Lexus RC F
This charismatic sportster is also quite luxurious.
2015 Lexus RC F
EPA ratings: 16/25mpg; 19mpg combined
0-60mph: 4.3 seconds
Price as tested: $74,560
When the RC F debuted, I spent hours on track with it near New Orleans, but hardly a moment on real streets. So I was quite grateful to get a week behind the wheel at home with Lexus’ BMW M4 and Cadillac ATS-V competitor.
Visually, the company’s slightly disjointed but undeniably arresting visuals are growing on me. They bespeak a growing confidence that is refreshing from the brand that reinvented luxury a quarter century ago.
Inside, the RC F has the measure of rivals, with beautiful architectural shapes inspired by high-end home audio, lovely looking front seats—which are overall quite supportive but could use more adjustments—and very cool looking instruments. The biggest demerit remains the Lexus infotainment interface, which, being mouse controlled, requires an unsafe amount of time for the driver to have his eyes off the road.
That’s especially true in a coupe as fast as the RCvF, whose bellowing 5-liter V8 cranks out 467 horses and punches this bold beast to 60 mph in the low-four second range at sea level. While its 389 lb-ft of torque is produced at a high 4800 rpm, it’s a joy to gun for these kinds of engine speeds, thanks to the glorious induction howl.
The in-house 8-speed automatic is fine most of the time, but lacks the alacrity of shift speed and responsiveness of the Cadillac or the twin-clutch in the BMW. The F’s biggest issue is its mass; it weighs a quarter ton or so more than those two, blunting its performance (relatively speaking) and keeping it from being quite as good through corners as it otherwise could be. This is exacerbated at Denver’s altitude, as this is basically the last normally-aspirated car in its class. The others’ turbocharged engines shrug off our thin air and preserve more performance for Colorado citizens. However, it is still a very enjoyable companion.
Despite non-adjustable suspension, it rides like a Lexus should, though the road noise of the Michelin Pilot SuperSport tires (which blights most every car so shod) gets a bit wearing over certain pavement; otherwise this is a quite cruiser. The handling is really nice too, despite the extra mass, with measured yet quick turn-in, good resistance to understeer and controllable oversteer available (especially when equipped with the optional, computer controlled rear differential); the stout brakes hold up to road and track abuse well and, like the steering, provide good feedback and response.
While not as fast or focused as the ATS-V or M4, the RC F has its own, unique charisma and enough performance to keep all but the most single-minded very pleased.
Here is what Lexus has to say.
Contact Isaac Bouchard for help saving time, money and hassle when buying or leasing at [email protected].
