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The updated Lexus RC F has officially launch in Australia with the range now gaining a more affordable entry price plus sharp specification for the first RC F Track Edition.
In addition to a series of dramatic enhancements targeting reduced weight and even more dynamic handling, the entry price of the RC F has been reduced by $3600 to $134,129 while the faster and sharper RC F Track Edition is priced from $165,690. All prices are before on-road costs.
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 multitude of focused changes prioritise even more engaging handling with improved 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 redesigned LED headlights and a wider grille with L-shaped mesh pattern, emphasising a lower and more aggressive stance.
Enlarged front-side air breathers and new canard ‘fins’ on the lower front bumper more accurately harness air. Control of flow is then directed by fin-shaped side rocker moldings – derived from the RC F GT3 race car – to new rear air breathers.
The RC F Track Edition hones that aerodynamic focus with a front lower spoiler to further reduce front-end lift, and carbonfibre 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 high-revving normally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 produces 351kW of power at 7100rpm and 530Nm of torque between 4800rpm and 5600rpm.
While the output is unchanged from before, the engine has been tweaked in a few areas, including a 7.0 per cent-lighter machined intake manifold and redesigned intake piping. Lexus claims the engine meets Euro 6 emissions standards while also providing more linear throttle response.
A new, more solid rear engine mount has also been developed to greatly enhance handling stability particularly at the cornering limit.
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, launch control is standard across the RC F range to enable the fastest standing-start acceleration.
There are updates to the sports car’s underpinnings, too, with composition of the front suspension upper support mounts and rear toe control arm bracket changed from steel to aluminium. Elsewhere, hollow rear-axle shafts replace solid shafts. In both cases, weight reduction and enhanced rigidity is achieved.
The strength of the steering rack bushing has also been increased by 150 per cent to boost steering response and enhance front-wheel toe control, joining newly designed Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres to increase agility and driver feedback.
All in all, the changes have also resulted in a reduced kerb weight of 15kg for the RC F.
For the RC F Track Edition, high-performance Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes (380mm diameter front matched by 35mm-larger 380mm units rear) join 19-inch motorsport-inspired lightweight BBS alloy wheels to reduce unsprung mass by 25kg.
A titanium exhaust further reduces weight of the RC F Track Edition by 6kg, while further increasing the dramatic sound of the highly strung V8.
The CFRP bonnet, roof, rear diffuser, lower rocker panel, front spoiler, rear wing and rear-seat brace also help deliver a 65kg total reduction for the RC F Track Edition, which tips the scale at 1715kg – undercutting the Audi RS5 Coupe and Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe.
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.
Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson said the RC F and RC F Track Edition would make a formidable pair in the performance-obsessed Australian market.
“Offering a more aggressively priced RC F and a more aggressively dynamic RC F Track Edition is an ideal twin-strategy in this performance-loving Australian market,” Mr Thompson said.
“These highly sophisticated, proudly unique normally aspirated V8-powered coupes have never been better represented than after such comprehensive upgrades.”
Lexus RC F pricing (excluding on-roads)
RC F $134,129
RC F Track Edition $165,690
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).
Carbonfibre 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.
