Thursday 9th January 2014

Lexus RC F full details

Upset the M3 and C63 are going turbo? Lexus may well have an alternative on the way

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It's not often that being proved wrong is an enjoyable experience, but that's exactly the case with the Lexus RC F. The second teaser image released recently, showing just a bonnet scoop, led us to think it may be providing air for a turbocharged engine. The M3/M4 is doing it after all, and the next C63 will be turbocharged as well.

Getting air in won't be a problem then

But no, the Lexus RC F will be powered by an atmospheric 5.0-litre V8. Moreover, power is officially stated at 'well above 450bhp', which would put the RC F comfortably ahead of the M4's 430hp. The engine is described as the most powerful Lexus V8 ever; note there it isn't the most powerful Lexus engine period, meaning it must be somewhere under the 560hp produced by the LF-A's fabulous V10.

Lexus is promising 'asphalt-grinding performance' from said V8, which should accompany the 'uncompromising grit' of the styling just nicely. This really isn't made up, we're not that good.

Over the standard RC the F gains an even more dramatic spindle grille, unique 19-inch wheels and a bonnet that is set higher than the standard models to create 'a powerful, flared profile true to the ethos of Lexus's F model'. It looks a little fussy from here, but it certainly won't go unnoticed.

Big seats, big wheel, big power too

An active rear spoiler rises at 50mph and disappears again below 25mph. There are also ducts beneath the front bumper and wings plus the now-trademark Lexus stacked tailpipes to mark out the RC flagship. They look real from here too, unlike the IS F.

Inside, the RC F gets unique dials, seats, pedals and steering wheel. Lexus says the instrument panel is dominated by a central dial 'which automatically adapts in line with the four different driving modes'. Presumably this means the display will switch a la LF-A with the tacho taking priority in the racier settings. The shift paddles indicate the RC F is an auto, probably an eight-speed as found in other Lexus models.

The RC F will be fully revealed by Lexus on 14 January, where a price and UK sale date will most likely be announced too. RC F vs. M4 vs. C63 sounds like a fascinating triple test, don't you think?

 

 

[BeirutTaxi]

It's an interesting alternative if, like me, you're not always keen on following the 'Big Three' herd when making a choice.




Best regards,


Matt

[BUG4LIFE]

BeirutTaxi said:

It's an interesting alternative if, like me, you're not always keen on following the 'Big Three' herd when making a choice.




Best regards,


Matt

I agree. A number plate will help that front too. Are the exhausts real this time?!

[daveco]

Wow! That looks better than the BMW or Audi competitors. If the new Lexus cars drive as well as they look they'll have the market cornered.

[scoobyPPP]

Looks good, may have to add this to the list of potential replacements for the e92, but I wish they had gone for forced induction instead of normally aspirated.

[Ullevi]

BUG4LIFE said:

I agree. A number plate will help that front too. Are the exhausts real this time?!

Apparently they are real this time!

[Andy665]

scoobyPPP said:

Looks good, may have to add this to the list of potential replacements for the e92, but I wish they had gone for forced induction instead of normally aspirated.

Give me an n/a engine as good as this over any forced induction engine, scalpel sharp throttle response can't be beaten

[drewbagz]

That Grill!!!

[exceed]

Very exciting car this, said the same on the Autocar article. But I'm certain this will lose every group test thrown at it, and because of that win our hearts.

[theJT]

I've always wanted to like Lexuses (Lexus'? lexi?) but the styling has always put me off.

It seems like they spent the entire '90s tentatively poking around the blandest most traditional lines imaginable, desperately hoping not to upset anyone, until they finally caved and tried to make the range look good...

At which point some frustrated designers who had been having all their work spoiled for years went absolutely mental, and everything the entire team could think of all ended up on the same car at once. It's like someone loaded up a cannon with every fussy feature they could think of and fired it roughly in the direction of the car.

[Clivey]

BUG4LIFE said:

I agree. A number plate will help that front too. Are the exhausts real this time?!

Well if it's a V8, so strictly speaking two of the tailpipes are unnecessary…I think we can forgive them if they're actually properly attached though!

Shame it's not going to be available with a manual 'box and handbrake, but if you want a paddleshift, this could shake-up the market a little bit. - Hopefully anyway; competition is good!

[Ullevi]

daveco said:

Wow! That looks better than the BMW or Audi competitors. If the new Lexus cars drive as well as they look they'll have the market cornered.

The new generation models (IS and GS) have improved tremendously in terms of driving experience, especially in F-Sport guise, so there is a chance the RC-F will be pretty handy.

I get the feeling that the development experience of the LFA has been put to good use on subsequent models.

May not be quite up there with BMW just yet in terms of driving enjoyment, but not too far behind. Normal aspirated V8 >450bhp should provide a lot of fun for some very lucky people!

[Studio117]

Should have a proper LSD too, like the one fitted to the 2010+ isf.

[EskimoArapaho]

So gaping over-sized grilles are a thing now?

I didn't get the memo.

[pSyCoSiS]

Loving the seats in that Lexus.

[Shaoxter]

Love it that they've gone down the NA route but that front grille is just ghastly.

[themanwithnoname]

And to think I've been steadfastly poring over M135 and M3 specs....

That looks great, and those seats look a bit special.

[greygoose]

Side view is nice, front grille is awful and wheels look a bit naff.

[Wills2]

Apart from the LFA that's the first Japanese interior I've really liked, can't get on with the grill though.

[Otispunkmeyer]

These front grills remind me of a fricken fire place with one of those big black mesh fire guards! awful.

[garypotter]

Everything was going well until i saw the grill..........
Please lexus no