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Biased Review: 2015 Lexus RC 350 F
2015 Lexus RC 350 F
MB Says: I love the Lexus RC 350 F. It's at the top of list of my all-time favorites. Consider yourself forewarned -- this is not an objective review.
A NEW SPORT COUPE THAT SATISFIED
EVERY NEED AND THEN SOME
by Marty Bernstein
Senior Editor-At-Large
The Auto Channel
People usually fall into two categories when it comes to who buy
sports-cars: the midlife crisis group and those who are speed obsessed.
There's another group who want a vehicle, specifically a coupe, that is
unique in its design, has power and acceleration when they want it, is easy
and fun to drive, is nimble and responsive, rides terrifically, has the
required techno-and-info –tainment features and conveniences and
doesn't cost a small fortune. But they don’t want a car that’s
so low to the ground it’s difficult to get in and out, has a harsh,
stiff ride, is a cop magnet and lacks creature comforts and amenities.
Can’t be done, right? Wrong.
As an auto journalist I drive an incredible number of new cars every
year from the very expensive to the not-so-costly and from SUVs to sedans
to crossovers to trucks, always striving for objectivity in my reviews.
Not this time! Not with this review.
I love the Lexus 350 F. It's at the top of list of my all-time
favorites. Consider yourself forewarned -- this is not an objective review.
The RC 350 F looks great, no … it is sensational with an exterior
sheetmetal design that is sleek, graceful, impressive and head turning
without looking ostentatious or pretentious. Its lines are dynamic not
dramatic. It is not exotic or over the top for the sake of being exotic or
over the top. The front is striking in its simplicity while the rear,
especially the ends of the rear fenders is aggressive. Riding on slightly
oversize 19” spoke wheels gives it an air of authority while LED
headlamps and brake lights add a dazzling affect for the L shaped running
lights. The package does not impose a negative perception of the
owner/driver. It’ll turn heads because it’s exceptional.
Under the hood Lexus chose a naturally aspirated V6 for its
instantaneous response and performance-driving character. It sounds like a
proper GT car, with a distinct but refined growl under acceleration and a
pleasingly present but quiet demeanor when cruising. An intake sound
generator further enhances sonic appeal under acceleration. The overall
effect is memorable, but never abrasive, and doesn’t intrude on
conversation or music enjoyment. For the engineering crowd the 3.5-liter
Lexus 2GR-FSE V6 propels the 2015 RC 350 with 306 horsepower and 277
lb.-ft. of torque that gets you going quickly with an eight speed
transmission that combines the best of both worlds: torque converter
smoothness with shifting speed of a dual-clutch unit when shifting
manually.
Now let’s get in the car. Just touch the door handle and a LED
will light your way. Pulling the handle opens the door that swings wide
which makes getting in and out of the car easy because this is not a knee
bending exercise especially if one has arthritis or an old sports injury.
Sliding into the seat easily because it not bottom dragging, which is not
always the case in true sport cars or wanna-be's which often require an
orthopedic visit or a chiropractor’s adjustment. The seat is well
bolstered with ample padding is comfortable and is good looking as well as
good sitting.
There’s a feeling of elegance in the cockpit of this Lexus.
Instrumentation and gauges are low-tech-simple for hi-tech-components. They
are easy to read day and night with a legible typeface which makes them
logical, ergonomic and effective. The gauge design is directly descended
from the LFA supercar, using full-length illuminated needles and needle
rings, and a white outer band with inverted colors.
The comfortable steering wheel has controls for the most often need
to be adjusted infotainment devices. The center-stack – call it
cockpit center – has a no-glare mat finish with individual adjustment
switches and that allow ones finger to move the temperature by simply
sliding the strip up or down between blue for cold and red for hotter.
The touch pad control device (think computer mouse) however is way
too sensitive in addition to being difficult to manage. Adjusting the ride
and driving dynamics is controlled by a dial that adjusts to three modes:
Normal, sport and Eco. Audio geeks are guaranteed a vastly superior sound
system from Mark Levinson that will fulfil their stringent requirements for
music no matter the genre.
Space age technology with a variety of acronym names devices that
monitor and inform for driving safety including lane departure warning and
others are intrusive when they should be, automatic when needed and wanted.
And to further enhance the experience is a palate of eight
remarkable exterior colors (my test car was called Infrared and it was just
gorgeous) that is augmented with a variety of interior trims. Lots of air
bags, super strength steel and way too many features to list here (so get all the specs, features, dimensions, capacities and comparisons behind the links below). Price of
the car driven for this review was $53,415.
This is a great looking car that is on my bucket list and one that
deserves your attention if you’re looking for the drive of your life
in a sports coupe that brings the joys of a sportscar without any of the
perceived negatives.
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