RCF production numbers
06-18-15, 02:35 AM
#46
Lexus Test Driver
Don't want to stirr the pot, but I think it is only fair to look at both sides (as I have always defended RC-F at all times).
Again, just playing fair here. Watch closely at 0:03, the RC-F was already doing 14 km/h when the M4 was sitting at 0 km/h. So the RC-F started a bit earlier. It is not really a scientific comparison to begin with.
Road and track lap times are hugely inconsistent. It is because it is a run down old runway with lots of broken segments. Road and track claims they test it because they prefer to test the cars on rough pavements. It heavily favors cars with adjustable dynamic suspension because of the rough patches.
The fact that the M4 and M3 lap times are so far apart, shows how inconsistent their drivers are. M4 without adjustable suspension did poorly while the M3 with adjustable suspension did well. Biggest thing, a top tier supercar like LFA did not do well here because of its stiffness and rigidity and/or the inconsitent amateur drivers. Its only 130 mph max speed is a big indicator.
I think the MotorTrend Randy Pobst back to back hotlaps were pretty much as close as it could ever get to apples to apples comparison.
Actually, Clarkson is not a huge fan of BMW. He had been very harsh in his M5 review as well.
Although, definitely he took it way overboard and he definitely was unfair in his review of the RC-F. He just simply exaggerated the understeer and weight issue to the point where he made the review center around those two things. Not allowing The Stig to do a lap in RC-F was also another travesty because of his prejudice against the RC-F. I am sure RC-F would have done well.
His review of RC-F was unfair and there are no two ways about it.
However, he is far from anti-Lexus brand. His appreciation for the GT-86 had been shown extensively on Top Gear. As a matter of fact, he continuously says, Lexus LFA was the best car he had ever driven in all of the Top Gear seasons. He actually wants to own an LFA, but there are none available in UK. The one that come up for sale in Europe, are extremely expensive.
Again, just playing fair here. Watch closely at 0:03, the RC-F was already doing 14 km/h when the M4 was sitting at 0 km/h. So the RC-F started a bit earlier. It is not really a scientific comparison to begin with.
Road and track lap times are hugely inconsistent. It is because it is a run down old runway with lots of broken segments. Road and track claims they test it because they prefer to test the cars on rough pavements. It heavily favors cars with adjustable dynamic suspension because of the rough patches.
The fact that the M4 and M3 lap times are so far apart, shows how inconsistent their drivers are. M4 without adjustable suspension did poorly while the M3 with adjustable suspension did well. Biggest thing, a top tier supercar like LFA did not do well here because of its stiffness and rigidity and/or the inconsitent amateur drivers. Its only 130 mph max speed is a big indicator.
I think the MotorTrend Randy Pobst back to back hotlaps were pretty much as close as it could ever get to apples to apples comparison.
Actually, Clarkson is not a huge fan of BMW. He had been very harsh in his M5 review as well.
Although, definitely he took it way overboard and he definitely was unfair in his review of the RC-F. He just simply exaggerated the understeer and weight issue to the point where he made the review center around those two things. Not allowing The Stig to do a lap in RC-F was also another travesty because of his prejudice against the RC-F. I am sure RC-F would have done well.
His review of RC-F was unfair and there are no two ways about it.
However, he is far from anti-Lexus brand. His appreciation for the GT-86 had been shown extensively on Top Gear. As a matter of fact, he continuously says, Lexus LFA was the best car he had ever driven in all of the Top Gear seasons. He actually wants to own an LFA, but there are none available in UK. The one that come up for sale in Europe, are extremely expensive.
My guess is is that Stig did actually put the RC F through its paces, but Clarkson chose not to post time in favor of his little antics. People buying the charade are a bit dense . . . Heck, those guys have had the stage put everything from golf carts to tractors though the test metaphorically speaking of course.
06-18-15, 02:45 AM
#47
Lexus Test Driver
I always love the random pot shots about how we are all dumb for not getting the M4, so what do they say if the person has 10 other cars that all crush the M4 on the track and wanted something on the way it looks and something to rack up miles and take to walmart? 
So far the more I drive this car the more I like it.
So far the more I drive this car the more I like it.
when my brother and I put the RC F in Sport +, took traction control off and went bizzark on damp public streets . . . we had a firkin blast. The RC F was spinning wheels and sideways all the way through third gear and perhaps 4th but we back off due to public streets.
Moral of the story is if you think the RC F is gentle GT cruiser then take the sucker out of normal or eco mode, put it in Sports +, turn off traction control and have fun IF YOU CAN HANDLE it. Many of those talking crap on here would probably end up in a ditch due to lack of car control skills if pushing it to the limits with no electronics.
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bbowaralk (04-16-23)
06-18-15, 07:07 AM
#48
Lexus Test Driver
Great post. No doubt about it, his review of the RC F was totally uncool for Lexus who was probably really excited about their new car and looking forward to some time comparisons.
My guess is is that Stig did actually put the RC F through its paces, but Clarkson chose not to post time in favor of his little antics. People buying the charade are a bit dense . . . Heck, those guys have had the stage put everything from golf carts to tractors though the test metaphorically speaking of course.
My guess is is that Stig did actually put the RC F through its paces, but Clarkson chose not to post time in favor of his little antics. People buying the charade are a bit dense . . . Heck, those guys have had the stage put everything from golf carts to tractors though the test metaphorically speaking of course.
06-18-15, 09:22 AM
#49
Great post. No doubt about it, his review of the RC F was totally uncool for Lexus who was probably really excited about their new car and looking forward to some time comparisons.
My guess is is that Stig did actually put the RC F through its paces, but Clarkson chose not to post time in favor of his little antics. People buying the charade are a bit dense . . . Heck, those guys have had the stage put everything from golf carts to tractors though the test metaphorically speaking of course.
My guess is is that Stig did actually put the RC F through its paces, but Clarkson chose not to post time in favor of his little antics. People buying the charade are a bit dense . . . Heck, those guys have had the stage put everything from golf carts to tractors though the test metaphorically speaking of course.
06-18-15, 09:31 AM
#50
[QUOTE=05RollaXRS;9080287]Don't want to stirr the pot, but I think it is only fair to look at both sides (as I have always defended RC-F at all times).
Again, just playing fair here. Watch closely at 0:03, the RC-F was already doing 14 km/h when the M4 was sitting at 0 km/h. So the RC-F started a bit earlier. It is not really a scientific comparison to begin with.
QUOTE]
Maybe/maybe not...I agree it is not scientific. Not trying to incite anything here, but I snagged the image at the bottom of this post at 1 second into the race. It appears to be a very fair start to me. They are both showing revs at about 2,200 rpm.
Regardless, it's a very close race that M4 owners would have thought to be a non-competition. I think not.
However, in this run, it was a visually fair, proper start. The M4 just can't keep the rubber on the asphalt. We can all debate why. That's a good thing if you want to heat asphalt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdTe...ature=youtu.be
Again, just playing fair here. Watch closely at 0:03, the RC-F was already doing 14 km/h when the M4 was sitting at 0 km/h. So the RC-F started a bit earlier. It is not really a scientific comparison to begin with.
QUOTE]
Maybe/maybe not...I agree it is not scientific. Not trying to incite anything here, but I snagged the image at the bottom of this post at 1 second into the race. It appears to be a very fair start to me. They are both showing revs at about 2,200 rpm.
Regardless, it's a very close race that M4 owners would have thought to be a non-competition. I think not.
However, in this run, it was a visually fair, proper start. The M4 just can't keep the rubber on the asphalt. We can all debate why. That's a good thing if you want to heat asphalt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdTe...ature=youtu.be
Last edited by ISF001; 06-18-15 at 09:38 AM.
06-18-15, 02:16 PM
#52
Lexus Test Driver
Definitely, a valid point. Maybe, they took off at the same time, but wheelspin in the M4 caused the 14 km/h difference I noticed.
Maybe/maybe not...I agree it is not scientific. Not trying to incite anything here, but I snagged the image at the bottom of this post at 1 second into the race. It appears to be a very fair start to me. They are both showing revs at about 2,200 rpm.
Regardless, it's a very close race that M4 owners would have thought to be a non-competition. I think not.
However, in this run, it was a visually fair, proper start. The M4 just can't keep the rubber on the asphalt. We can all debate why. That's a good thing if you want to heat asphalt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdTe...ature=youtu.be
Maybe/maybe not...I agree it is not scientific. Not trying to incite anything here, but I snagged the image at the bottom of this post at 1 second into the race. It appears to be a very fair start to me. They are both showing revs at about 2,200 rpm.
Regardless, it's a very close race that M4 owners would have thought to be a non-competition. I think not.
However, in this run, it was a visually fair, proper start. The M4 just can't keep the rubber on the asphalt. We can all debate why. That's a good thing if you want to heat asphalt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdTe...ature=youtu.be
06-21-15, 04:05 AM
#53
Correct...it was a no burnout 4.2 second run. There is no video, inspector. And it was my first attempt.
After 1,700 miles, I'm comfortable with and confident in what I can do with this car.
If this showers down on potential M4 owners, they can take shelter. The V8 will turn over even better, consistent,
performance as it approaches 3,000 miles--stock.
08-09-15, 10:58 PM
#54
Quote from Lexus HQ
Curious what folks know about how many RCF's were or are scheduled to be built. With 671 new/used for sale on Autotrader it got me thinking how well these cars are actually selling. That number may make perfect sense, I just don't have the relative context. Does anyone know or have a feeling as to how well the car is being received in the market?
I imagine in your area should only expect to see a 1 - 3 sold a month.
08-14-15, 06:25 PM
#56
I was told by a very knowledgeable non-Lexus dealer there is an approx $10K markup on the RC-F. I think the demand is very high in some markets which will bring full MSRP but not so in others, so deals may be available in the latter. There could also be a self created shortage to drive demand up, but who knows.
Z
Z
08-14-15, 08:20 PM
#57
Moral of the story is if you think the RC F is gentle GT cruiser then take the sucker out of normal or eco mode, put it in Sports +, turn off traction control and have fun IF YOU CAN HANDLE it. Many of those talking crap on here would probably end up in a ditch due to lack of car control skills if pushing it to the limits with no electronics.
02-03-17, 02:37 PM
#59
I was told by a very knowledgeable non-Lexus dealer there is an approx $10K markup on the RC-F. I think the demand is very high in some markets which will bring full MSRP but not so in others, so deals may be available in the latter. There could also be a self created shortage to drive demand up, but who knows.
Z
Z
its 5k not ten i sell for lexus
