2018 Lexus RC Gets Modest Enhancements, Confusing Nomeclature

Lexus has announced a series of revisions to its RC coupe lineup, the most notable of them a modest increase in output and a renaming of some of the versions available.

For 2018, the RC 200t has been replaced by the RC 300. At this point you may be thinking that Lexus already offered an RC 300, and you’re right. But now it offers two.

Despite the nomenclature, the RC 300 RWD keeps the same 2.0-liter turbo four as the previous RC 200t, rated at the same 241 horsepower – only now it has a different name. The RC 300 AWD packs an entirely different engine: a 3.5-liter V6 now rated at 260 hp, representing a five-horse increase over last year’s model.

The latter is the same engine as you’ll find in the rear-drive and all-wheel drive versions of the RC 350, but in that model it produces 311 hp (also five hp more than the existing version). An eight-speed automatic transmits the power to the rear wheels, or a six-speed to all four.

Confusing? You betcha. And we’re not quite sure why Lexus has undertaken such a move, but we won’t be surprised to see it do the same with other models powered by that same 2.0-liter turbo – including the NX and RX crossovers and the IS and GS sedans.

Other enhancements for 2018 are relatively minor. There’s a larger 10.3-inch infotainment screen, some new safety and entertainment systems, added drive modes on F Sport variants, and a new shade of yellow for the latter.