RC 350 F Sport Black Line Earns Respect as a Grand Tourer
Though most have been trying to place RC F Sport Black Line as a track-day machine, a reexamination reveals true character on the road.
The RC 350 F Sport isn’t meant for the track. It may be an F Sport with a bit V8 and all-wheel drive, but the track isn’t where it shines. Alas, more than a few will flog the hell out of it, just to believe it doesn’t deserve the F Sport badge. However, there’s a big reason why it, specially as a Black Line, falls short of those expectations.
It’s meant to be viewed as a grand tourer. TFLnow‘s Nathan Adlen presents the case that the RC 350 F Sport Black Line’s respect resides not on the track, but the highway.
“A lot of people out there don’t seem to be giving this car that much respect,” said Adlen. “With its V6 engine, with the fact that it’s pretty damn heavy — nearly two tons — they feel that it’s not ‘sporty’ enough. I’m here to tell you it’s not a sports car. What it is is a grand touring car. As such, with all-wheel drive and this special edition, it’s worth your consideration.”
There are flaws with the RC 350 F Sport Black Line, though. Such flaws include the infamous trackpad, intrusion into the driver’s footwell by the transfer case, and the perception it’s a high-performance car. However, the Black Line overcomes all that, starting with its looks. A revised face, plus special LED lighting and unique painted wheels, set this Lexus apart from the rest at the golf course. And that’s just the beginning.
“I gotta tell you, the interior design on every Lexus product is better than most of the competitors out there,” said Adlen. “I will say that, in terms of technology, German cars definitely have taken a leap forward […] Things like this screen are a real issue.”
However, the RC 350 F Sport Black Line boasts a CD player, one of the few remaining machines to have one new. No Mercedes will give you that. The Lexus also offers “comfort, sport and luxury,” in that order. The ride alone splits the difference between sport and luxury. Meanwhile, its 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horses delivers a respectable 22 mpg, plus enough power to hustle down the road.
“The ride, it’s firm,” said Adlen. “You hear a couple bumps here and there. But it’s like a vault. This whole thing feels like it encompasses you in strong iron. That’s great. I love it. I love the whole thing about it.”
It’s a great bargain, too. As reviewed, the RC 350 F Sport Black Line comes in at over $58,000. However, drop the all-wheel drive and F Sport badging, and you can get an amazing grand tourer for around the mid-$40s range. All in all, it’s about managing expectations. Do that, and you won’t be disappointed.
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