Wednesday 15th January 2014

Debut for Lexus RC F

The wraps are off at Detroit and there are further spec details on the M4 challenger

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The FT-1 may be drawing all the gazes at Toyota, but there's one confirmed production prospect nearby that's more than worthy of plentiful attention; the Lexus RC F.

Need more than just a carbon roof?

The Detroit unveiling has brought some additional details to last week's story. The power output still isn't confirmed with Lexus only maintaining it will have 'well in excess of' 450bhp but a torque figure has been finalised. Its 384lb ft peak compares well with the 406lb ft the turbocharged M3 has.

Top speed will be limited to 168mph (as its 270km/h) and the team are working towards a target kerbweight of less than 1,800kg. Sounds a bit porky in all honesty, especially with the M3 at 1,500kg, but we'll reserve full judgement until the car is in production spec. The unsprung weight is reduced (sounds like it will need plenty of help) with forged aluminium wheels. Three different style of 19-inch rim will be offered, all wrapped in 255/35 (front) and 275/35 (rear) tyres.

The white car also seen here features the lightweight carbon fibre package, which is so lightweight Lexus hasn't yet revealed how much it saves... Still, if BMW is going with carbon roofs, Lexus clearly feels the need to go one step further.

Remember when the IS F was transformed by a mid-life facelift incorporating an LSD? We'll have to hope that happens with the RC as well because there isn't a standard locking diff. Instead Lexus has fitted a 'Torque Vectoring Differential' system with three operating modes. 'Standard' aims to balance agility and stability in normal driving, 'Slalom' aims for nimble responses and 'Track' which offers 'consistent, stable cornering in circuit driving, with optimum driver control'.

Lightweight carbon pack has the answer!

Inside is largely as was expected if you ignore the worryingly large 'thick-grip steering wheel'; who asked for one of those? But the paddles look decent enough and the revcounter moves around the dial display as it does in the LFA dependent on driving mode.

Unfortunately, we're no closer to knowing what the RC F will cost in the UK or when it will get here. Lexus wasn't shy in pricing the IS F close to its rivals back in 2008 so expect the RC F to do similar. With the M4 at £56.635 and the Audi RS5 at £59,350, somewhere around £55K seems likely.

 

[Slurms]

Wow, Matt's clearly not a Lexus fan then....

[shake n bake]

Meh, I just don't see Lexus as a competitor in this market, stick to fat saloons for ferrying execs around.
Also looks like its had a bump at the front and half the bumper fell off.

[goron59]

1800kg kerb?

[if in doubt]

goron59 said:

1800kg kerb?

Surprisingly high for such a car. Why do some manufacturers still struggle so much with weight?

[Jordan210]

Is it me or does that interior look very dated all ready ?

[Krikkit]

Not keen on the styling, although it is suitably aggressive for the sector. Weight seems to be rather high to compete with the M3/4 as well, at +300kg it's 20% heavier!

[Dagnut]

No mention of the engine?

[Ullevi]

Great looking car, with daring and challenging styling. Different from what's on offer from the German competition.

Very much will be good competition for this sector.

I will be taking a close look at this and its competitors in the next couple of years.

[ukmike2000]

Engine is a 5 litre V8 - the power etc is in the script above. "More than 450 bhp" was the announcement at the Detroit Show and they haven't committed to more than that.

I'm not feeling any love for the front end of Lexus cars these days - it is profoundly ugly. The rest of it is just a scaled up Toyota GT 86 - not offensive but hardly ground-breaking.

Edited by ukmike2000 on Wednesday 15th January 11:04

[Huskyman]

It looks like there is a steering rack on the rear of the back axle? This would help with the agility of a heavy car, but I infinitely prefer the BMW way of making the car light in the first place, rather than trying to conceal the bulk with(admittedly clever) tech.
The other big question is the choice of engine.... Toyota will need to use some very clever fuel and friction management to keep the fuel economy and CO2 to reasonable levels. I love my cars, but if out of two competitors one has lower fuel consumption and VED, with comparable driving experience then it would be a no brainer...

Edited by Huskyman on Wednesday 15th January 11:24

[ArtVandelay]

I think it looks great, the interior has echoes of the LFA

Prefer it over the M4 looks wise. Prefer the M3 over both however. V8 might just be that bit more special than a turbo 6.

[nsa]

Does whoever styled the LFA not work at Lexus anymore? Why are they sticking with that awful Predator grill?

[ITP]

Nothing changes, lukewarm journalist reports and instant dismissal from M car lovers.
Imagine the gushing praise that would have been given to BMW if they had decided to install a 5 litre normally aspirated v8 in the new M3/4?
And why use the phrase that Lexus weren't 'shy' in pricing the ISF similar to BMW and Audi? Why shouldn't they, the quality of the materials and build are generally better, the performance is similar and the only area they trailed (slightly) is in the ride/handling set up, even that was better than the Audi. Plus the Germans cost much moe specced to the same level, so it's actually cheaper!
Plus the rear bumper on the M3/4 looks like someone has crashed into that in a poor attempt to try and make it look a bit different from the other thousands of 3 series out there.

By the way, I like them all, just thought it needed a bit of balance..

[ArtVandelay]

ITP said:

Nothing changes, lukewarm journalist reports and instant dismissal from M car lovers.
Imagine the gushing praise that would have been given to BMW if they had decided to install a 5 litre normally aspirated v8 in the new M3/4?
And why use the phrase that Lexus weren't 'shy' in pricing the ISF similar to BMW and Audi? Why shouldn't they, the quality of the materials and build are generally better, the performance is similar and the only area they trailed (slightly) is in the ride/handling set up, even that was better than the Audi. Plus the Germans cost much moe specced to the same level, so it's actually cheaper!
Plus the rear bumper on the M3/4 looks like someone has crashed into that in a poor attempt to try and make it look a bit different from the other thousands of 3 series out there.

By the way, I like them all, just thought it needed a bit of balance..

Does seem to be a rather negative article when considering the car.

[Cable]

Huskyman said:

.
The other big question is the choice of engine.... Toyota will need to use some very clever fuel and friction management to keep the fuel economy and CO2 to reasonable levels. I love my cars, but if out of two competitors one has lower fuel consumption and VED, with comparable driving experience then it would be a no brainer...

Edited by Huskyman on Wednesday 15th January 11:24

Not necessarily. Sometimes the heart takes over, particularly when this will be the only option with an NA V8.

The looks are definitely growing on me. I'm not a massive fan of the grille, but as it was pointed out last week, a large number plate would break that up nicely...

Still, I'm shocked at the weight. This has gone up from the ISF!

[The1Driver]

This car's dash is shocking. Looks very dated.

[FreiWild]

Are all the exhausts functional this time around?

[Cable]

FreiWild said:

Are all the exhausts functional this time around?

I honestly don't know why everybody makes such a big fuss about this. All four tailpipes were functional on the ISF, they just weren't directly attached to the four outlets on the silencers. Also it seems a lot of manufactures are doing this; Audi R8, 458 Italia, Range Rover... and they don't get the same amount of stick.

Admittedly I'd prefer them to be attached, but I certainly wouldn't dismiss or heavily criticise a car because of it.

Edited by Cable on Wednesday 15th January 12:43

[Selmer Mk6]

I think if Lexus are looking to make a statement, then this should do it. I think it will definately stand out from the rest. If it can perform any where near its rivals then its all good.
It looks good to me, but then I own an ISF!

[stuno1]

I really don't understand why that review is so negative. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but it seems overly negative. The engine is great, 5 litre V8...mmmmm.
Personally i like the looks aside from the front grille. Be good to see it with a plate on to break it up.

I like the interior as well. They do need to get the weight down though. Can’t wait to see the final version.


Stu