2023 Lexus RCF: A V8 Sports Car Swan Song
Lexus is responsible for making rather luxurious cars at a more attainable price point. This, combined with their decent reliability and ease-of-maintenance make them desirable and retain value. Within their lineup, they have several performance vehicles, like the Lexus LC/LC500/LC500h and LFA (their supercar). Many of their vehicles have some sort of performance package available to provide some extra features and tighter steering. Of these, one is on their last leg: the Lexus RC and RC F.
The Lexus RC
The design language hasn’t changed too much since the early models. The Lexus RC is a standard luxury coupe. It is quip with a 2 liter 4 cylinder engine or a 3.5 liter V6 engine that produce respectable power on the “sportier” model, as well as a 6 speed automatic transmission. There are several trim levels in their RC 300 series and 350 series. All wheel drive is only available with the 300 series as this is toted as their normal coupe driver.
Optional packages include a navigation package, premium audio package, premium package, all weather package, and special appearance package (also known as the “F sport package”) for a sportier styling. If you want it, these are available with a red interior color.
The Lexus RC gets about 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for a combined mpg of 23.
Pricing starts at $45,475.
Infotainment System
Lexus is known for their controversial “track pad” system for getting round the infotainment in the stack. However, the responsive nature creates a positive experience. Like all modern cars, it is equip with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All base models have this as it is standard across Lexus’s vehicle lineup
Interior
Of course, Lexus is a “luxury” brand, so the interior of any Lexus vehicle will blow the Toyota you drive out of the water. Everything from the seats to the steering wheel are of very high quality and craftsmanship. It certainly isn’t your typical Toyota or Honda.
Lexus RC F
The Lexus RC F is a more aggressive version of the RC. This true performance version is home to a beefy 472 horsepower 5 liter V8 engine under the hood, married to an 8 speed automatic transmission. All of this together leads to a 4.2 second 0-60 time. It has a rear spoiler that will activate at high speeds for additional downforce, as well as a front spoiler for a little extra downforce in the front.
This has a lot of the same packages available to the “base model” Lexus RC, but with the additional carbon fiber package. The addition of the carbon package will add a rear diffuser and rocker panel splitters.
Gas mileage takes a hit because of the V8, but this isn’t the car to buy if you’re concerned about fuel economy. The RC F gets 16 city/24 highway.
Pricing starts at $67,845.
Lexus RC F Track Edition
The Lexus RC F Track Edition takes everything about the RC F a step further. This is the high performance RC F that comes standard with carbon ceramic brakes, a fixed carbon fiber wing and a retune on the V8 to bring the 0-60 to 3.96 seconds. The RC F Track Edition is for the people who want to get the most out of the RC F.
Fuel economy remains unchanged from the regular RC F.
Pricing starts at $100,720.
Competitors in the RC F Class
One of the main competitors to the RC F is the BMW M4. The Audi TTRS also falls into a similar class, as does the higher output Ford Mustang.
The Hallmarks of a Sports Car
While sports cars come in different shapes and sizes, there are some similar characteristics across them.
Rear Wheel Drive
Rear wheel drive doesn’t necessarily define a car as being “sporty”, nor are they all rear wheel drive, but a lot of them are. This is because pushing too much power to the front wheels will cause torque steer to occur, making the vehicle difficult to control under hard acceleration.
Tight Handling
Tight handling and stiff suspension is important in being able to feel the road and reduce body roll when cornering.