The RC F’s cabin is a rich, strange, comfortable and deeply impressive yet still often frustrating bubble. It’s no great departure, though – a Lexus interior of the kind we’ve grown used to in recent years.
Which means, for starters, that it’s appointed and finished with superbly consistent quality throughout. It means that the seats are large, soft and smoothly stitched, and the dashboard and other fixtures are rock solid and expensive to the touch. It also means that the fascia, steering wheel and transmission tunnel are about as button-littered and type-festooned as the pilot’s console of a Soyuz space rocket.
As for the standard equipment, there are two trims - RC F and RC F Carbon. Entry-level models include adaptive suspension, Brembo brakes, a limited slip differential, lane departure warning, electrically adjustable, heated and folding mirrors, automatic lights and wipers, LED headlights, a retractable rear spoiler and 19in alloy wheels on the outside as standard, while inside there is cruise control, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, semi-aniline leather upholstery, ventilated sports seats and a 7.0in Lexus infotainment system complete with sat nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth and two USB connectivity.
The range-topping Carbon model gets lashings of carbonfibre, a torque vectoring differential, an Alcantara upholstery, heated front sports seats and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.
This is another Lexus to junk the mouse-like controller the firm used previously and adopt a tunnel-mounted touch-sensitive pad via which you move the cursor on the 7.0in multimedia display. This 'Remote Touch interface' works fairly well, but not well enough, evidently, for Lexus to avoid the need to draft in some back-up.
Part of the problem is that UK drivers sit on the right, obliging you to use your left fingertip to do the pointing — and for right-handed people, that’s a bit tricky. An Audi MMI-style rotary dial is much easier. But there’s haptic feedback to help — in this case, dialled up to a sensible level — and Lexus makes the icons and buttons you’re aiming for on the 7.0in multimedia screen usefully large.
The screen itself could also be larger. As we’ve said before, 7.0in isn’t generous by premium-brand standards, and it seems meaner still when blank space is left between the edge of the display and the frame of the setting.
There are, therefore, at least three ways to skip a track on your iPod and four ways to tune the radio. You can change climate control preferences using the touchpad and multimedia screen, or the more familiar HVAC console.
Counting the drive mode rotary controller as well, there seems barely a square inch of flat, driver-facing real estate that doesn’t have a switch or knob on it. Once you’ve worked out what they’re all for, their presence makes certain processes easier. But Lexus badly needs to bring clearer hierarchy and simplicity to its fascias.
Occupant space is broadly competitive for a 2+2 coupé, though. Some rivals offer more space, but the RC F’s front seats are roomy and the back ones big enough for kids or occasional use. The driving position is sound but not perfect for sports car. It’s higher than some, with slightly offset pedals and a steering column that doesn’t offer the utmost adjustability.
The RC F hits back with excellent power and clarity from the optional Mark Levinson premium audio system and an equally usable and clear Bluetooth phone set-up, but its multimedia system's online and social media functionality could be better.
