Some five months after the introduction of the facelifted Lexus RC coupé, Toyota’s luxury offshoot has finally unveiled the updated version of the go-faster RC F. Aside from adding the styling updates of the standard car, this revamp also aims to address criticisms about the car’s weight, handling and performance.
To that end, Lexus’ trademark 5.0 litre naturally-aspirated V8 has been breathed on with a revised intake routing and lower rpm trigger for the secondary intake opening, producing an extra five horsepower and eight Newton metres of torque at 472 hp and 536 Nm. The eight-speed automatic gearbox also features a higher final drive ratio to improve acceleration off the line – helped along by the new standard-fit launch control.
But the modest increase in output would be for nought if the RC F remained the behemoth it was before, so a few lightweight components have been added without compromising the car’s “sense of refinement and solidity.” Although Lexus declined to reveal the nett saving, the rear half shafts are now hollow, and there’s also a pared-down intake manifold and a smaller air-con compressor to trim some weight from the front end.
What’s more, the toe control brackets and upper suspension support brackets are made from aluminium, again reducing weight while maintaining stiffness. Speaking of stiffness, the rear suspension arm bushings and steering rack mounts are more rigid to refine the feel of the car, while stiffer engine mounts better transfer the engine’s power to the road.
Also improving power transfer are new, bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. Equipped with a unique profile shape, tread pattern and rubber compound, they help reduce understeer, improve overall lateral grip and increase durability under extreme conditions.
For an even more aggressive track-bred machine, Lexus is offering a new, more hardcore version of the RC F, imaginatively called the Track Edition. Said to feature input from Lexus’ race teams in Super GT and IMSA, it goes on an even stricter diet for improved performance in all conditions, while retaining comfort levels.
For a start, all the aerodynamic addenda is made from carbon fibre, including the front splitter and a fixed rear wing that not only reduces drag but also adds downforce. The latter’s shape smoothens out the airflow, while the slight angle of attack increases downforce, resulting in an extra 26 kg of the stuff compared to the standard active spoiler. There’s also a carbon bonnet and roof, part of the regular RC F’s carbon pack.
Particular attention has been paid to unsprung weight, with the Track Edition sporting Brembo carbon ceramic brakes hiding behind 19-inch BBS forged alloy wheels, featuring a design derived from the RC F GT3 race car. These alone save 25 kg at the front of the car.
Lastly, a titanium muffler and tail pipe round off the lightweighting measures that see an estimated weight reduction of between 70 kg to 80 kg. All-in-all, the Track Edition will get from zero to 100 km/h in four seconds flat, half a second quicker than the outgoing RC F.
Both models get a revised exterior design, incorporating stacked LED headlights that are now integrated with the arrow-shaped daytime running lights. There’s also a lower lip opening in the spindle grille, plus reshaped tail lights and bumpers.
