MOTOR RIVALS

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe cuts a fine figure on the road and embodies modern luxury. At the same time, its interior raises elegance and style to a sporty level. Lightweight construction to reduce weight, excellent aerodynamics, and a dynamically configured chassis, with optional air suspension, form the basis for a high level of suspension comfort, low road noise and tire vibration, agile handling, and driving pleasure. New assistance systems provide safety of the very highest caliber. As the sportiest variant of the C-Class, the Coupe displays its driving enjoyment-oriented character in an emotional and at the same time formally distinct design.

Powertrain

• C300 Coupe - 2.0L, four-cylinder gas engine - 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque
• C43 Coupe - 3.0-liter V6 Biturbo engine - 362 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque
• 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission
• Rear-wheel-drive and 4MATIC versions
• C300 – 0-60 mph 6.3 seconds; Top speed - 130 mph (electronically limited)
• C43 – 0-60 mph 4.7 seconds; Top speed - 150 mph (electronically limited)

Chassis

• A new 4-link front axle with wheel suspension decoupled from the spring strut - enables sporty axle kinematics for plenty of grip and high lateral stability.
• Multi-link independent rear suspension with 5 links
• A steel sport suspension with tauter springs and damping is standard
• Lowered .6 inches (15mm) compared to the Sedan
• Option of AIRMATIC air suspension on the front and rear axle - electronically controlled, continuously adjustable damping on the front and rear axle. Gives the driver the option of selecting the desired driving style: sporty, comfortable or consumption-optimized.
• AIRMATIC also features all-round self-levelling for excellent ride comfort even with the vehicle loaded.

Technology

• A centrally positioned free-standing central display with a screen diagonal of 7 inches or 8.4 inches if Multimedia Package with the COMAND Infotainment System is selected.
• Innovative touchpad in the handrest over the Controller provides for very simple and intuitive operation of all the head-unit functions using finger gestures. The touchpad also permits letters, numbers and special characters to be entered in handwriting - in any language.
• A head-up display is also new to the C-Class. It displays important information directly in the driver's field of vision on the front windscreen. The system provides information on vehicle speed, speed limits and navigation instructions and displays messages from DISTRONIC PLUS.
• DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist - semi-automatic traffic jam assistant which at speeds under 37 mph is able to follow the vehicle ahead even where lane markings are unclear.
• Tunnel detection via satellite navigation - uses the map information from the navigation system and the GPS location data to close the air recirculation flap automatically when the vehicle enters a tunnel.
• AIR-BALANCE package with active fragrance, air ionization and more efficient filtration than is available on the standard model.
• A completely new multimedia generation offers intuitive operation in the new C-Class.
• Frontbass system - acoustic system uses the space within the cross-member and side member in the body structure as a resonance chamber for the bass speakers.
• Burmester® surround sound system is optionally available.
• Navigation system - features include an animated compass, a "Drive Show" with information for passengers similar to the on-screen presentations on board airplanes and Google Maps displayed on the head unit.
• COMAND offers a larger display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and a special bonded glass cover such as is familiar from consumer devices like the iPhone or iPad.
• mbrace2 connected car technology - available option to have over twenty Mercedes-Benz Apps integrated into the COMAND system.

Safety

• Standard ATTENTION ASSIST, which can warn the driver of inattentiveness and drowsiness.
• Adaptive Brake Assist - offers protection from collisions from speeds as low as 4 mph
• Standard COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS - able to carry out autonomous braking at speeds of up to 124 mph. The system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles at a speed of up to 31 mph, and is able to prevent rear-end collisions at speeds of up to 25 mph.
• BAS PLUS Brake Assist System - can detect crossing traffic and boost the braking force if the driver fails to apply the brakes sufficiently
• PRE-SAFE® Brake - can detect stationary vehicles as well as pedestrians, brake automatically if the driver fails to react, thus preventing accidents up to 31 mph and mitigating the severity of collisions at speeds of up to 45 mph.
• In flowing traffic the PRE-SAFE® Brake provides assistance according to the same mode of operation throughout the speed range from 4 to 124 mph.
• Enhanced Active Lane Keeping Assist - can prevent the vehicle from unintentionally drifting out of lane when broken lane markings apply and a risk of a collision arises by applying the brakes on one side.
• Numerous airbags include: pelvis bags for driver and front passenger; a newly developed window bag; side bags for the outer rear seats; a knee bag for the driver.
• The front passenger seat is fitted as standard with automatic child seat recognition. The airbag is automatically deactivated when a child seat is fitted and reactivated once it has been removed.
• Climate control with satellite navigation

The luxury-sport coupe category is about to get a lot hotter. The Lexus RC 350 arrives melding audacious design and high performance like no Lexus before. Engineered as a stand-alone model, rather than as a two-door derivative of a sedan, the RC delivers all the performance, individuality, and unique luxury and technology that its body promises. Lexus expects the RC to attract the next generation of luxury buyers and those new to the brand.

Powertrain

• The 3.5-liter Lexus 2GR-FSE V6 propels the 2015 RC 350 with 306 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque.
• Aluminum block
• Intelligent dual variable valve timing (VVT-i)
• Lexus D-4S system of direct and port fuel injection. With one injector installed in the combustion chamber and a second mounted in the intake port, D-4S combines the strengths of both for maximum efficiency and low emissions.
• Eight-Speed SPDS Transmission
• The SPDS transmission combines the best of both worlds: torque converter smoothness with shifting speed of a dual-clutch unit when shifting manually.
• The SPDS transmission has three driver-selectable modes - NORMAL, SPORT and MANUAL (M)
• Downshifts are made in just 0.10-second in M mode
• Throttle blipping control matches the engine speed to the gear

Chassis

• Front suspension is double wishbone
• Rear suspension is multi-link with a toe control arm
• Monotube dampers offer ideal damping and control
• Most of the suspension components are new
• At the front, the RC gets a new suspension upper support, coil spring, damper, stabilizer bar, stabilizer bar bushing and lower number two bushing.
• The rear coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar, and stabilizer bushings all are new for the RC.
• RC 350 F Sport - Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system and the Lexus Dynamic Handling system with Dynamic Rear Wheel Steering. Electric Steering, Electrifying Handling
• Electric power steering (EPS)
• RC 350 F Sport - available Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) automatically changes the steering gear ratio in response to vehicle speed and driving conditions
• Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) - variable damper system designed to enhance ride comfort and body lean control, contributing to natural, smooth changes in vehicle attitude
• The RC 350 RWD and AWD variants have 13.15-inch diameter brake rotors front and rear.
• RC 350 F Sport gets its own 14.06-inch diameter two-piece rotors and high-friction brake pads. The rear brake calipers are lightweight aluminum alloy.

Technology

• A 4.2-inch thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD) at the center of the instrument cluster presents the full-color Multi Information Display (MID)
• Linked to the car's multi-media system, the MID can display vehicle, audio and navigation information.
• Both the standard and optional audio systems play all popular digital formats, whether from CD, iPod®, USB or other device.
• The standard audio system drives its 10 speakers - including a 10-inch subwoofer -- with 256 watts total output.
• Available in the RC, a new Mark Levinson 17-speaker system creates a stunning 360-degree, three-dimensional sonic space. The system produces 835-watts total output while consuming less power than other systems of similar output.
• For navigation equipped vehicles, a new Remote Touchpad uses smartphone-like touch control
• The RC debuts a new version of Blind Spot Monitor with an extended detection area. The system can assist the driver when changing lanes by providing information not only about vehicles in the side mirror blind spot zones. The new system in the RC is able to provide information up to 196 feet behind the vehicle.
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) assists the driver when backing out of a parking space or driveway.

Safety

• Lexus RC has eight SRS airbags, including a dual-stage driver's airbag, dual-stage and dual-chamber front passenger airbag, driver's and passenger's knee airbags, front-seat side airbags and first and second row side curtain airbags.
• All RC 350 models have Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM), the Lexus system that coordinates control of the powertrain, ABS, electric power steering, traction control (TRAC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) systems.
• Available Pre-Collision Brake and Pre-Collision Brake Assist systems. Using the radar sensors of the Adaptive Cruise Control, these systems are designed to detect the potential for a collision between the RC and an obstacle or vehicle ahead.