Performance Review: Lexus RC 350 3.5 V6 - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lexus RC Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lexus RC 350 3.5 V6 is the 8 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Lexus RC has a 3456cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The RC shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the RC's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1695 kgs (3736 lbs) this makes the Lexus RC 350 3.5 V6 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Lexus RC shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3456cc 24V V6 engine produces 314 bhp (234 kW) @ 6400 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 280 lb-ft (379.6 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lexus RC you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (210.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lexus RC.

The Lexus RC has a Power to weight ratio of 185.2 bhp per ton and 165.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 RC competing with the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (210.1 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS 5.7 V8 (210.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lexus RC generating around 165.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1985 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (190.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Giulietta 235 Cloverleaf (190.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.9 secs, this made the Lexus RC 350 3.5 V6 as fast as the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the or the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 280 (5.70 secs). This Lexus RC 350 3.5 V6 is also faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the and the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the RC and the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel

When talking about the performance of the Lexus RC on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.48 secs @ 94.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel (14.41 secs), the 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS (14.42 secs), and the 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (14.42 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the Lexus RC 350 3.5 V6 has a maximum speed of 145mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 RC equals the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 Lexus RC 350 3.5 V6 then how about the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph), the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (156 mph), or the 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (156 mph).

Related Links:

2013 RC Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lexus

Car Comparison