New 2027 Lexus RC Engine, Redesign, Configurations

New 2027 Lexus RC Engine, Redesign, Configurations –  Time stands still for no one—or no car—and the 2027 Lexus RC is showing its age. Thanks to its contemporary styling, however, it’s aging like a fine wine rather than one of those bottles of sensationally named, flavor-infused alcohol drinks found on the counters of gas station convenience stores. Still, its stately looks can’t hide its dated chassis and engines. New 2027 Lexus RC Engine

New 2027 Lexus RC Redesign and Update Plan

The 2027 Lexus RC carries over virtually unchanged, with the addition of a Cloudburst Gray exterior finish as the only update. The ride is smooth and interior luxe, but newer players have livelier, more advanced powertrains and sharper dynamics. The RC features a turbocharged inline-four standard; opting for all-wheel drive or stepping up to the RC350 brings a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6.

But even the V-6 version in the available F Sport trim lacks the immediacy and bravado of some of its European competition. For that, there is the RC F (reviewed separately), which packs a thumping V-8 and a tuned suspension. As a relaxed personal luxury coupe, however, the RC is a dignified choice that prioritizes style, furnishings, and comfort above all else. For a certain buyer, that’s more than enough. New 2027 Lexus RC Engine

Exterior & Interior

Interior quality, comfort, and layout are the RC’s most appealing features—at least for the front passengers. Know that the rear seats in all RC variants are for limited use, with priority given to small, flexible types who won’t mind maneuvering into position. The front seats, however, are inviting and supportive, and the leather even feels a little better than it should.

Dual-zone climate controls are standard, and the interior is seriously quiet at any speed. Cargo capacity is not a strong suit, although the RC’s trunk swallowed four of our carry-on cases, five with the rear seat folded flat. For a pair of occupants, however, the RC provides a luxurious cocoon in which to spend time as the miles pass. Be forewarned that the low roofline and fastback design that pinches interior space also creates some pretty epic blind spots. New 2027 Lexus RC Engine

New 2027 Lexus RC Specs

An 8.0-inch touchscreen is standard, with a 10.3-inch touchscreen optional. Thankfully, now that the screens are touch-capable, the sometimes-bewildering console-mounted remote touchpad no longer has a monopoly on controlling the infotainment system. CarPlay, Android auto and Amazon Alexa are standard; onboard Wi-Fi is available. Audio lovers will want to pony up ($2725) for the Premium audio package that includes a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system bundled with the larger 10.3-inch touchscreen and navigation. The price is steep, but the sound is sweet. New 2027 Lexus RC Engine

Engine & Performance

The base RC is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder good for 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Full torque is available at 1,650 rpm, so while not overtly quick, it won’t leave you waiting to too long to get up to speed. Opting for all-wheel drive brings the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 and a six-speed transmission. Horsepower increases to 260, but torque is down a bit to 236 pound-feet. The V-6 in the RC350 is tuned for 311 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.

Again, the rear-wheel drive variant employs an eight-speed transmission whereas the all-wheel drive model has a six-speed automatic. In our testing, we found this engine to be smoother than the four, but the RC350 is still not as gutsy as rivals. While it managed a 5.6-second run to 60 mph, the BMW 440i coupe we tested did the deed in 4.4 seconds—a performance difference that feels a lot bigger than it looks on paper. Although the RC isn’t completely devoid of game, and it’ll play along with moderate enthusiasm, ride comfort is where it succeeds—and it does so with honors. New 2027 Lexus RC Engine

New 2027 Lexus RC Fuel Economy

The most efficient Lexus RC variant is the rear-wheel drive RC with turbocharged four-cylinder, which earned an EPA fuel-economy rating of 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. It returned a disappointing 29 mpg in our real-world 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, though. Just off from its EPA estimate, it’s still below the number returned by many higher-powered rivals that either matched or surged past their own EPA highway estimates. In fact, the more powerful RC350 F Sport we tested exactly matched the results of the turbo four. Speaking of which, the RC350 is rated for 20 city and 28 highway and 19 and 26 mpg, respectively, with all-wheel drive. New 2027 Lexus RC Engine

New 2027 Lexus RC Safety Features

Though the 2027 Lexus RC has not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it “good” ratings across its battery of tests. Additionally, the 2024 RC comes with several key driver-assistance technology features standard, including radar cruise control, automatic braking and more as parts of the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 package. For more information about the RC’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning
• Standard adaptive cruise control. New 2027 Lexus RC Engine

New 2027 Lexus RC Release Date & Price

The price of the 2027 Lexus RC starts at $45,920 and goes up to $53,470 depending on the trim and options. At this stage of its life, the RC is more the distinguished gentleman than boy racer, so we feel that most buyers will be happiest with the base RC model. If performance is a priority, we feel the $2930 upcharge required to step up to the 311-hp RC350 is better directed to the much hotter, 472-hp RC F—or at competitors such as the Audi A5 and the BMW 4-series. Those who desire all-wheel drive can have it for a few thousand dollars more.

We’d also opt for the Premium package that adds heated-and-ventilated front seats with memory for the seats, mirrors, and steering wheel, plus heated exterior mirrors and rain-sensing windshield wipers. There’s also a weather package with windshield wiper deicers, headlamp washers, water-repellent front-door glass, and a fast-response interior heater. New 2027 Lexus RC Engine