After a 15-year hiatus, Lexus is bringing back the coupe concept with its debuting 2015 RC 350. Based on the automaker’s IS 250/350 sedan, this brand new 2-door luxury compact is slated to seat 4 and to star all the sporty features of its IS kinfolk at a comparable price. Although not quite as upscale, powerful, or nimble as its targeted rival, BMW’s 435i, this newest coupe on the block offers some serious bang for the buck. Oh, and there’s also an RC F option for those who demand a bit more than just a high-end commuter car, but this seriously performance-oriented RC (standing for “Radical Coupe,” according to Lexus' marketing material) gets covered separately.

Getting to the nitty-gritty, the newly minted 2015 RC 350 is offered in a single Coupe trim, with rear-wheel-drive (RWD) standard and intelligent all-wheel-drive (iAWD) available in the Coupe AWD sub-trim. Although the front seats are roomy enough, rear seating is tight, and entry is difficult with only a pair of entry points available. Trunk space, meanwhile, is a somewhat paltry 10.4 cubic feet, but the plethora of posh inherent in any Lexus ought to mitigate these deficiencies.

Adorned with standard 18-inch alloy wheels and heated power-adjustable mirrors on the outside, this debuting 2-door Lexus offers such interior amenities as leather upholstery, full power accessories, cruise control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, and a remote garage door opener. Further cabin bling includes a standard rear-view camera, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, dual-zone auto climate control, Bluetooth hands-free calling, and a 256-watt audio system boasting a CD player, 10 speakers, satellite radio, and an auxiliary audio input.

Options include the F Sport Package with its 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive F-tuned suspension, upgraded gauge cluster, heated and ventilated front seats, power-adjustable steering wheel, and memory for driver's settings. Also available in either package or standalone form are such niceties as performance tires, front and rear parking sensors, a rear spoiler, and a power moonroof. Then there’s the available GPS navigation system that also includes a premium 17-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound audio setup with Enform Smartphone apps, all integrated via an optional new-for-2015 console-mounted remote touchpad. Additionally, available Siri Eyes-Free technology can be added to the Bluetooth hands-free calling feature.

Power-wise, look for this new Lexus 2-door to tote a 3.6-liter V6 mated with an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission in RWD form and a 6-speed shiftable automatic in AWD garb. In either case, expect 306 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque from this peppy V6, while mileage numbers are estimated at 19 mpg city/28 highway in RWD versions and 19/26 in the AWD sub-trim.

Standard safety features aboard the 2015 RC 350 include 4-wheel antilock brakes, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, and LED headlights and running lights. A post-collision safety system and Enform emergency telematics also come standard, while a newly upgraded blind-spot monitor and adaptive cruise control with pre-collision braking are each offered as optional safety equipment.