The first official pictures of the thrilling new Lexus RC Coupé have been revealed ahead of the car’s global debut at the Tokyo motor show on 20 November 2013.

MORE PICTURES at the bottom of this page…

Sister car to the new Lexus IS, the Lexus RC is inspired by the design of the hugely popular Lexus LF-LC concept car and features the widest, lowest-set evolution of the Lexus spindle grille yet seen. Finished in a glowing red, a new Lexus painting process gives the colour brighter and stronger contrasts by using multiple layers of clear and deeper-coloured coating.

At the front, triangular headlamps help to differentiate this car from the Lexus IS saloon. The novel three-lamp LED configuration that was part of the LF-LC’s design is also preserved. At the rear, the sharp, thin appearance of the rear combination lamps follows the shape of the Lexus L motif while the aluminium wheels keep the “concept car for the road” feel.

For production, two designs are on offer: a deeply sculpted, 10-spoke 19-inch wheel, and a muscular, five-spoke 18-inch version. Both are precision-machined and finished with elegant black and platinum centre caps. Inside, the four-seat RC is also strongly influenced by Lexus’s recent concept cars, and makes extensive use of contrasting colours, materials and lighting.

The purpose-designed lighting package gives a sense of occasion, with illumination that reflects upwards rather than down to add a little more drama to the cabin’s dashboard. The high-contrast trim, including a striking new colour called Clove, emphasises the elegant lines around the interior, together with shimamoku highlights – a genuine wood finish created using an intense layering technique refined by Lexus.

The driver’s cockpit follows the established Lexus design principle of an upper operation zone, and lower display zone. The upper zone houses the instrument panel and seven-inch navigation screen; lower down the layered centre console integrates the Remote Touch Interface controller. The seats are made using an integrated foaming construction, similar to the moulding technique used in motorsport, to provide excellent comfort and support.

The RC measures 4,695mm long, 1,840mm wide and 1,395mm high, with a 2,730mm wheelbase, but full technical details will not be revealed until after the car has been unveiled. However, we can confirm two versions will be unveiled: the RC 350, with a 3.5-litre V6 engine; and the RC 300h hybrid, with a 2.5-litre unit.

Further details of the UK engine and gearbox line-up will be announced in 2014.

Stay tuned…

Lexus will host a press conference at Tokyo motor show for the unveiling of the new RC at 8:45am local time (00:45am GMT) on 20 November. The event will also be broadcast in a live webstream, which you can view here.

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