The article was originally produced on June 15, 2015, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

Lexus RC F

Five-liter V8, rear-wheel drive, and a great soundtrack are the ingredients for maximum fun behind the wheel!

It's no secret that Lexus has worked hard to compete with BMW and their M3 and M4 models. Now a new attempt has been made to compete with this classic sports car from Bavaria. The model is called RC F. F stands for Fuji Speedway, which is a historic racing track in Japan where the country's first F1 race was run in 1976. But F also stands for Fun.

The Lexus brand was introduced in 1989 by Toyota who wanted to improve its image with a bit of luxury. Right from the start, the new model (LS 400) had a V8 engine. In the RC F, which was presented in 2013, Lexus really wants to convey the feeling that the heart beats a little extra hard when you get behind the wheel. Even so much so that the lights in the dashboard flash to the beat of the heart when starting up. A little hard to notice at first, but a nice hint that an adventure begins as soon as the car starts and the 477 horsepower V8 engine comes to life. From a standstill to one hundred kilometers per hour only 4.5 seconds are needed. The top speed is electronically limited to 270 km/h, without a barrier the car would get over the three hundred mark.   

It is not just a hair-raising super sports car Lexus has developed with the RC F. They have also thought a lot about the environment to reduce consumption when you are not looking for excitement but just want to travel calmly and calmly from A to B. Then the engine uses a called the Atkinson cycle, which keeps the valves in the engine open longer to reduce consumption. When the car is to be pushed to maximum and higher revs, the engine switches to classic Otto technology, which results in significantly higher fuel consumption. The car has four different driving programs, Eco, Normal, Sport and Sport+. Everything to fit in exactly as the driver wishes. In Eco mode, the car is also silky smooth and discreet. You slide forward and barely notice the engine. The only thing that doesn't adjust is the suspension, which is still relatively stiff. The meter boards are now colored blue and you get information about consumption and other things for optimal Eco driving. 

In today's situation for cars, it is of course important to be able to compromise in order to build a car of this nature with a clear conscience. Because of course you don't buy a Lexus RC F to drive it in Eco mode. With the hood and roof in clear lacquered carbon fiber and a screaming orange color, the Sport+ mode is what the car and the driver will be most comfortable in. Then the car flexes its muscles and is ready to attack. The sound changes throughout the cabin when you let some in via the sound system. To put it mildly, it sounds like a real racing car and the hair stands on end. Now the instrument panel has changed with a large tachometer in red and g-force information. There is no doubt what the purpose of the car is all about now! The eight-speed box does an incredibly good job in all modes, smooth and harmonious in Eco and normal modes while lightning fast in sport and sport+. When downshifting in the latter position, the car gives intermediate throttles to keep up the revs, which conveys a lovely shudder every time. To also make the RC F as user-friendly as possible, there is a differential called TVD that can be adjusted. Bengt Dahlström, who is responsible for marketing, says that the RC F and its adjustable differential are designed so that every driver who gets behind the wheel should feel good, regardless of whether he is just driving to buy milk or as an enthusiast. This is clearly noticeable, the car can be as nice as it wants and in an instant change its character to a full-fledged racing car.

 

The Japanese design is clearly different from the clean and sometimes boringly austere German design. Here, there are very sharp lines that meet in pointed shapes. Unfortunately, the interior is not quite up to par and with about ten different material choices for the interior, it gets a bit messy. There is nothing wrong with the seating comfort, however, and the seats in alcantara and leather take a firm grip when things start to go fast in the turns. The back seat, on the other hand, is not for adults, but more of an excuse for them being there anyway. 

Although Lexus has done everything to make the RC F suitable for everyone, it will not appeal to everyone. But if you have a soft spot for its design, you won't be disappointed, the RC F is capable far beyond the ordinary and for being as versatile as it is, it actually beats BMW itself.