Carmaker1

From VFD90


I'm not sure why Lexus considers it important to highlight a 2024 RC F Launch Edition as a Major Change or Refresh, which will be released this October.

What do you think about that, considering that the larger LC is due for a major update next month and an Inspiration Series this September?

I had expected a redesigned RC for 2025 model year, based on some discussions in 2020-2021. Seems to be all over the place.

05RollaXRS

I believe, RCF has another couple of years still left (probably till 2025 model year) due to the GT3 racing program and the recent refresh done to the 2023 RCF. It could be a limited edition RCF Lexus might be introducing. It could be a final swansong model? I know launch edition should mean a new RCF technically, but I think it might be some special edition RCF to keep the interest in a 10 year old model.

LoSt180

I had assumed the RC / RCF would run through 2024 without a refresh in keeping with tradition of Lexus coupes having 10 model year runs. Seems odd to refresh the interior and change minor things, like converting to lug bolts vs nuts, for a single model year.

But I'm down for a new model if that's what they have up their sleeve. We should start seeing spy shots soon if that's accurate.

CrimsonF

Where is this from?

Could be a typo honestly, maybe they meant Track Edition?

They just did a fairly big update to the RC F by upgrading all the interior stuff to touchscreens and stuff, not sure what else they could do and a whole new car seems unlikely this soon but could be wrong. Figured they would at least have 2 or 3 more years with this last refresh.

Carmaker1

Hi, I'm not sure what they're doing really. Apparently it's the 2024 Track Edition, which is one of those things Lexus will make a big deal about, even though it's not a new model and big trim level change. Really annoyed to see it on this Lexus chart, if it's just an "edition".



I greatly respected them for this kind of chart in 2020 which was reflective of only planned redesigns and nothing else. Of course already knew what those vehicles were months before in 2019 and the public didn't. A lot of revisions to this plan were made by 2022, especially that the Crown wasn't even planned then and 4Runner and GR86 both delayed.

I am thinking that a new RC will arrive for the 2025 model year. Working in product planning for a different company I can figure that the amount of changes can be easily justified for two model years, similar to what they've done with the 2022 GX against the redesigned 2024 GX, here any minute now.

At Ford, we are just in the launch phase of the 2023 Super Duty. Back in June 2021, we did an interior update to the 2022 Super Duty with a larger screen like the newer 2021 F-150.

This came after the 2020 MY Super Duty midlife update, which we launched in early 2020. Almost 21 months elapsed between that second refresh and the redesigned vehicle for 2023, now entering Ford dealers.

For 2029 it will be redesigned again and get refresh before that for 2026 MY, in over 2.5 years. Already almost halfway through developing next F-150, both BEV and ICE versions.

For Lexus to comment on the RC in early 2022, means that they've had at least 3 years on it and likely committed to the vehicle during the facelift in 2019.

For smaller volume, niche products. Toyota tends to begin development much later in the cycle than other models.

Core models' next generations begin development after a brief wait and see period, to assess the market and define new targets. This is usually some 9 months to 18 month period after current model's release. Usually when the facelift is going on sale, they are already finishing up design work on the next generation model.

This example is key regarding the 2025 Lexus ES. The current ES was refreshed in 2021 for the 2022 model year, but just as the sales divisions were putting it in showrooms, the 2025 ES body design was finalized by Lexus design staff. This 2025 vehicle was of course, teased in the background amongst several BEV models back on December 14, 2021.

It took only 3 years, from the 2019 ES being introduced in August 2018 to the next generation model being designed. For the RC, it's totally different.

Lexus comfortably commented on the next RC over a year ago, because the Gen 2 final design would have been signed off on in 2021 and now just a matter of engineering finishing up the rest through 2024.

For models they're not really keen on redesigning too quickly, they'll usually wait until a mid cycle facelift (MMC) which comes very far down the line, and start such next gen development work, which usually means a 10-year cycle at that point.

Usually Toyota take 48 to 72 months from start of development to release. In some cases it has taken longer than the window I gave, as seen with the LX 600. I remember that the 300-Series was already in development back in early 2014 and it came out as a 2022 model. It is somewhat dated of course and due for major updates by 2025.

I can see development of this new model beginning in 2019 when the current model was first updated and then reaching the five-year point in 2024, for market launch as a 2025 model.
My bigger question is, I'm surprised they're still committed to redesign it? I only can imagine that it's a favorite of Toyoda, being a 2dr sports car unlike the GS he didn't really care for. Wouldn't a new RWD architecture suffice as well?

Yes, I'm sorry about that. It's actually the Track Edition, I didn't really sleep last night and spent many hours across different websites and choice tasks at home. Horrible insomnia.

I feel like I heard recently that they had planned to replace the RC, when I was thinking it would be concluded end of 2023. I recall some like this was said to Car and Driver, so I expected either a 2024 model year redesign or 2025. 2026 seems very late.

GX was updated too for MY2022, yet will be redesigned this December from scratch for 2024. These interior updates might easily be justified for 2 MY runs, versus 3. IS will be around 2025, as it sees 0 changes this year and so will LS.

​​​​​​Sounds like the track edition is a swansong. I'm going to say like many of us manufacturers, they're strictly keeping this vehicle behind closed doors and will not let you see an inkling of it.

Both the 2024 GX and TX are due any minute now, yet only just one presentation teaser showed one of them and 2025 RC is still hidden from view.

I will say Q4 2024 or Q1 2025 for next RC. Can't remember when 2023 RC rolled into showrooms, but I can believe the goal is to get maybe 24 to 30 months out of those upgrades for 2023.

corolla6mt

RCF fully loaded now eclipses 100K PLUS sales tax & luxury tax in Canada (bye bye loonie)
We should see used RCF more up in tandem

LoSt180

Before the Americans who just look at the pictures start freaking out; $102,282 Canadian dollars is $74,370 bald eagles. That's not what loaded ones cost here though. On the website configurator, I got a 2023 loaded up to around $90.5k, then the track edition starts at $100,700. I was going to say that's actually a bit cheaper than a 2022 model, but then noticed the TVD is no longer an option.

Carmaker1

I forgot to address this post.

Yeah the 2023 update looks like it was released in late 2022, because this new chart doesn't even reflect it at all. I'm figuring the redesigned RC is still for 2025, like I had expected awhile back.

The 2 year run theory works very well. Seems like a waste to me, but since that's what they did with the 2022 GX, not too shocking I guess.

2015, 2016, 2017, 2018,
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. Basically a 10-year run, especially with how poor sales have been.

It's only being retained for legacy purposes. I consider the RC a "protected" model like the LC, because of Toyoda's passionate involvement. Now that he's chairman, the father of the Prius, Uchiyamada, is out of the way.

Not sure about IS, which they just might electrify instead in 2025.
​​​​​
The 2024 RC-F is the last year I guess. If there was another refresh or redesign, the bubble would just have the RCnameplate and no additional text under it.

Refreshes, redesigns, or new models are showing up on that chart as nameplate only labels. I look forward to seeing the 2025 RC.
​​​
Just not sure about spy shots really, because no one has seen any of the 2024 models in testing, let alone anything for 2025. The only exception that could be made is for testing it at Nurburgring this summer. Question is, will that just be a current generation shell mule on the new architecture or something else?

Also have to wonder if this moves to TNGA-L or another new underlying basis entirely?

LoSt180

Now that you've pointed out it's another track edition for next year, I doubt we'll see any spy shots this year. 2024 models probably don't need much testing since they'll be unchanged from 2023.

Think I've seen rumors/confirmation that Lexus is committed to GT3, and that the next gen RC will be based on a GT3 race car vs the other way around currently. Makes me wonder if we'll see the race car first before any production car teasers.

05RollaXRS

The MSRP for my RCF (2016) with everything including CF/TVD was $96K CAD back 7+ years ago so the MSRP (I am assuming it is with the CF package as TVD is no longer offered),. is around $98K CAD. It is only $2K difference if we ignore the fact that TVD is no longer available with or without CF.

corolla6mt

It is fully loaded perf package
Canada prices never had dealership fees and freight went up AND now its MSRP take it or leave it.
2016 they were giving our cars away..i said I'll take one.
Hopefully our used values are protected.

05RollaXRS

I bought it with 14K KM. I cleared the lien with Lexus of the original owner and saw all of the numbers when I paid off the lien (and the previous pocketed the rest). With discounts and GST etc., it was just under $90K so the MSRP was reduced to low-80s. Probably an over $10K discount.

cyberfist0

Anyone have info on the MY2024 release?

05RollaXRS

Did you check Lexus.ca? They should have all of the specs and info on the 2024 unless I am missing what you are looking for?

LoSt180

Next model year info for the RC has been coming out fairly late the last few years (unlike mass production cars where the next model year shows up at dealerships in October). We probably won't see anything until Dec or Jan for 2024 models.

This comment aged well, looks like the next GT3 car has been spotted testing. If the production model is based on this, I'd be happy with it.