- NEW CAR NEWS – LEXUS RC F
THE most powerful V8 performance model yet produced by Lexus will make its European debut next month.
The Lexus RC F will be joined at the Geneva Motor Show by its stablemate the RC coupe.
And the man who built the 5.0-litre mean machine, engineer YukihikoYaguchi, is convinced the supercar will appeal to all enthusiasts – no matter what their level of expertise.
He says: There’s a false perception that racing cars are hard to drive. In fact they’re easy in the right hands because they have been purpose built for the skill level of their drivers.
“It’s the same with the RC F. Electronics can be modified instantly on board to provide appropriate levels of performance and protection. But even at its basic setting it’s a blast.”
To harness the engine’s 450bhp potential with the best efficiency, the RC F uses a newly calibrated eight-speed transmission and, in a world first for a front engine/rear-wheel drive car, a Torque Vectoring Differential to secure higher levels of traction and control.
The car’s cylinder heads and all moving parts have also been newly designed to deliver more power at higher engine revs than has previously been possible.
It is also the first Lexus performance engine to use the Atkinson cycle at cruising speeds, to secure better fuel economy, switching to another cycle at higher revs to achieve greater performance.
And the RC F driving experience is further heightened by a new system that regulates induction and exhaust sound, creating a deep tone up to 3,000rpm, and a higher-pitched note at as revs rise beyond 6,000rpm under hard acceleration.
As in the Lexus LFA supercar, the RC F has an active rear wing in the bootlid for more downforce at speeds above 50mph.
The model can be distinguished from the RC coupe thanks to its higher set bonnet with ‘F’ motif embedded in the mesh below the Lexus badge, and 10-spoke 19-inch forged aluminium wheels.
And to the side there are air outlets behind the front wings that add to the engine and brake cooling performance, and which merge with side sill extensions to create an ‘L’ shape.
Other features specific to the model include the instrument metres – inspired by an aircraft cockpit – steering wheel, seats, pedals and trim.
Meanwhile the RC coupe will be presented as an F Sport version with more sporty design features as well as revised driving dynamics.
The RC range also features new developments in Lexus’s advanced technologies, including a touch-operated Remote Touch Interface control.
