.5-liter V6 and a water-cooled inverter in the electric motor. This tandem can produce 345 hp, which will allow you to accelerate the car to 100 km / h in 5,9 seconds, 450h definitely sounds the best and begging for RC. And it beats, but not in Poland. There is also an 306WD RC in the US, as well as a 3.5hp 6 VXNUMX engine. 

Both cars are available in F-Sport versions. This is not only a styling package, but also serious improvements to the chassis. AT Lexus RC The 200-tonne F-Sport means you can buy a Torsen limited-slip differential and Variable Speed ​​Suspension (AVS) that can independently change damping force on all wheels to provide comfort and stability in a variety of road conditions. The Lexus GS will also get AVS in the F-Sport and Luxury versions, but instead of the Torsen, the sporty 450h will get Lexus Dynamic Handling, which includes all-wheel steering and adaptive power steering.

Modern and luxurious

The two Lexus novelties didn't surprise us, as we've already seen them in "F" versions. This lack of surprise, however, does not have too many negative qualities here. RC F and GS F attracted attention with their appearance and spoiled the workmanship. Those few levels of equipment below, with a much lower price tag, could be just as good on the inside. In terms of performance, we got a more comfortable suspension setup, but both the RC and GS still handle confidently. It's not that V8 models are radically stiff and break their backs. Now this spectacular limousine and beautiful coupe have become a little more affordable. To what extent?

Prizes Lexus RC They start at PLN 189 for the 900t model in the Elegance version. However, this level of equipment already gives us leatherette upholstery, dual-zone air conditioning, cruise control, heated seats with power adjustment, a Pioneer audio system with a 200-inch screen and Bluetooth connectivity. F-Sport level incl. with an LFA-style dashboard, natural leather and a rear-view camera costs a minimum of PLN 7. The top version of the Prestige costs PLN 229. We have to pay an additional PLN 900 249 for the 900 hour version. 

The Lexus GS, as befits a presidential limousine, costs a bit more. The minimum amount we would have to spend is PLN 199 for a model with a 600 t engine in the Elite version. We get an 200-inch display that controls, among other things, a 8-speaker audio system with rearview camera and 12-inch wheels, but we won't see leather upholstery, parking sensors or a smart key as standard. In the pre-sale offer, the upgraded Elegance version costs PLN 18 instead of PLN 226. A higher standard will be provided by two top options - one sporty - F Sport, the other - more classic - Prestige. The first costs at least PLN 400, the second costs PLN 199. We also have to pay extra PLN 000 265 for a 500h engine, but until 281h, in my opinion, the most interesting thing about this fare is only PLN 000. 

It is worth noting that these cars have already managed to interest a fairly large group of buyers. In the pre-sale itself, at least 50 Lexus RCs were ordered, which already exceeds the number of RC Fs on our roads. Cars reached customers for several weeks.