Review : Lexus RC F

Car Review Lexus RC F - The New Lexus RC F is likely to follow on from the LFA supercar brilliant single-minded and four-door sports saloons as the IS F performance model in the company's new halo otherwise quiet line-up.

the bulging hood, pelvic wrinkled and quad exhaust outlets is enough to tell you the Japanese company means business as well.

The company only expects to sell 200 examples RC F in the UK every year.

One machine, many workers

Every other performance cars - think Audi RS5, BMW M4 and Jaguar F-Type R - used forced induction system to generate their power more efficiently. Not Lexus though, it sticks with naturally aspirated V8 petrol, weighing capacity of 5 liters are quite large. The result is 471bhp, and the most powerful V8 engine Lexus ever built.

It's quite a familiar unit, donated in the most basic form of the previous IS F, but completely reworked for the extra horsepower (+ 54bhp) and a few nods Euro6 compliance and increased efficiency. The latter is not a strong point though, with CO2 emissions of 252g / km and 26.2mpg combined economy - although in our experience of the real world figures would be much closer to 20mpg otherwise.

Statistics show that less underwhelming performance, with RC F as a finishing sprint 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds before completing its run at 168mph electronically limited quoted. You have to work hard car to get there as well, because the peak power does not come up to 7,100rpm and peak torque (530nm) is only available from 4,800rpm.

There is an eight-speed automatic gearbox to help you take advantage of this, even though the box is slow to turn down especially delicate and can be less than under full-throttle up-shifts. At least the glorious sound of the engine, which is only partially minutes channeled into the cabin, making the effort required driver seemed worthwhile.

Driving Mode

In total there are up to 12 different modes available in the RC F which affects the way the drive, as long as you have the RC F Carbon or determinable optional Torque vectoring differentials. And do not even have adaptive dampers.

Drive Mode Select to change the output of the engine and throttle response and gearbox operation with Eco, Normal, Sport S, Sport S + and Snow modes are available. Exchanged between the first four also change the layout of the instrument display, and in the Sport S and Sport S + mode central rev counter recalibrated to place a marker above 7,000 rpm - as in some racing cars.

The company Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) regarding ABS, traction control and stability systems and operates in Normal, Sport, and Off Expert mode, the latter allowing more extreme slip angle of Sport while retaining the final safety net. The Torque Vectoring Differential (optional on the standard car) operates in Standard, Slalom (to increase agility) and Track mode.

All cars come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with manual shift paddles attached to the back of the steering wheel, with each upshift take one tenth of a second. Rivals, with a twin-clutch automatic gearbox, do it faster and lethargic shift is even more evident when it comes down to change either manually or ask the kick down through the gears in the automatic mode.

Lexus Quality Interior

It will not be a Lexus if the interior did not feel like it was carved out of solid granite, and it's a case of business as usual with the new RC F. All plastic, and there are a few too many different types if truth be told, it looks and feels expensive while leather upholstery very complete and very comfortable and supportive as well. Tears bit cramped though, the low roofline mean adults will not fit easily and small windows contribute to feel claustrophobic.

As appropriate that £ 60,000 + pricetag, RC F highly equipped as standard; they are also electrically adjustable leather seats and both heated and cooled - choose Carbon edition praised by Alcantara and leather. Sat-nav using high-resolution seven-inch screen, is controlled by a redesigned touchpad controller on the transmission tunnel.

A 10-speaker Pioneer sound system fitted as standard, and can be exchanged for a premium Mark Levinson system with 17 speakers - both offer a system to improve the sound of compressed digital music files such as MP3.

Safety is taken care of with eight airbags, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Automatic High Beam lights - while the Pre-Crash Safety system is available as an option.

Select RCF Carbon and together with Torque Vectoring Differential, Mark Levinson Hifi and Alcantara seat car benefits from Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) bonnet, boot and roof panels to lose weight.

Price Range : £59,135 - £67,135