New or redesigned parts include:

• Cylinder heads and cam covers
• Crankshaft: crank pin diameter, connecting rod big-end bearing size and crank counter-weight size are all reduced, to reduce reciprocating weight
• Crank main bearings and caps
• High-strength forged connecting rods
• Pistons and piston rings
• Titanium inlet and exhaust valves
• Intake manifold and throttle body
• Redesigned Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Electric motor (VVT-iE)
• Revised Lexus D-4S dual injection system
• Four-into-one exhaust headers and heat insulators
• Oil pan and baffle plate
• Alternator clutch system
• Engine and transmission oil coolers
• Spark plugs

Digging Into the Metal

• The new cylinder heads improve the 2UR-GSE engine’s breathing with improved porting and a high-flow/high tumble ratio. In addition, intake surge-tank capacity has been optimized, as have the intake manifold runner length and diameter.
• The new oil pan baffle shape reduces agitation and hence friction, while new air-to-oil coolers for the engine oil and transmission fluid increase track suitability.
• The Lexus D-4S dual-injection system has been redesigned, with higher injection pressure of 2,611 psi and improved fuel atomization.
• The throttle diameter was increased by 10 percent, from 3 to 3.3 inches (84 mm).
• A new intake camshaft profile increases valve lift and suits the Atkinson cycle, while improvements to the electronic VVT-iE system have expanded its range of operation for increased fuel economy and performance.
• New four-into-two exhaust headers help reduce interference and hence further improve engine breathing. The larger-diameter exhaust system is designed to reduce backpressure and sound amazing, especially under acceleration. At the same time, the main muffler keeps things from getting too rowdy at lower speeds.
• As a final touch, the new 2UR-GSE engine has a one-way clutch on the alternator pulley.

Lexus RC F to rival Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

Date
September 5, 2014

Japanese brand breaks away from its roots with its V8-powered performance coupe.
Lexus is pulling absolutely no punches in admitting which cars it was gunning for when it designed and engineered its new RC coupe and, in particular, the fire-breathing V8-powered RC F version.

According to chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi, a trio of very capable and very Germanic coupes were considered during the RC F's development phase.

"At different stages we looked at the BMW M4, the Mercedes C63 [AMG] and the Audi RS5," he said.

"They are all cars we would be happy to match."

Fighting words from a company better known for instilling refinement, quietness and ease of ownership into its products, but take a look at the RC F's bald figures (not to mention its somewhat outrageous styling) and it is easy to believe the new Lexus coupe is starting on the front foot.

The 4.7 metre-long coupe is powered by a 5.0-litre V8 based on that found in the existing IS F, but re-fettled with help from Yamaha to produce 351kW of power and 550Nm of torque.

Drive goes to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic to a Torsen limited slip diff that can be further enhanced by an optional torque vectoring differential unit for increased traction.

Performance-wise, Lexus claims the RC F will hit 100km/h from standstill in 4.4 seconds and cross the 400 metre line in 12.5 seconds on its way to a 270km/h top speed.

The RC F arrives in Australia in the first quarter of next year at an as-yet undisclosed price and before that, the more sedate RC 350 is due in late November starting at around $70,000 for the cheapest Luxury version.

Powered by the GS sedan's 233kW 3.5-litre V6, the RC 350 is claimed to accelerate to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds. Lacking the F's bulging bonnet (necessary to contain the big V8), pop-up rear wing, wider wheel arches, quad exhausts and with vertical bars in its trademark "spindle" grille instead of the RC F's more aggressive mesh pattern.

Both cars are built on the same new platform, a modified amalgam of GS from the firewall forward, the passenger compartment taken from the IS-C and the rear from the IS sedan.

The RC F has additional under-body strengthening over the 350, including braces between the rear suspension struts that means it lacks the V6-powered model's 60/40 split-fold rear seat with boot access.

The quest for body strength has no-doubt resulted in neither RC variant being particularly lightweight: according to pre-production data the RC 350 weighs as much as 1740kg, the RC F as much as 1860kg.

To slightly counter that, the F has an optional carbon fibre roof, bonnet and boot lid package that shaves 10kg from the standard car without a sunroof. More importantly, perhaps, the carbon fibre look adds hugely to the RC F's already extroverted styling and will be available in Australia as an option, although no price has been announced.

Fuel consumption estimated by Lexus at 9.4 L/100km for the RC 350 and 10.9 L/100km for the RC F are nothing to write home about, although that latter figure betters the outgoing IS F's official figure of 11.4 L/100km. Neither RC features stop-start control for city driving, but the V8's Atkinson combustion cycle is claimed to make improve economy in this more powerful engine.

Inside, there's a version of the latest IS sedan's dashboard presentation with rectangular themes to the vents, stereo and ventilation controls and the full colour TFT display operated by a central touchpad similar to that on a laptop computer. Like a cherry on a cake, and olde-worlde analogue clock sits high up on the centre console.

Instrument displays vary from the standard RC 350's chrome-ringed major dials to the more expensive 350 F Sport's more prominent tachometer, similar to the LFA supercar's layout.

The RC F gets an even more aggressive instrument panel with information delivered depending on whether the driver has selected Eco, Normal, Sport S or Sport S+ from the four possible driving modes.

Further highlighting that Lexus has designed the RC from the ground up as a new model, not just a two-door version of an existing sedan, are unique seats that in the RC F are made by injecting foam into the pre-stitched leather upholstery for extra support.

Details like this, which mark the RC as an important new model for Lexus when coupe sales are often niche-filling at best, beg the question – why go to all the trouble?

According to Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Handley, the company is keen to make a statement that rather than being seen as purely a manufacturer of luxury cars, it wants to add a dose of LFA-style excitement into mainstream offerings.

"This is another clear demonstration of the change in direction of Lexus design and its trend towards sports performance," he said.

"It's also to demonstrate to the world that we can do it, that Lexus can offer this level of sports performance and technology. We've definitely arrived.

"So it's taking a brand that's known for its great quality, its great customer service, what's considered a safe brand – and that's not a bad thing – but we're now saying that Lexus is not just a safe brand, it's an exciting brand."