WE DON’T USUALLY think of Lexus as a performance brand, but the RC F is something of a quiet achiever and deserves wider recognition. Lexus Australia today announced the substantially revised RC F range, with a more affordable entry price plus sharp specification for the first RC F Track Edition.
In addition to reduced weight and even more dynamic handling, the entry price of the RC F has been reduced by $3600 to $134,129 (plus ORC) while the faster and sharper RC F Track Edition is priced from $165,690 (plus ORC).
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 changes are aimed at improved handling and 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.
Enlarged front-side air breathers and new canard ‘fins’ on the lower front bumper more accurately harness air. Airflow 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 adds even more aerodynamic focus with a front lower spoiler to further reduce front-end lift, and carbon fibre-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 – produced in CFRP for the RC F Track Edition, which further includes a CFRP fixed rear wing generating 26kg of downforce.
The normally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 produces 351kW of power at 7100rpm and 530Nm of torque between 4800rpm and 5600rpm.
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.
Kerb weight has been reduced by 15kg for the RC F.
For the RC F Track Edition, high-performance Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes (380mm diameter front, 380mm units rear) join 19-inch lightweight BBS alloy wheels to reduce unsprung mass by 25kg.
A titanium exhaust, CFRP bonnet, roof, rear diffuser, lower rocker panel, front spoiler, rear wing and rear-seat brace help deliver a 65kg total reduction for the RC F Track Edition, which has a kerb weight of 1715kg.
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.
The RC F and RC F Track Edition will be available in Lexus dealerships in May.
LEXUS RC F PRICES
RC F $134,129 (plus ORC)
RC F Track Edition $165,690 (plus ORC)
LEXUS RC F SPECIFICATIONS
19-inch forged alloy wheels.
Brembo steel disc brakes with black calipers.
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).
Carbon fibre-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.