Lexus turbocharges RC coupe

Japanese luxury car-maker Lexus has announced it will launch a new entry-level variant of its two-door sports coupe, the RC 200t.

As the fourth vehicle to be powered by the relatively new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine first seen in the NX crossover, the Lexus RC 200t will pump 180kW and 350Nm through its eight-speed automatic transmission.

Benefits the new 2.0-litre turbo-four will bring to the RC range, which currently consists of non-turbo 233kW 3.5-litre V6 and 351kW 5.0-litre V8 engines, include improved fuel economy, lower weight and – importantly -- a lower price.

The mid-size rear-wheel drive two-door RC series currently starts at $66K for the RC 350 and tops out at $147K for the V8-powered RC F. The four-pot turbo will provide a price-leader that could start at around $55,000, increasing the buyer demographic considerably.

Already priced significantly below six- and eight-cylinder rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe, Audi A5 Coupe and BMW 4 Series, the new turbo coupe from Lexus has to the potential to boost sales numbers for the importer – something it must do if it's to catch the Germans.

For the first six months of 2015 a total of 290 Lexus RC vehicles have been registered, accounting for around seven per cent of the premium sports car segment.

That compares with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe's 23.9 per cent share (984 sales) and the segment-leading BMW 4 Series with 25.5 per cent market share (1055 sales).

It's not yet clear if the entry-level Lexus RC 200t will be offered with an optional F Sport kit bringing bigger wheels and bolder body work, but Lexus Australia's chief executive, Sean Hanley, reckons the new model will offer "great performance and responsiveness that will combine to provide a thrilling drive in the RC 200t."

Expected to offer improved handling dynamics thanks to less weight over the front axle (the smaller engine weighs 160kg), it's clear that Lexus has more tricks in store for the RC – particularly after we sampled the RC F CCS-R, which weighs 400kg less than the regular RC F.

Hanley says the lighter, more affordable RC 200t will provide customers with "an ideal introduction to the world of the outstanding, highly regarded RC coupe."

The Lexus RC 200t will arrive in Australia in time for Christmas with pricing and standard equipment to be confirmed nearer to its December launch.