Lexus RC-F to participate in Goodwood Festival hillclimb (June 26 - 29)
#17
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First Driver Impression...
Lexus RC F driven by former World Rally Champion Didier Auriol
June 27th, 2014 by Joe Clifford
http://blog.lexus.co.uk/2014/06/lexu.../#.U67QgKa9K0c
"We spoke to former World Rally Champion driver Didier Auriol at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed to capture his first impressions of driving the Lexus RC F after his blast up the famous hill climb."
Enjoy,
Joe Z
June 27th, 2014 by Joe Clifford
http://blog.lexus.co.uk/2014/06/lexu.../#.U67QgKa9K0c
"We spoke to former World Rally Champion driver Didier Auriol at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed to capture his first impressions of driving the Lexus RC F after his blast up the famous hill climb."
Originally Posted by LexusUK Blog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83WOC1V0P8c
Blog: Thanks for sparing some of your time today, Didier. As one of the first people in Europe to drive the highly anticipated Lexus RC F, can you offer us any early driving impressions of the car?
Didier Auriol: Of course. When I met Yukihiko Yaguchi [chief engineer of the RC F] this morning, I told him I was delighted to be one of the first to drive the car; it was such an honour. I don’t know the Goodwood Hill Climb course very well but my overriding impression of the car was based around the engine. I think we have an engine with very good torque and power. In fact, the power just goes, goes, goes, all the way through; and because it shifts gears so quickly through the paddles it feels smooth yet relentless.
Blog: We’re excited about it already! What about its rear-wheel drive handling up the famous Goodwood Hill Climb?
DA: As a rally driver, of course the first thing I did was switch off all the electronic safety systems. I wasn’t driving that fast but the car felt very progressive in its handling. It starts off feeling quite neutral but then when the back end did break away it felt so predictable it was like I didn’t have to counter with much steering.
Blog: Do you feel that the predictable handling is a good match for the smoothness of the engine?
DA: Absolutely. The immediacy of the engine response is very different from the turbocharged rally cars I’m used to, where you often have to wait for the power arrive. In the Lexus RC F the power is there straight away.
Blog: That’s really good to hear because the engine has been designed to switch between economy and power combustion cycles. Did you feel that changeover at all?
DA: Not at all. But then I probably wouldn’t have anyway. After turning off all the electronic safety systems I put the car in full power mode. Life’s too short for thinking about economy on a day like today!
Blog: Thanks once again for your time, Didier. We look forward to our own try of the RC F soon.
Blog: Thanks for sparing some of your time today, Didier. As one of the first people in Europe to drive the highly anticipated Lexus RC F, can you offer us any early driving impressions of the car?
Didier Auriol: Of course. When I met Yukihiko Yaguchi [chief engineer of the RC F] this morning, I told him I was delighted to be one of the first to drive the car; it was such an honour. I don’t know the Goodwood Hill Climb course very well but my overriding impression of the car was based around the engine. I think we have an engine with very good torque and power. In fact, the power just goes, goes, goes, all the way through; and because it shifts gears so quickly through the paddles it feels smooth yet relentless.
Blog: We’re excited about it already! What about its rear-wheel drive handling up the famous Goodwood Hill Climb?
DA: As a rally driver, of course the first thing I did was switch off all the electronic safety systems. I wasn’t driving that fast but the car felt very progressive in its handling. It starts off feeling quite neutral but then when the back end did break away it felt so predictable it was like I didn’t have to counter with much steering.
Blog: Do you feel that the predictable handling is a good match for the smoothness of the engine?
DA: Absolutely. The immediacy of the engine response is very different from the turbocharged rally cars I’m used to, where you often have to wait for the power arrive. In the Lexus RC F the power is there straight away.
Blog: That’s really good to hear because the engine has been designed to switch between economy and power combustion cycles. Did you feel that changeover at all?
DA: Not at all. But then I probably wouldn’t have anyway. After turning off all the electronic safety systems I put the car in full power mode. Life’s too short for thinking about economy on a day like today!
Blog: Thanks once again for your time, Didier. We look forward to our own try of the RC F soon.
Enjoy,
Joe Z
Last edited by Joe Z; 06-28-14 at 09:48 AM.
#19
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They posted up a real nice one on Instagram..
http://instagram.com/p/p1mXnFO4lr/
Joe Z
Last edited by Joe Z; 06-29-14 at 06:51 PM.
#20
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
#26
LEXUS RC F - from the makers of the LFA. The countdown to launch has begun! The stunning new Lexus RC F - which made its debut at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed - is on target to arrive on UK roads this winter.
To celebrate, we filmed the car as it tackled the hill climb course at Goodwood House.
Equipped with the most powerful V8 engine Lexus has ever produced for a road car, the 5.0-litre, 32-valve unit develops more than 450bhp and 520Nm of torque and delivers staggering performance.
And to match the advanced engine, the RC F has unique styling, including the most dramatic evolution of the Lexus spindle grille yet, and styling and cues directly inspired by the LFA supercar. These include bonnet air outlets and front cooling ducts.
The bodywork includes carbon fibre elements to help keep weight down, including the roof, bonnet and active rear wing, while at the rear, sculpted wheel arches help underline the car's muscular appearance.
The rear-wheel drive coupe also features a specially calibrated, eight-speed Sports Direct Shift transmission which includes the world-first use of a torque-vectoring differential.
This, coupled with an advanced dynamic control system, allows the driver to choose one of three driving modes -- Standard, Slalom and Track -- to deliver the optimum blend of traction, stability and control.
Developed by a team inspired by the Lexus LFA, The RC F has evolved from the new Lexus RC coupe, which will go on sale in the UK in 2015.
To celebrate, we filmed the car as it tackled the hill climb course at Goodwood House.
Equipped with the most powerful V8 engine Lexus has ever produced for a road car, the 5.0-litre, 32-valve unit develops more than 450bhp and 520Nm of torque and delivers staggering performance.
And to match the advanced engine, the RC F has unique styling, including the most dramatic evolution of the Lexus spindle grille yet, and styling and cues directly inspired by the LFA supercar. These include bonnet air outlets and front cooling ducts.
The bodywork includes carbon fibre elements to help keep weight down, including the roof, bonnet and active rear wing, while at the rear, sculpted wheel arches help underline the car's muscular appearance.
The rear-wheel drive coupe also features a specially calibrated, eight-speed Sports Direct Shift transmission which includes the world-first use of a torque-vectoring differential.
This, coupled with an advanced dynamic control system, allows the driver to choose one of three driving modes -- Standard, Slalom and Track -- to deliver the optimum blend of traction, stability and control.
Developed by a team inspired by the Lexus LFA, The RC F has evolved from the new Lexus RC coupe, which will go on sale in the UK in 2015.
Last edited by Motor; 07-11-14 at 12:36 PM.
#27
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#29
Thanks for the tip! Posted about this on the HP!
https://www.clublexus.com/articles/n...t-goodwood.php
https://www.clublexus.com/articles/n...t-goodwood.php