Lexus RC F Track Edition Takes Tuning to a New Level
Even though the Lexus RC F Track Edition lacks huge power numbers, it's a poised and polished performance car that's bound to get any track-focused petrolhead excited.
The Numbers Don't Make Sense
The Lexus RC F Track Edition is a car that would probably make an accountant angry. It's currently priced at $119,950, making it more expensive than most of its rivals. The naturally-aspirated engine makes less torque when compared to its turbocharged competitors. Its tires are no larger than those of the base RC F. In addition, much of its structure is made of carbon fiber, but the vehicle still weighs 3,781 pounds.
Photos Courtesy of Lexus
Interior
The RC F Track Edition comes with a manually adjustable steering wheel and loses the cooled seats found in the standard RC F. Some would argue that the interior is somewhat dated and could borrow a lot from the LC 500. The screen and touchpad technology are functional but feel like they are behind time.
>>Join the conversation about the RC F Track Edition right here in the Club Lexus forum.
Less Weight
Compared to the standard 2020 RC F, the Track Edition sheds off 143 pounds thanks in part to the lightweight BBS 19-inch alloy wheels and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes. Steering the vehicle is now more communicative and lighter. Lexus also made sure that the Track Edition has its own fair share of carbon fiber. The hood, roof, and other major panels are all made of carbon fiber. These lighter materials enable the car to ride over rough edges easily and respond quickly to transitions.
>>Join the conversation about the RC F Track Edition right here in the Club Lexus forum.
Great Looks
The Track Edition packs some crazy looks. Fortunately, everything functions. The quad-exhausts are made of lightweight titanium. The rear wing provides 56 pounds of down-force while the intakes and vents channel air. There's an 8-speed automatic transmission underneath that now makes quicker shifts than in the previous models. Lastly, there's traction control that you can manually turn off. However, when the going gets tough, there's an electronic safety feature that saves the day.
>>Join the conversation about the RC F Track Edition right here in the Club Lexus forum.
Precision
The team of engineers at Lexus have done a great job at making sure the RC F is precise. "When I was driving for BMW, sometimes everything they gave you was a hammer. This is more a scalpel," said Scott Pruett, 5-time Rolex 24 winner and Lexus' development driver when talking about the RC F.
>>Join the conversation about the RC F Track Edition right here in the Club Lexus forum.
Performance
You don't need to be a race car driver to derive the very best from the 5.0-liter V8. It emanates smooth power through the 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine is one of the very few naturally-aspirated power units that we have left on the market today. Its brakes are powerful and unflappable. The RC F is a car that rewards tidy and consistent driving behavior.
>>Join the conversation about the RC F Track Edition right here in the Club Lexus forum.
Power
Lexus spent a lot of time making sure that drivers get the very best of the 5.0-liter V8. It now churns an extra 6 pound-feet of torque and 5 horses to bring the total to 395 pound-feet and 472 horses. The 0-60 mph time is a little over 4 seconds.
>>Join the conversation about the RC F Track Edition right here in the Club Lexus forum.
Limited Production
The RC F could be presumably signaling the end of its production run. The Track Edition will see limited production, making it a potentially rare threat on the racetrack.
>>Join the conversation about the RC F Track Edition right here in the Club Lexus forum.
Tuning is not all about the Numbers
One lesson that we could all learn from the RC F Track Edition is that tuning is not all about displaying big numbers. The price doesn't match the specs, but the numbers add up. The RC-F is a precise trim of an already well-performing car. If you're looking for a car that combines great build quality and track capability, you'll really like the RC-F.
>>Join the conversation about the RC F Track Edition right here in the Club Lexus forum.
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