LFA DNA, Everyday
The dream for nearly any petrolhead is to own a supercar of some kind. When the Lexus LFA first came out we, along with many others, were in awe, as Lexus showed up with one of the greatest supercars of all time. The reality is that most people will never come close to owning such a car, but over time, the technology and advancements they came with trickle down into the more accessible range. But even with that trickle down effect, and the direct inspiration taken, can a consumer level car harness that specialness? The Lexus RC350 takes on the challenge with many parts inspired from that truly special LFA, and new this year is the Blackline edition.
The RC350 is lively, powered by an aggressively-tuned 3.5L V6 producing 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It’s a solid amount of power, but it’s also not the kind of speed that'll instantly lose you your license, so you can still enjoy that acceleration repsonsibly.
The power is delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission engineered to optimize power delivery and maximize engine efficiency. With the ability to operate in manual mode the RC350 is equipped with excellent paddle shifters that are much more rewarding to use than some of the German competition. The shifts are solid, you feel each one as the next gear grabs hold, and as it downshifts in 0.2 seconds. Even the tachometer is exciting, all of it being digital with a physical ring that shifts depending on the driving mode. More than that, and the g-force monitor is the rev counter, which, inspired by the LFA, as you reach for the higher RPMs, the tachometer changes, turning orange at the top end, and as you shift the needle swiftly drops while leaving a blue ‘shadow’ showing you where you shifted. This tachometer is rewarding, exciting, so much more engaging than the standard setup. The shifts are quick. Maybe not LFA quick, but like that supercar, it feels like an analog readout couldn’t keep up with this lively unit.
The suspension system is tuned to be responsive while still providing comfort, which it excelled at. The ride was never harsh, handling the bumps with grace and at the same time felt sporty enough to provide plenty of confidence in cornering. It’s sturdy, and planted, while still providing enough support to be a proper touring car.
The RC350 is a great looking car, as it has been with each iteration. It’s a proper balance of sporty and luxury, it truly stands out on the road. The limited edition, based on the F Sport Series 3 trim, gains unique black 19” alloy F SPORT wheels, black mirrors, exhaust and grille. Wrapping around the grille is a bronze border, showcasing the lines on the front end. It looks big, which it is, with it’s large front end, large coupe doors, and the back end, which isn't quite as sizable, but still has plenty of trunk space. The only negative bit to note on the looks really would be the wheel gap on the front wheel, which seemed too much, as if it was temporarily set for an approaching speed bump, but this was the constant height.
Inside, the RC350 is more luxurious, with a secondary focus on sportiness. The Blackline edition features black seats with silver stitching and a wood ash trim detail throughout. The seats are comfortable, and at the same time ultra supportive, able to hold in place during hard cornering. The front feels roomy, with the large center console, leg room and large glass surrounding you. The rear, on the other hand, has very little leg room. It may have seats in the back, but I don’t think there is any intent to use them regularly. At least not with a full grown adult. Visibility is decent, even with those large C-pillars. The magnetic clasp for the seat belt loop is a small detail that is truly appreciated, not just saving your shoulder but also being easy to work with when you need to access the rear. The best part about the cabin, or the driving, comes down to the aforementioned paddles and dashboard, providing a truly engaging experience. To add to this engagement is the ASC control knob, which, inspired by the LFA, feeds sound from the intake into the cabin. With it turned off, the car gives a low, throaty growl. With the ASC on full, there’s a high whine added in that is reminiscent of the legendary LFA exhaust. It’s never going to be the same as the LFA, but it sounds superb, and it’s controllable.
The infotainment system is pretty standard fare. The screen is well implemented into the design, but the resolution is lacking and the software design seems dated for a car this modern. The laptop style tracking is decent once you get used to it, though it may not be a fan favourite. It has a reverse camera, but the quality isn’t on par with the competition and it also shuts off outside of reverse, removing the use of the camera while pulling forward to set up for parking. The Mark Levinson audio is great, but we wouldn’t say it’s any better than the lower premium options. There’s even a CD drive, if you have any still kicking around that you listen to.
The Lexus RC350 Blackline is an extraordinary luxury coupe. While it may not have the same performance numbers as some of its competition, as they were sacrificed for comfort, it’s just as thrilling to drive, and possibly more engaging. The RC350 may even stand out more, and with Lexus’ track record for reliability, your mind can be eased from not worrying about the maintenance that the others seem to constantly need.
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