Lexus RC Coupe Wins Hearts and Minds as Driver Power’s Number One Sports Car

The Lexus RC emerged as the country’s top-rated sports car when Britain’s motorists had their say in this year’s Auto Express Driver Power survey. More than that, it also topped the poll as the nation’s best model overall when it comes to reliability and build quality.

Quality and reliability are fundamental to the success of any car, but the RC adds emotional appeal that resonates with sports car owners.

This year, the coupe underwent a series of detailed changes directly influenced by its sister model, the multi-award-winning LC – the flagship coupe in the Lexus range. This delivered design detail changes for a “sharp-yet-elegant” look and even better aerodynamic performance, retuned suspension and improvements in steering feel and engine responsiveness.

All RC models offer the peace of mind of Lexus Safety System+ active safety systems, together with Lexus’s Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, which ensures optimum co-operation between the car’s stability and braking systems.

Today the RC is exclusively powered by a 220bhp self-charging hybrid powertrain, featuring a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle engine. It’s exceptionally efficient, yet provides the kind of response required of a sporty coupe: nought to 62mph can be dispatched in 8.6 seconds, yet official combined cycle fuel consumption is 40.82 to 47.55 mpg (WLTP data) with CO₂ emissions at a tax-friendly 114g/km.

For those who want a more overtly sporting look and performance, the RC F Sport amplifies all the key elements with more powerful styling, led by an eye-catching rendition of the signature Lexus spindle grille, 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, ultra-compact LED headlights in a triple-stacked arrangement, orange-painted brake callipers and Adaptive Variable Suspension.

Commenting on the findings from its survey, Auto Express confirmed that “owners love their RC’s engines and gearboxes and rate the interior quality and design.”

It added: “Crucially for a sporty coupe, the RC is fantastic to drive.”

ENDS