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2016 Lexus RC Coupe Revealed, Gets 200t Model with 241 HP 2-liter Turbo

Having been introduced as a 2015 model year, the Lexus RC coupe continues to impress with three brand new engines being introduced with the 2016 model year.
2016 Lexus RC 17 photos
Photo: Lexus
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The first is the 2-liter turbo everybody has been talking about these days. We know what sort of equipment Lexus stuffed into the engine, but it's interesting to look at the specs. The official output is 241 hp and 258 lb-ft (349 Nm) of torque. Using the standard 8-speed automatic, this coupe can get to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a somewhat pedestrian 7.5 seconds.

We could compare it to the BMW 428i or the Mercedes equivalent, but you already know what we're going to say.

Also new is the 2016 Lexus RC 300 AWD model. No, we didn't forget to put the 'h' for hybrid at the end of the number. The car uses a de-tuned 3.5-liter V6 engine to deliver 255 hp and 236 lb-ft (319 Nm) of torque to all four wheels by using a six-speed automatic gearbox.

And finally, the RC 350 model now uses the latest Toyota 3.5-liter V6 with 306 horsepower. A standard eight-speed Sports Program Direct Shift (SPDS) transmission is used to send the goods to the rear wheels. You can even have AWD with this engine, but that means you will have to put up with the older 6-speed auto.

Considering the RC coupe is only a year old, we're not surprised that exterior changes are limited. But there's a new exterior color called Eminent White Pearl available on all models. The F Sport pack can now be equipped with orange brake calipers, an interesting combination with blue paint. A limited slip differential is another option that could help Lexus compete with BMW.

Guessing the RC 200t price

Lexus hasn't released pricing information about its 2016 models, but we suspect the RC 200t will reduce the cost of the coupe. But we do know there's a $3,500 gap between the IS 200t and the IS 350. So the first turbocharged Lexus 2-door model should sticker for around $40,200.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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