Lexus’ 2020 RC F Track Edition Brings Hardcore Performance to F Cars
If the Lexus RC F Track Edition can deliver LFA levels of engagement, dynamics, and excitement at a fraction of the cost, consider us sold!
One of the things that Lexus drivers have always wanted is an ultra track-focused version of an F series car. Since we know that the IS F will be no longer, and the LFA is long out of production, the sporting baton has been handed to the RC F. Rightfully so. In IMSA racing the Lexus RC F racer has seen success, and now its time for that race car tech to trickle over to the road-car side. That all culminates in the RC F Track Edition. Who better to test it out than a former racer.
Joe Raiti from Raiti’s Rides takes us through the RC F, starting with the outside. Raiti notes that despite the car’s aggressive and angular styling, it doesn’t suffer from fake vents and grilled. “This is not from Lexus saying they will stick it on there and see how it goes. This stuff is functional,” Raiti notes. And that’s because the RC F Track Edition does have some notable differences from the standard version. It has special front and rear valances, along with side skirts and a lot of carbon fiber.
Also on the outside of this limited edition version is a wider side skirt, wider gills in the front fenders, and that big carbon-fiber rear wing. “Here’s a functional full carbon fiber rear spoiler that’s going to give you actual rear downforce,” Raiti notes. To Raiti, this element of the car need simprovement, as he points out the fact that it isn’t adjustable.
Inside the car you’ll find that not much has really changed from the standard RC F. Red woven carbon fiber is a nice touch on the two tone interior, but There’s not much else to make the interior stand out. That’s not a bad mark against Lexus, as their quality and materials are always superb. Also largely unchanged is the driveline. Horsepower is increases are measured by a single-digit bump.
Raiti does have a problem with one elephant in the room: the rear seats. Raiti says, “I really think if Lexus was that hard with wanting to get as much weight out of this car as possible, they should have done a rear seat delete.”
But, when it comes down to the way the car drives, that’s a flaw you forget about quickly. As he’s driving, he notes the carbon ceramic brakes have “no fade, no fade at all,” and for handling, he says “when we were transitioning from one side to the other, it was very balanced, and very composed.” Who says you need all-wheel-drive? Overall, Raiti is happy for a hard-core RC F. He says, “it’s about them building a car for the enthusiast. Us! Especially if you know what you are doing and you know how to handle this thing.” Sadly, only 300 will be built, and just 50 are coming to the states. Getting your hands on one will be just as difficult as catching it on track.
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