IT’S FAIR TO SAY Lexus is probably better known in Australia for luxury models rather than performance models (after all, the LEXUS acronym was originally Luxury EXport to US).
But a closer look at the Lexus performance range, plus the announcement of revisions and price cuts, might change that.
In addition to a series of dramatic enhancements targeting reduced weight and more dynamic handling, the entry price of the RC F has been reduced by $3600 to $134,129 (all prices plus ORC) while the faster and sharper RC F Track Edition is priced from $165,690.
Three enhancement packages for the RC F will also be available, with the highest package offering upgrades otherwise exclusive to the limited RC F Track Edition.
Every new RC F debuts improved aerodynamics with greater downforce particularly on the front axle, stiffer and lighter suspension components, firmer steering control, a freer-breathing and lighter engine, more intuitive transmission and grippier tyres.
The result is even more engaging handling with improved driver feedback, enabling higher turn-in speed to a corner, greater chassis stability during rapid direction changes, plus improved steering and throttle response.
The refreshed styling of the RC F incorporates new single-piece high-grade LED headlights and a wider grille with L-shaped mesh pattern, emphasising a low and aggressive stance.
Enlarged front-side air breathers and new canard ‘fins’ on the lower front bumper more accurately harness air. Control of flow is then directed by fin-shaped side rocker mouldings – derived from the RC F GT3 race car – to new rear air breathers.
The RC F Track Edition hones that aerodynamic focus with a front lower spoiler to further reduce front-end lift, and carbonfibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) side fins.
In addition to the new air breather, the rear introduces sharper L-shaped tail-lights, vertical fins and a new diffuser (in CFRP for the RC F Track Edition), which further includes a CFRP fixed rear wing generating 26kg of downforce.
The high-revving, normally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 produces 351kW of power at 7100rpm and 530Nm of torque between 4800rpm and 5600rpm.
Thanks to a seven percent-lighter machined intake manifold and redesigned intake piping, the engine meets Euro 6 emissions standards while also providing more linear throttle response.
A new, more solid rear engine mount has also been developed to enhance handling stability particularly at the cornering limit.
The eight-speed automatic transmission debuts new AI-SHIFT control with greater intuition and, in Sport S+ mode, more aggressive downshifting than previously.
For the first time since the LFA supercar, Lexus will offer standard launch control across the RC F range to enable faster and more controlled standing-start take-off. seniordriveraus has commented previously, and will continue to suggest, that launch control is largely irrelevant to the vast majority of buyers. It may be of interest to the GameBoy generation (who are used to electronics controlling their every move), but in the real world, engaging launch control has little advantage over simply nailing the throttle, and even that is generally superfluous other than on a race track or drag strip.
Both production of the front suspension upper support mounts and rear toe control arm bracket have been changed from steel to aluminium, while hollow rear-axle shafts replace solid shafts, in each case to reduce weight and enhance rigidity.
The strength of the steering rack bushing has also been increased by 150 percent to boost steering response and enhance front-wheel toe control, joining newly designed Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres to increase agility and driver feedback.
The changes have also resulted in a reduced kerb weight of 15kg for the RC F.
For the RC F Track Edition, high-performance Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes (380mm diameter front matched by 35mm-larger 380mm units rear) join 19-inch motorsport-inspired lightweight BBS alloy wheels to reduce unsprung mass by 25kg. A titanium exhaust further reduces weight of the RC F Track Edition by 6kg, while enhancing the sound produced at high engine speeds.
The CFRP bonnet, roof, rear diffuser, lower rocker panel, front spoiler, rear wing and rear-seat brace also help deliver a 65kg total reduction for the RC F Track Edition, which has a kerb weight of 1715kg – “undercutting two German coupe rivals” as Lexus rather unsubtly notes.
The 0-100km/h performance of the RC F Track Edition is two-tenths quicker than the RC F at just 4.3 seconds, making it the fastest Lexus offered since the LFA.
Both the RC F and RC F Track Edition are offered with a level of craftsmanship, luxury and safety delivered by every Lexus, including a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and Lexus Safety System.
Lexus chief executive Scott Thompson said the RC F and RC F Track Edition would make a formidable pair in the performance-obsessed Australian market.
“Offering a more aggressively priced RC F and a more aggressively dynamic RC F Track Edition is an ideal twin-strategy in this performance-loving Australian market,” Mr Thompson said.
“These highly sophisticated, proudly unique normally aspirated V8-powered coupes have never been better represented than after such comprehensive upgrades.”
The new RC F range is available in Lexus dealerships now. Allocation of the RC F Track Edition is strictly limited.
LEXUS RC F PRICES
RC F $134,129
RC F Track Edition $165,690
LEXUS RC F SPECIFICATIONS
19-inch forged alloy wheels.
Brembo steel disc brakes with black callipers.
Launch Control.
Drive Mode Select with ECO, NORMAL, SPORT S, SPORT S+ and Custom mode.
Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with NORMAL and SPORT S modes.
Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM) with SPORT S+ and EXPERT modes.
Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD).
Retractable spoiler.
Auto-fold exterior mirrors with auto-dimming, heating and memory function.
High-grade LED headlights.
Smart Key Card.
Glass Fibre cabin ornamentation.
Semi-aniline leather accented trim.
Heated and Ventilated front seats.
TFT multi-function driver display.
10.3-inch widescreen centre display with Lexus Remote Touch interface, satellite navigation with SUNA live traffic, digital radio (DAB+), voice recognition with SMS read-out, Miracast and Lexus Enform.
17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM).
Back Guide Monitor.
Clearance & Rear Parking Sonar.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) comprising.
– Pre-Collision Safety System (PCSS) with pedestrian detection.
– Active Cruise Control (ACC).
– Lane-departure warning (LDW) with steering assist.
– Vehicle Sway Warning.
– Automatic High Beam (AHB).
Enhancement Pack 1 (EP1): $5000
19-inch forged alloy wheels (polished finish), moonroof.
Enhancement Pack 2 (EP2): $5000
19-inch forged alloy wheels (dark metallic finish), moonroof.
Enhancement Pack 3 (EP3): $29,161
19-inch motorsport-inspired lightweight BBS alloy wheels, high-performance Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes, titanium exhaust, Carbon Fibre cabin ornamentation, moonroof.
LEXUS RC F TRACK EDITION SPECIFICATIONS
19-inch motorsport-inspired lightweight BBS alloy wheels.
High-performance Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes.
Titanium Exhaust.
Red Carbon Fibre cabin ornamentation.
Competition Red Alcantara trim (replacing Heated and Ventilated front seats).
Carbonfibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) package comprising
– CFRP bonnet.
– CFRP roof.
– CFRP front spoiler.
– CFRP fixed rear spoiler (delete retractable).
– CFRP rear diffuser.
– CFRP rear-seat brace.