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Lexus adds RC 200t, RC 300 AWD for 2016

Do you really like the Lexus RC 350, but wish it had just a bit lower cost of entry? Good news for you then, as Lexus has just added a pair of new models to its two-door lineup. The RC now mimics the powertrain options for the 2016 IS. The new RC 200t slashes the cost of entry for the two-door Lexus, but it's unclear by how much. Lexus hasn't published pricing for the 241-horsepower, 258-pound-foot 200t, although we can come up with a ballpark based on the four-door model. The IS 200t starts at $38,265 compared to the IS 350's $41,810 price. Assuming the cars are similarly scaled, there's roughly a $3,500 price difference between the 350 and the 200t, so our best guess for the RC 200t is $40,200. As for the new RC 300 AWD, it uses the same 3.5-liter V6 as the IS 300, offering up 255 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque with standard all-wheel drive. As for the RC's other V6 option, the RC 350 will continue to be offered up with both rear- or all-wheel drive. Power output remains pegged at 306 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Scroll on for the full press blast on the new RC, which will also come with a smattering of smaller changes for 2016. Related Video: LEXUS RC COUPE ENHANCED FOR 2016 WITH TRIO OF ENGINE CHOICES - NEW TURBOCHARGED ENGINE AND V6 AWD Three Engine Options: 241 hp Turbocharged 4-Cylinder, 255 hp V6 and 306 hp V6 Ultra-Stiff Platform for Exceptional Handling F SPORT Model with Electronic Suspension Damping and Rear-Wheel Steering Available Lexus Enform Service Connect Offers Peace of Mind October 02, 2015 -- The RC luxury sport coupe was introduced to Lexus' stable for the 2015 model year and it returns for 2016 model year with new engine variants. The new RC 200t and RC 300 AWD join the RC 350 for a more extensive luxury coupe line-up that offers drivers more horsepower options to fit their needs. In addition, the Lexus RC features several other changes for 2016. The RC 200t F SPORT and 350 RWD F SPORT now offer optional orange brake callipers and Limited Slip differential. Performance dampers are standard for RC 200t and available for RC 350 RWD F SPORT. Eminent White Pearl exterior paint replaces Starfire Pearl. Drivers can now opt in for additional peace of mind with Lexus Enform Service Connect. Lexus Enform Service Connect (one-year complimentary subscription) allows customers to remotely view information about certain aspects of their Lexus vehicle via the MyLexusandBeyond mobile application for iOS smartphone users or LexusDrivers.com.

Lexus teases its fourth flagship model

Out of nowhere, Lexus has dropped a teaser for a new vehicle to be revealed very soon. And it sounds like it's not just any model addition. The company describes it in press releases as its fourth flagship and as a "one-of-a-kind." The other flagships the company refers to are the LS sedan, LC coupe and LX SUV. Unfortunately for us, it's darn difficult to tell what the teaser is of. All we can really make out are the colors of a dark bronze and piano black. There's also a silver cylinder just standing at the edge of the image. There aren't any lights or door handles or other visible vehicle parts. Still, since Lexus refers to it as a new flagship, we presume this teaser is of a new vehicle. While the brand may seem to have a full flagship lineup among the three aforementioned models, one of them is increasingly an outlier: the LX. While it is indeed a top-rung SUV, its body-on-frame construction and off-road capabilities make it less of a real on-road competitor to new flagship crossovers such as the new Audi Q8 and upcoming BMW X7. As such, we have a feeling the teaser could be to a flagship crossover, and it will probably be based on the LF-1 Limitless concept shown at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. The company has already expressed a strong desire to produce something like it. It seems like a pretty safe bet unless this all turns out to be a corny branding exercise in which Lexus launches a cologne or stereo system inspired by its flagship cars. At least we won't have long to learn what the mystery product is, since the company said more information would come 24 hours after the teaser dropped. Related Video: Image Credit: Lexus Lexus Luxury lexus lf-1 limitless

Lexus files to copyright LC 500 nameplates [UPDATE]

UPDATE: Reached for comment, Lexus told Autoblog that it "cannot offer comment on the potential naming of a production version of the LF-LC concept" and pointed out that automakers trademark nameplates as a matter of course. Some automakers already slap a production-ready name on their concepts, but not Lexus. The Japanese automaker typically labels its show cars with the letters LF-XX. So when we heard that Toyota had green-lit the LF-LC concept for production, we naturally started wondering what name the production version would carry. But if the latest intel is any indication, we can stop wondering. According to Lexus Enthusiast, the automaker has filed to trademark the names LC 500 and LC 500h in a variety of markets – including the United States, Canada and Australia. The application tells us a number of things: first of all, that the LF-LC will retain that second set of letters along the road to production (like the NX but unlike other recent Lexus concepts). And secondly, it indicates what engines we can expect to find under the hood. The 500 designation would seem to suggest that the base version of Lexus' upcoming halo sports car will pack the 5.0-liter V8 from the RC F. The bigger question mark is over the hybrid version. Current gasoline-electric models in the company's lineup include the RX 450h (based on a 3.5-liter V6) and the LS 600h (with a 5.0-liter V8). For the LC 500h, Lexus could be planning a more potent electric motor to mate to the 3.5L V6, or planning a new powertrain altogether.