BUSINESS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2014

KUWAIT: Top management of the Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer & Sons Company, one of the Al-Sayer Group Holding Companies and during the launch of all-new Lexus RC and RC F. — Photos By Yasser Al-Zayyat Take a deep breath with the striking new Lexus RC and Lexus RC F Coupe

Setting new benchmark for Mideast luxury high performance car segment

Photos from the launch event.

KUWAIT: Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer & Sons formance, with ultimate aim of creating spindle grille which is evidence of the November last year, the RC F is the world’s Company, one of the Al-Sayer Group inspired sports coupe driving that embod- brand’s aggressive new design direction. first front-engine, rear-wheel-drive car to Holding Companies and Lexus announced ies the RC & RC F spirit. We all had curiosity From every angle, the low profile, wide make use of a Torque Vectoring Differential the launch of all-new Lexus RC and RC F in to know what RC stands for, but when we stance of the coupe with its short wheel- (TVD) for guaranteed levels of extraordi- the press conference event at Lexus Center, came to know that stands for Radical base and large diameter tires is intended to nary handling and performance. Power is Shuwaikh and later unveiled the cars in a Coupe, we realized that Lexus is seriously provide a visual jolt. Triangular headlamps transferred through a newly calibrated ceremony which was held at The Avenues taking radical change in coupe’s design and evoke the sporty characteristics of the LF- eight-speed transmission. It has wider Mall. future concept.” LC design while concept vehicle inspiration wheels and tires, an active rear wing, air Lexus RC is in the spotlight with its is evident in the unique three-lamp LED scoops, cooling ducts and carbon fiber launch in the Middle East, the stage is set Three points design. components all of which integrate to deliv- for the entry of a highly emotive coupe According to Lexus RC chief engineer The RC is a true four-seater coupe, with er the best from Lexus in terms of ‘func- which signifies a new era for Lexus with its Eiichi Kusama, “Three points - design, per- excellent accommodation for driver and tional beauty’. revolutionary ride and handling capabili- formance and advanced technology are passenger and sufficient space for two rear ties. The RC is a brilliant showcase of the important for RC. To make the exterior seat occupants while delivering an out- Revolutionary driving dynamics best from Lexus as this alluring two-door immediately recognizable, we adopted a standing driving experience to match its The Lexus RC F was designed for opti- coupe shows off its deeply contoured lines design with a compact cabin contrasted by striking looks. mum grip and handling agility, taking full and modern interiors punctuated by pre- boldly protruding fender flares and body advantage of FR vehicle characteristics. All cise handling and invigorating perform- contours etched with deeply sweeping Mubarak Naser Al-Sayer Brilliant driving dynamics aspects were considered, from the vehi- ance to grow the emotional appeal of lines. Creating these characteristic lines Producing power output per liter second cle’s footprint on the road and body rigidi- Lexus vehicles for a new generation of cus- required advanced press technologies that only to the LFA supercar in the Lexus range, ty, to aerodynamics, suspension hardware, tomers. surpass conventional production line stan- the RC signals the next evolution of Lexus brakes, electric power-assisted steering Lexus also takes a major stride in rein- dards. Had we followed conventional think- powertrain engineering. The 3.5-liter V6 calibration and chassis electronics. The forcing its credentials as a leading player in ing, we might have changed the design to petrol engine produces a maximum 314 new sports coupe offers reduced roll, the high performance car segment with the fall within the production standards. But horsepower at 6,400 rpm, and peak torque higher cornering speeds and enhanced launch of the stunning RC F Coupe - the design is the very lifeblood of RC so we set of 38.5 kg-m, to provide a passionate driv- most powerful V8 performance car ever about implementing the production tech- ing experience. The engine has intelligent cornering effectiveness, so less steering developed by the brand. The RC in RC F nology required to build RC. We are very dual variable valve timing (VVT-i), as well as input is required. stands for Radical Coupe and the new RC F proud to develop such a unique coupe the Lexus D-4S system of direct and port The RC F has an all-new 5.0-liter 32- lives up entirely to this concept and Lexus’ which delivers an outstanding driving fuel injection. It is matched to direct-shift valve V8 engine that provides maximum legendary heritage with its killer combina- experience to match its impressive looks. transmissions with Manual Mode, allowing power at higher engine revolutions than tion of futuristic style and performance to The eye-catching design of the RC evokes full torque-converter lock-up from second previously possible. The engine is Lexus’ blaze a new path for Lexus in the Middle anticipation along with its remarkable per- Motor Corporation, said, “The to eighth gears for ‘clutchless’ manual shift- most powerful V8 engine, with 12 per East. formance. Once driven there’s no going Lexus RC coupe represents a thrilling new ing. cent more power than the IS F engine on During the press conference, in the back.” “The RC F is built to enable drivers of frontier for Lexus and injects emotional which it is based. All-new cylinder heads opening speech, Mubarak Naser Al-Sayer all skill levels to enjoy fun-to-drive perform- appeal into the Lexus DNA that is already Innovative technology and lighter moving parts have increased synonymous with build quality, refinement said “I remember very well when RC first ance,” said Lexus RC F chief engineer The new Interface (RTI)as the maximum power of the engine by 54 and reliability. With the RC, we want to raise debuted for the first time in Geneva and Yukihiko Yaguchi. “The RC F lives up to the part of the cockpit ‘operation zone’ in the HP to 471 HP, with maximum revolutions Tokyo Motor Shows back in 2013, I noticed philosophy that F models must be fully the brand’s profile with a broader audience center console is a key highlight of the and new-to-Lexus customers. With a pow- increased from 6800 to 7300rpm. The along with my colleagues how people had capable of running on a circuit as a venue advanced technology features offered by compression ratio has been raised to taken deep breath while approaching the for pursuing driving pleasure freely and erful and responsive engine, phenomenal the RC. It links the driver more directly to handling reinforced by advanced aerody- 12.3:1, to boost torque across the entire display stand. In addition, people were tak- safely. A driver behind the wheel of an RC F the audio and navigation systems of the revolution range. ing extra time to discover RC vs taking less can now immerse himself in pure driving namics and a purpose-built chassis coupled vehicle and was developed to amplify the time passing by models debuted for first pleasure while enjoying a satisfying per- with an equally engaging interior, the RC is tactile feedback of the RC’s sports-coupe time by other brands. We all realized then formance on public roads.” Takayuki truly a unique high-performance machine driving experience. The 4 driver can use the Lexus desires to make ‘sports coupe driving Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative, Middle that emphasizes the attraction of a luxury RTI to select the audio, navigation or sys- pleasure’ the focus of every aspect of per- East and North Africa Representative Office, two-door vehicle. tem information displayed on the center The new Lexus RC F coupe has been screen without looking down while driving. designed for optimum high-speed stability to support outstanding performance. With Comprehensive safety features its superb styling, unprecedented power The RC benefits from the same compre- and handling capabilities, the RC F coupe hensive array of safety features that is char- opens up a new era of Lexus with a car acteristic of today’s Lexus range, and comes which is distinguished by the purity of its equipped with as many as eight airbags design which connects on visual and viscer- which includes a dual-stage driver’s airbag, al levels. The RC F will now become the new dual-stage and dual-chamber front passen- F image leader following in the footsteps of ger airbag, driver’s and front passenger’s the legendary LFA supercar developed by knee airbags, front-seat side airbags and Lexus and it will do so through the emo- full-length side curtain-shield airbags. The tional design of the coupe body and also side-curtain airbag size has been enlarged through the authenticity of its perform- for increased side-collision compatibility. ance”. Additional safety features include remote anti-theft alarm system, front and rear park- LEXUS RC ing sensors, child seat anchors, engine Aggressively elegant design immobilizer, and stability and traction con- The design of the RC coupe is described trol. by Lexus as “coolness over utility”. It has deeply contoured body lines - never before LEXUS RC F seen in the Lexus line-up - with the widest Based on the spectacular RC coupe that and lowest application yet of the Lexus debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in