Monday 23rd March 2015

Lexus RC turbo N24 testing

Out goes V8, in comes four-cylinder turbo for race version of Lexus coupe

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While officially unacknowledged, it's no secret Lexus has been expected to shoehorn the 2.0-litre turbo from the NX200t crossover into an RC coupe. While here in the UK we 'only' get the V8 F version other markets get V6 petrol and petrol-electric hybrids, while GT3 racer has also been shown as a concept. But a four-cylinder turbo?

Gazoo guys out for a play ahead of VLN

Good news is it looks awesome. Bad news? It's a special race car built by Gazoo Racing to be entered into this year's Nurburgring 24-hour.

You could be forgiven for thinking that it'll never be a road car, but wait a second. Because the Gazoo guys are actually the go-to problem-solvers for Toyota. And they were running a prototype GT86 in VLN races nearly a year before the car was officially unveiled. So if the same precedent is followed here, and the RC picks up a trophy or two at the N24 or even some VLN rounds, then Lexus will no doubt whip the covers off an RC 200t very shortly.

Of course, for this middleweight RWD car to win a trophy at the Nurburgring will require some serious pace, skilful driving and the reliability of a traffic warden's pen. Cars that it will face include such legends as the factory-backed Subaru WRX STI SP3T and the devastating lightweight FWD Audi TTs built by Raeder Motorsports.

The keener eyed amongst you might have also noticed the second car in some of these photos and the video linked below. That is, in fact, the LFA Code-X which Lexus is often inclined to run in the "it doesn't fit in any other category" SP-PRO class. It's a widebodied, lightweight, sequential-gearboxed LFA with side-exit exhausts. And the boss man himself, Toyoda-san, is often partial to driving it. Who can blame him?

Lexus LFA and RC Turbo race cars testing

[Sources: Autocar]

[blearyeyedboy]

I know the Lexus V8 is supposed to be a bit of a sacred cow, but if they make a 200t then I'd really sit up and take notice.

[LasseV]

Damn that sound awesome X2

[Terminator X]

Is it just me that gets all whenever "four-cylinder turbo" is mentioned? Comes up more and more with every new model that [insert any manufacturer] reveals

TX.

[Redgate]

Terminator X said:

Is it just me that gets all whenever "four-cylinder turbo" is mentioned? Comes up more and more with every new model that [insert any manufacturer] reveals

TX.

Against a NA V8 ... I feel the same. I would have thought they could have stuck a turbo on something with 6 cylinders at least ...

[blearyeyedboy]

I'm going to stick my neck out for smaller turbo units.

Yes, there's something fab about a V8. But there's not much chance to deploy it, whereas a lighter nose makes a coupé turn better on a narrow B Road.

The criticism of the RC F has centred around its weight. In this particular case, losing the V8 might well be the making of the car...