ISF001

http://thechronicleherald.ca/wheelsn...016-lexus-rc-f


The Lexus RC F’s styling has a bit of an Incredible Hulk thing going on: bulges, openings, lumps and slits are scattered across its body-work, and it looks like the big green fella, freeze-framed, just before the T-shirt lets go and the muscles come busting out.

Strange, though.

As displeased and tense and angry as the RC F looks, it’s a calm, relatively quiet and even relaxing thing to drive leisurely. You could run errands with it, or take an hours-long highway drive and get out refreshed.

It’s got big-guy friendly seats, isn’t hard to board and exit, and often proves as peaceful on board as a luxury sedan. That’s all a unique contrast to the looks, the list of performance upgrades that reads like a boy racer’s wish-list, and the RC F’s marketing, which come highlighted by a flurry of lap times and performance specs.



So, a split-personality.

As top-dog rocket-sled in the Lexus stable, RC F is an attention-grabbing stare-magnet intent on snapping necks with its styling and acceleration, and intent on re-arrangement of occupant internal organs via grip and braking capabilities.

The hardware lists presents as a track-capable coupe, and there are classy appointments for the daily grind. Though RC F’s acceleration and noises will light your face on fire, it also proves comfortable and accommodating, and feels the part of a premium product that’s happy to relax when driven gently.

Regular readers will remember a test-drive of the more modest RC 350 F Sport model a few months back. The gist? This more modest RC variant amounted to a luxury coupe with stand-out styling and refined, comfortable performance on offer to its driver in virtually every situation.

Capable and confident when driven on a track, the RC 350 F Sport also rode with exceptional smoothness on real-world roads, and proved comfortable on long-haul drives. It’s a 305-horsepower luxury sports coupe, set evenly between luxury and sport.

The hot-rod RC F is similar: a luxury sports coupe, but heavy on the sport. It’s not a hardcore track car, and it’s not a pure luxury cruising coupe, either. Instead, it’s a machine designed to be comfortable and capable in an array of conditions, from a relaxing Sunday drive to a visit to the driver’s favorite empty winding road or lapping track, and everything in between. You might call it a luxury performance touring coupe.

All copies pack two doors, four seats, 8 automatic gears browsed at lighting speed via paddle shifters, and rear-wheel drive. A five-litre V8 up front turns out 467 all-motor horsepower, with no turbochargers to spool. And, like other RC variants, a drive mode selector allows switching between efficient and comfortable cruiser and track-munching performance weapon on the fly.

Use the ECO or NORMAL modes on a peaceful drive, and the angry RC F glides peacefully down the road, with a hint of tautness from the suspension, a whiff of V8 hum from the pipes, and the thick and solid slab of low-end torque used to improve refinement by keeping the transmission from downshifting, and generating an effortless feel. There’s a slight hint at the performance, but largely, it’s relaxing and peaceful.

Notably, even though the RC F rides a fixed suspension setup that’s not adjustable as in other model variants, the ride is markedly soft, gentle and easygoing on nicely-maintained roads. Unless you’re headed over a really nasty bit of pavement, the RC F doesn’t feel like its pounding and crashing into the bumps.

Twist the dial to SPORT or SPORT + mode, and the RC F gets all hot and bothered. The throttle and transmission go hair-trigger sensitive. Downshifts come at any touch of the throttle, prioritizing use of the engine’s full rev-range, rather than just the low-end torque.

The steering gets heavier and more sensitive. Special baffle-flaps in the engine air intake open more eagerly to flood the cabin with meaty V8 noises. Even the digital tachometer switches to a race-car looking layout. In its sportier drive modes, the RC F focuses on exhilarating, rather than placating, the driver.

Boot down, and power floods to the rear wheels, escalating in intensity as the 7,300 RPM redline approaches. There’s a real hot-rod feel to it all: instant engine torque response, a slight slip and squirm from the rear-end accentuating the rear-drive setup, and a positively saturating snort that’s meatier than a bagfull of Baconators.

It’s a positively thrilling engine to work hard, thanks in no small part to a beautiful abruptness to the engine note, with a loud blast on throttle, and near silence when off. Guttural man-laughter comes often and vigorously as a result of the noises.

Hit a closed course with your RC F and a little previous lapping experience, and you’ll find a car that’s eager to please, driver traction assists that feel tuned to work with, not against, you, and a frisky, easily throttle-steered character should drifting and sliding around be of importance.

The RC F mightn’t be the most precise and agile car in its class, though the capability, reflexes and thrills built in, as well as the durability of its high-performance braking system, should be pleasing to novice and experienced performance drivers alike.

Closely spaced initial gear ratios become apparent here, allowing the engine to spend more time at high revs for fast exiting of corners, and ravenous consumption of straight-stretches.

And, used on a track or not, this amounts to a luxurious hot-rod coupe that’s fit for long-haul cruising and designed to turn in pleasing sounds, sensations and thrills when full-throttle operation is appropriate.

Best of all, RC F is less quiet and discreet-looking than the comparable Mercedes, Audi, BMW and Cadillac models. If you’re after a high-performance car that truly looks special and turns heads, this one nails it.

Other notes? The cabin is laid out and designed with a plethora of materials, colors, interface themes and textures smattered about. Some will find it looks sophisticated and high-tech, others will find it looks disorganized and messy.

The paddle-shifters call up ‘right now’ shifts from the 8-speed transmission, with near perfect rev-matching in both directions and superb throttle-blip sound effects from the engine room.

Complaints? I wished for a lower seat height, as I felt perpetually like I was sitting about an inch too high in the cabin, and paddle-summoned shifts happen instantly, though often with a lurch or slam through the driveline. Shift speed is world-class, though the refinement drags behind a little.

End of the day, here’s a more potent and extreme version of a very good luxury sports coupe that’s accommodating, unique looking and comfortable to drive in a wide range of situations.

As it is with less powerful RC variants, this RC F should prove a compelling luxury coupe, and a compelling performance coupe, depending on the position of the drive selector dial.

Just a flick gets you a comfortable cruise, or Lexus’s most exhilarating performance experience on a closed course.

The specs

2016 Lexus RC F
• Engine: 5-litre V8, 469 horsepower
• Drivetrain: rear-wheel drive
• Observed mileage: 12L/100km
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic with paddle-shift
• What’s hot: silky and potent engine, easy to drive character, road-trip ready, good ride quality, slick instrumentation, decent highway cruising mileage
• What’s not: Headroom is tight, paddle-shift transmission is good, not great
• Features: LED headlamps, navigation, automatic wipers, climate controlled seats, push-button start, Mark Levinson audio
• As tested: $82,300

ISF001

http://www.ballerstatus.com/2015/12/...16-lexus-rc-f/

Lexus recently gave us some hands-on time with their new 2016 RC F. We've been looking forward to test driving the luxury performance vehicle and graciously took it to test on a sunny afternoon on California's sprawling Chuckawalla Trail.

Performance
The RC F is unrelenting and poised with a 5.0 Liter V8 Engine that produces 467HP. With the ability to go 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, and a top track speed of 168 mph, Lexus delivers a sport coupe that's not only track competitive, but dominate in its consumer class. An Eight-Speed Sport Direct-Shift Transmission delivers seemingly on-demand upshifts and downshifts, conveniently placed near the steering wheel, to satisfy even the most demanding driver's need for speed.

Additionally, Lexus' Drive Mode Select enables you to make your RC F more responsive or efficient with a simple turn of the dial, from Sport S+ to ECO mode. Sport S mode alters the powertrain for an increase in throttle response, while Sport S+ mode modifies the Adaptive Variable Suspension to help provide a higher level of responsiveness. Normal mode provides the optimal balance of fuel efficiency and engine performance. While ECO mode moderates the throttle response, engine power output and climate settings for optimal fuel efficiency.

Closer Look At The 2016 Lexus RC F

Handling
Our 467HP automatic took to the the road with grace. The RC F introduces an (optional) engineered Torque Vectoring Differential system, ensuring optimal control even when taking the sharpest of turns on the track or highway. The Torque Vectoring Differential, a first for Lexus, works by distributing power between the inside and outside rear wheels.

Lastly, reinforced rockers and stiff front and rear bracing combine with a wide tire for optimal grip when taking a sharp turn. Ideal for adrenaline junkies looking to get the most out of every g-force.

Interior
The Lexus RC F's interior screams speed; from the cockpit-esq High-Back Front Sport Seats designed to provide greater muscular support and seat grip, to the implementation of racing pedals. Not stopping there, the RC F's track-inspired dashboard features a responsive digital tachometer and race-ready, full-color LCD gauge cluster that's equally impressive looking as it is informative.

Lexus' (optional) Remote Touchpad and 7 inch Lexus Encore display interface complete the interor. While the touchpad does take time to get used to, we were especially pleased with Encore's fuel guide (complete with brand name, distance and pricing) that automatically suggests nearby gas stations once the vehicle's fuel level nears empty. The (optional) 17-speaker, 835-watt, Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio System allows for pristine audio and the perfect soundtrack as you speed past traffic.

Closer Look At The 2016 Lexus RC F

Exterior
Exterior-wise, the RC F is confident, sporty and commanding. Its highly rigid body is a product of specialized manufacturing techniques, including high-strength adhesive bonding, laser brazing, and multi-spot laser screw welding. Premium Triple-Beam LED headlamps, tail lamps and illuminated entry (door handles) ensure optimal visibility. The RC F takes track inspiration up a notch with an aggressively wide stance, low profile, striking hood vent and front cooling ducts. Lexus' signature F Badging and iconic Spindle Grille complete the vehicle's exterior.

Value and Safety
Safety is at the forefront with a Standard Eight Airbag System and state of the art Blind Spot Monitor backup camera; complete with dynamic gridlines to help guide your drive. World renowned Brembo brakes cement the RC F's billing as an authentic track vehicle via large slotted 14.9-inch front brake rotors, clamped by six-piston monoblock calipers, and 13.5-inch rear slotted rotors held in place by four-piston calipers. Additional brake highlights include a fast-cooling rotor design and high-friction pads for reduced brake fade, embodying the perfect marriage of performance and safety.

Additionally, Lexus' Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system with sport mode predicts and prevents skidding through a combination of individual-wheel braking, torque modulation and steering torque assistance.

The (optional) Pre-Collision System automatically detects approaching vehicles. Should a frontal collision be imminent, PCS will automatically prepare the vehicle's Brake Assist for increased braking response, and will even brake on its own before impact. Crumple zones in the front and rear are intentionally designed to compress at a controlled rate to help protect occupants within the more rigid passenger compartment.

All new Lexus models come with a complimentary year of Lexus Enform Safety Connect and a 48 month/50,000 mile warranty.

Conclusion
The RC F embodies the thrill of a high-performance track vehicle - averaging 25 MPG. With prices starting at $62,805, the RC F is a pleasant find for those seeking the triple entente of design, performance and luxury.

ISF001

What is it? Range-topping coupe member of mainstream performance line-up.

Key features: 5-litre V8, bold styling, quality finish.

Our View: Think of Lexus and one does not necessarily immediately see a performance car. While the Toyota luxury brand’s cars are all reasonably potent and the LF A supercar certainly gained a lot of attention, in Europe at least Lexus is better known for its BMW and Mercedes-rivalling premium saloons and its hybrid powertrains.

As a result those buyers who want a performance coupe will not immediately think of the RC F, tending instead to look towards Jaguar’s F-Type, the BMW M4. This is a shame, as the RC F has many characteristics that make it worthy of consideration compared to its more familiar rivals.

It is indeed potent, thanks to the fact that its engine bay houses an updated and significantly more powerful version of the engine that debuted in the performance saloon, the IS F. Putting out 471bhp at 7,100rpm, 54 horses more than the IS F and with 391lbft of torque, this is the most powerful V8 production unit yet seen from Lexus, and it’s combined with such useful technology as a torque-vectoring differential to make most efficient use of that power.

Many premium performance cars are restrained in their styling – not so the Lexus. It is a riot of sharp angles and creases, dominated by the front end Toyota family signature with the Lexus-specific enormous grille.

The headlamps are tiny and triangular, and sweep like the grille down to a point on the front to produce a very aggressive stance.

In profile the typical coupe shape is obvious, as is the fact that this is quite a large car for its class, longer, higher and wider than its perhaps closest rival the BMW M4, but with an 82mm shorter wheelbase. The body, we are told, is heavily stiffened, but its size, combined with the big engine, points to the RC F’s major disdvantage when compared to its rivals – this is one heavy car, its 1765kg kerb weight some 228 kilos more than the BMW.

Access to the RC F’s front and back seats is made easy through the long doors, and while the two rear seats are cosy they are less so than in other 2+2 competitors – the 366-litre boot however is on the small side when ranged against the BMW or Jaguar’s F-Type.

Slipping behind the wheel one finds a comfortable if somewhat high driving position. The fit and finish is as impressive as we have long ago got used to with Lexus – quality surfaces and very well-built switchgear. The major problem, however, is that there are far too many of these well-built buttons – it is a very complex dash layout, despite the presence of a seven-inch screen on which various functions can be controlled by a rotary **** on the transmission tunnel. This is, however, imprecise and at times frustrating in its operation, while various of its functions are replicated with buttons. Lexus could certainly take lessons from their rivals in this area of technology.

No complaints about the audio – the Mark Levinson sound system remains a highlight of any Lexus.

It is in the power department where Lexus moves furthest away from its rivals, choosing five litres of normal aspiration over smaller capacity units with forced induction. As mentioned the engine is significantly upgraded over its previous incarnation, extending to new internals.

The V8 unit mates to an eight-speed Sports Direct Shift transmission that offers five operating modes, from Eco to Sport S+, along with manual shifts.

Like all proper sports cars the RC F puts its 471 horses to the road through the rear wheels. Lexus has tried very hard to ensure these horses are used to their best ability – a limited slip differential is standard, while our test car included the expensive but desirable option of a torque-vectoring differential. This itself has three modes – the Standard default mode can be changed to Slalom for sharper steering response, and finally Track, which focuses on high-speed cornering stability.

The big V8 muscle-car DNA is obvious from the moment one presses the start button – the engine comes to life with a deep-throated rumble that is instantly attention-grabbing. However this can be almost misleading, as on the daily run this head-turning car behaves very responsibly indeed, purring thorugh traffic with smooth gear changes and a ride that is stiffened as one might expect, but not uncomfortably so.

Push on a bit and the car becomes less precise, the gear changes sometimes hunting a little. This is a minor irritation that is not completely rectified until the most potent of the drive modes is selected, by which time one should really be exploring the car’s limits on a track.

The RC F is a potent sports car, but it requires heavy use of the right foot and the high-end of the rev counter to really deliver a satisfying performance driving experience. And of course this costs – five litres of muscle means one pays in economy and the 26.2mpg combined cycle fuel consumption figure is significantly below its rivals, the CO2 emissions another significant penalty.

As recompense, however, the Lexus does deliver a fun handling package which just gets better the more one pushes on. Cornering is precise and confident through well-weighted steering, the extra bulk of the car helping it plant itself firmly into a bend with an aerodynamic package that includes an active rear spoiler adding useful extra poise.

With a £60,995 starting price the Lexus is in the same bracket as its rivals, and while the running costs might dissuade some from going Japanese the equipment list could well win them back. The options list is short, the standard specification long and including such niceties as dual-zone climate control, top-quality semi-analine leather, LED lights and such like, while also including a host of neat touches. The door mirrors, for example, will swivel downwards to give a better view of the kerb when reversing. The wiper blades are grpahite-coated to flow more smoothly, and quietly, when the screen is only partly wet. Throw in renowned Toyota reliability and the RC F has a reasonable amount going for it.

Summary
No matter how hard it tries Lexus will always struggle to convince buyers that it deserves a place in the performance car park, but the RC F helps the cause. The car does have its flaws, but it is a car one can live with, and still enjoy to the full when the occasion allows.

Lexus RC F
Test Date: October 2015
Model Tested: Lexus RC F
Options Fitted: Torque-vectoring differential £3,500; Pre-crash safety system/adaptive cruise control £1,295; Paint £625
Price: £60,995; £66,415 with options
Insurance group: 48E.
Engine: Petrol V8 32-valve.
Power (bhp): 471 @ 7,100rpm.
1601_Lexus_RCF_04Torque (lb/ft): 391lbft @ 4,800-5,600rpm.
0-62mph (sec): 4.5.
Top speed (mph): 168.
Fuel economy (combined, mpg): 26.2.
CO2 emissions (g/km): 252.
Key rivals: BMW M4, Jaguar F-Type, Audi RS5

ISF001

Overview

2015 Lexus RC F

With a roaring, naturally aspirated V8, this Japanese sports coupe holds its own against German rivals


CAR REVIEW 81%

An M4 challenger with an increasingly rare naturally-aspirated V8

Pros Fabulous build quality, soulful engine, excellent performance

Cons Automatic transmission, cranky infotainment system

Value for money Pretty much in line with similar cars wearing German luxury badges, which may turn out to be more than consumers in this snack bracket are willing to pay for an Asian sports coupe

What would I change? A seven-speed, dual clutch manumatic would certainly boost its bona fides. An easier to decipher computer “mouse” wouldn’t hurt things either

How I would spec it? If I were going to “track” the RC F, I would opt for the Performance package which includes Lexus’s Torque Vectoring Differential. But if I am limiting myself to driving on the street, I’d stick with the base model since $7,400 is a little stiff for a TVD and the rest of the package isn't that exciting

What do you see when you look at the new Lexus RC F: A fabulous sports coupe? A contender for the BMW M4’s crown? Neither? Both?

What I see is an experiment – not, as you might surmise, the answer to the question of whether a Japanese automaker can render a coupe as sporting as the German masters. But, rather, a social experiment, one that might help us determine exactly how long it takes to change the minds and open the wallets of those rich and enthusiastic enough to fork over the better part of a 100 large for an Asian coupe that pretends to be a European supercar.

The RC F is the perfect guinea pig for such an experiment for three reasons. First, believe it or not, the RC F is all but the performance equal of BMW’s M4. The second is that, unlike past pretensions to sportiness, it now appears that Lexus is serious about making its aggressive F models a cornerstone of its brand, much as BMW does M. And lastly but most importantly to my concept of the RC F as an experiment in brand loyalty, is that BMW and Lexus lie on the opposite extremes of the sports coupe branding equation – BMW’s M, of course, seen as the ne plus ultra of performance and practicality, while Lexus enjoys a reputation for somnolence nonpareil.

2015 Lexus RC F

First though, let’s get this much straight: There is nothing torpid about the RC F. Its big V8 thrums like NASCAR went to finishing school, the Michelin Pilot Sports grip like the devil himself and there’s an aggressiveness to the styling that makes — and let’s be fair about this, BMW fans — the M4 look a little tame. Oh, there are some weak points — more about those in a minute — but the RC F’s insistence to sports car bona fides is legitimate.

Anyone doubting Lexus’s commitment to revamping its image just hasn’t sampled the RC F’s new 5.0-litre V8. Nothing lethargic about it, the Lexus 5.0-litre zings to 7,200 rpm, pumps out 467 horsepower and responds with an enthusiasm that would impress even BMW engineers. It may also seem strange that, just as the performance-minded Germans discover the fuel efficiencies of turbocharging, Lexus, sister to hybrid-promoting Toyota, goes old school with a high-revving, naturally aspirated V8 – but there is method to its madness.

For one thing, other than in straight-line acceleration, the Lexus is a more forgiving partner in crime than either BMW’s turbocharged six or Mercedes’ similarly force-fed V8s. If indeed you buy a sports coupe for more than just impressing the neighbourhood teenagers with tire squeals, you’ll find that on a twisty road, the RC F’s linear throttle response is a friendlier companion than a turbocharger’s midrange swell of torque. And it goes without saying — indeed, I’m at risk of repeating myself — that any naturally aspirated engine like the Lexus’s will also sound more scintillating than anything with a fan stuck in its exhaust tubing. As for fuel economy, Lexus brags that the big V8 features a fuel-saving Atkinson cycle at part throttle, allowing it to boast a 12.6 L/100 km fuel economy, about a litre more than BMW’s M4. In everyday use — albeit with more than a few forays to 7,000 rpm — I averaged 14.6 L/100 km.

2015 Lexus RC F

But there’s much more to an RC F than a willing, if a little thirsty, engine. Unlike any past Lexus (save the ultra-rare and Ferrari-challenging LFA), the RC F’s chassis is as engaging as its engine. Forget the slushy suspension of the hedonistic LS, or the insularity of steering that the front-wheel-drive ES imparts. The RC F is proof that Japanese DNA can be as sporting as German.

The only fly in the RC F’s sporting ointment — and, indeed, the only shallowness to Lexus’s commitment to performance bona fides — is the RC F’s automatic transmission. Oh, it has eight quick-shifting gears but whatever the reason for its inclusion — either a lack of will to spend more R&D dollars or Lexus’s intuition that even its sports-minded customers would prefer the cushy gear changes of a slushbox — it detracts from the RC F’s singularity of purpose. Lexus engineers will counter that its Asian-sourced automatic shifts plenty quick enough, but no automatic offers the directness of response nor the man-machine connection of a manual transmission or, better yet, a paddle-shifted, dual-clutch manumatic. It is the RC F’s one glaring weakness and the one technology that BMW apologists can legitimately denigrate.

But it does add to Lexus’s claim that the RC F is the more civilized machine. Apart from a ride that borders on the harsh, everything about the F is as sumptuous as one expects a $81,650 sedan from Lexus to be. Yes, the front sport seats are tightly bolstered but they are also supportive and comfortable. The front seats are heated and ventilated. Even the steering wheel is heated, though I wasn’t much impressed that the elements only heated about half the perimeter (basically between 8:00 and 11:00 and 1:00 and 4:00). Dual-zone climate control means passengers are just as cozy as the driver. Were it not for the infotainment system’s interface — an infuriatingly counter-intuitive trackpad — and overly complicated driving mode selectors, the RC F’s interior would be as cozy and unthreatening as an ES sedan’s.

Indeed, that will be the attraction of the RC F. It is, at once, a sporting coupe that can accelerate to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds (on its way to a top speed of 270 km/h), yet there’s no reason to think it won’t be as fastidiously reliable as a Camry. It’s as sexy as anything Teutonic, handles as well as those same Germanic competitors and elicits a more delicious exhaust note than the lot of them. The remaining question, then, is when will consumers of sport sedans give Lexus the same props they automatically ascribe to BMW.

Or, to the point of the experiment I mentioned at the start, when will F equal M?

ISF001

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rc-...-who-wins.html

ISF001

JCtx

Saw most videos, and the RC-F is way ahead of all before they got going. Not a real life comparison. Then you have other factors, like manual vs auto, cold tires vs hot, etc. Most of those cars beat our RC-F in equal conditions. Don't understand why some owners want to keep pretending it beats them. Our car is like an agile fat kid. It can do crap you didn't imagine possible. But will never beat the lighter more nimble jocks most of the time. And you should be okay with that. I am. And no, I wouldn't race most of those cars, because if you find 10 videos, in at least 9 it'd get beaten. Again, that IS NOT the strength of this car folks.

chris07is

iTrader: (10)

^^^^^^^^ 100% agree, some say is f is faster than rc f, oh because its modified...blah blah blah...i don't care...rc f is faster non mod vs mod...people get butt hurt all the time...i have an is f and yes rc f is faster...

ISF001

Unless I am misinterpreting the runs, The 0-100 kph run times are valid for each car.

Unless the clocks are off, the times are the times.

ISF001

Win some...lose some

ISF001

He references the TVD in his video, but he is in actuality driving the RCF with the limited slip dif.

keithS

This was the best review of the RC F I've seen so far. He actually reviewed the car on its own merits, and not just as compared to the M4. Every other review I've seen, it just turns out in essence to be a review of the M4 and how the RC F isn't as good. I get that this car isn't as good on the track, but my car will never ever see the track, so I don't really care,
The best part was when he was driving and you see him suddenly break out in the biggest smile. To me, that says more than any superior M4 stat. I just wish I had an autobahn nearby to do what he did.

ISF001

http://www.telecinco.es/mqc/Lexus-RC...118405160.html

Su silueta deja claras sus intenciones. Nos encontramos ante un deportivo con mucha garra que llega al mercado con la intención de pelear con sus rivales europeos. A continuación entra en pista el Lexus RC-F, un coche a tener muy en cuenta.


Its silhouette makes clear his intentions. We have a sports car with great grip to hit the market with the intention of fighting with its European rivals . It then enters the track Lexus RC -F , a car to take into account.

ISF001

There is mounting evidence that the RC F is more than capable of dealing with track duty. Indeed, there is also mounting evidence that the M4 car makes too much power with the rear wheels and torque for its weight and chassis setup. This is why some of the owners are crashing their vehicles--too much nearly uncontrollable torque-induced oversteer.

There is nothing superior about the M4. It's a competitor like the RS5. I paired off with the M4 at a light, and, as expected, his car was content spinning as I pulled away. On a steep, twisty hill climb, he was not going anywhere without me. The TVD shines and proves its worth under such conditions.

The cars are matched much more than people understand. Reviewer bias has been an issue, but even the most staunched German-loving car critics are coming around. The RC F, for the price, is unbeatable and an impressive machine. In the hands of a skilled driver, you can do amazing things--you just need open road!

AussieISF

Wish I could understand this, but still looks like a heck of fun. Anyone speak German?