First Impressions: The Lexus RC F Track Edition


While competitors fall all over themselves releasing new crossovers and variants of existing crossovers and crossovers that shouldn’t even be crossovers, Lexus decided instead to update one of their worst-selling cars with a limited-edition hardcore track package.

I love it.

After enduring the wave of criticism that launched the RC F, when media and consumers alike called the coupe fat and expensive and underpowered and unable to compete against the Ms and AMGs of the world, Lexus shaved off 176 pounds for the new Track edition, revamped the engine and transmission, reworked the entire front suspension, and developed a bespoke tire with Michelin.

And I love it.

Lexus RC F Track Rear

As luxury automotive design leans more conservative and the front grille becomes the only place for designers to express themselves and everything descends into blandness, Lexus goes hog-wild with garish exposed carbon-fiber and slaps a GIANT wing on the trunk lid.

Still, I love it.

Lexus RC F Track Side

The Lexus RC F Track Edition is absolutely the wrong car at the wrong time, it defies all logic and should have died in that first proposal meeting. Lexus regional offices around the world should have pushed back until the RC F Track Edition withered away to nothing, screaming about the need for new crossovers and the misuse of development funds. This coupe should not exist.

But it does, and I love it.

Lexus RC F Track Rear 2

The RC F Track Edition is only available in two colors (Ultra White & new Matte Nebula Gray). It will likely cost an arm and a leg with all its carbon fiber and carbon ceramic brakes and Alcantara insides. Lexus USA only expects to see 60 units in total for 2019. Every additional fact makes it feel more and more ridiculous.

Regardless, I love it.

This is not a car that will set the world on fire, but it is a signal flare that Lexus has no plans to give up on the RC F just yet. The critics could have stifled any hope, the engineers could have been railroaded, upper management could have moved on from the coupe with little resistance. Instead, Lexus applied their trademark Kaizen principle of constant improvement and refactored the hell out of the RC F.

Sometimes, things don’t have to make sense. Sometimes, desire overrides logic. Sometimes, you see a car like the RC F Track Edition with its messy messaging and unclear future and you remember why you fell in love with cars in the first place.

Lexus RC F Track Edition Front

AutoshowsLexus RC F: First Generation
Comments
F1 Silver Arrows
Don't assume things man, the fact that you're jumping to assumptions about somebody is definitely not cool and it is untrue as well. I'm not going to respond to the rest of your comment because you're trying to blow off a lot of steam.
Reading through these posts, you are making a lot of assumptions about others and the lack of regard for facts is coming off as steam blowing indeed. Given the ability to stretch its legs, the 472hp RC F should walk away from a 335hp Supra. Will the Supra probably be faster 0-60 or 1/4 mile? Yes - welcome to turbocharging 101. But the RC F's horsepower advantage will trounce the Supra given the opportunity to get into the upper RPMs for an extended run.

All we have so far for the Supra is price, weight, horsepower, torque and 0-60. There is still a lot we don't know - including hypothetical GRMN Supras. What we have now are limited facts about the Supra and a good bit of factual data about the RC F because it's 4 years old. The good news is that this car should be out for media testing very soon, and on sale in something like 10 weeks, if what I hear is correct. We'll have more data very soon.

Again, let's dial back the personal jabs and assumptions. Last time I'd like to make that point.

Once the Supra has run quicker 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and 1/4 mile in 12.5@114 mph 0-200 km/h in 14.5 seconds then we can talk about it. The track edition will be quicker than these standard RCF numbers. Even the new standard RCF probably will run quicker due to better tires and shorter gearing.

Until then, itis about the RCF track edition. Let's keep it to that.
Supra will not have the interior experience of RC-F I can tell you that much. RC-F interior ambiance is the best in class, like you are sitting inside of a tank. Honestly the best thing about RC-F is the interior and how awesome it feels. Low seating position, thick door panels, proper arm rest position. It's one of those things you don't know you can experience unless you actually do.
R
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    RAL
  • January 15, 2019
[/QUOTE]
I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with emotions ... or more specifically, passion for one's opinion. What does cross the line is when you are disparaged for your opinion or the way you relay it disparages another. IMHO, mutual respect must underpin the back and forth.
My guess is, Lexus has eliminated the LSD version of the RCF and made the carbon fiber/TVD RCF the base model. I completely agree, if that is the case since RCF should never be driven without the TVD. It seems so integral to the driving experience where 'slalom' in city for best maneuverability and the 'track' mode for high speed agility through fast turns. It makes the car really neutrally balanced and responsive in turns that LSD does not do it justice as far as handling goes.
I like the RC-F. Thought about getting one a few years ago.

I'm waiting on the 4IS ISF though. (need a 4 door)
arrow1982
It will be 473 hp. 472 hp would be too little bump. They will not put engineering hours in an engine, that will be built like maybe five pieces a month, for a twelve month production run.

The car will be stripped of amenities, a little carbon fiber panels here and there and thats it. Still it will be hellishly fast!
I have to admit, i came quite close to the final value!!!!!!
Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I've made any comments. Here are mine.

First, I must preface my comments by saying that I have become quite the track junkie with my 2014 911 C2S. So much so that I moved from novice to advanced with a number of track groups and am not going to start as an instructor with a motorsports group.

I was hoping for a TRUE TRACK edition version of the RC F. While I really like the way it looks, I think that they have compromised with this car by keeping too much of the luxury. If you really want to seriously track a car, then you don't care about all the cushions, stereos, infotainment system, and back seat. There is much too much extra weight on this car. I would have had 3 models / builds. The basic RC F (spruced up with some of these extras), a RC F with the additional carbon fiber and maybe a spoiler that was a little smaller than the one they have here (for those who want a car that looks like its for the track, but really don't want to drive it on the track much if at all) and a true track edition that would have more carbon fiber, no back seat, no high end stereo, only the basic safety system stuff, without the excess leather and cushions, and keep the rest on the current edition. They should have shedded more like 300-400 lbs, not 176. Also, if you want to track a car, then its not a good idea to have carbon ceramic brakes because you were go through brakes readily and these things cost way more. Have some large slotted steel/iron disks with huge pads. I'm looking for another car to add to my 911, but I won't buy this one. A Porsche GT3 and above are really too expensive, and clearly out of the RC F's league. They want the RC F track edition to compete with the BWM M4 but I bet the M4 will track better and beat it as well

The best new and exciting dude out there is the new 2020 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500. That car is badass and has upgraded transmission (that apparently compares with Porsche PDK in terms of fast shifts), upgraded suspension (they promise far better cornering that the GT350R), a major upgrade to the engine (now with more than 700 HP, supercharged), and other additional tech and fun. the Shelby Gt500 will likely be cheaper than the RC F track edition and it will absolutely stomp it on the track (and it looks fearsome).

I drive at up to 15 different events a year and I bet that I will never see the Lexus Track Edition on the track. I have seen an RC F once in the past 2 years and most cars beat it (911s, M4s, corvettes, high end camaros, Mustangs etc. It would beat most M3s if the driver is talented.

I think they made this "track edition" for people who want to drive a Lexus that kinda looks like a race car, with a big wing, who fantasize about driving in track event, but are not seriously interested in driving very fast and pushing the car at the kind of track events held by PCA, 10-1oths, Chin, MVP, etc.

so, I am disappointed, but not surprised. Lexus does the best job at comfort, luxury, and reliability, and the F cars are very fast, sound fantastic, look cool, but they are not built for serious track driving. Porsche has that down in spades. BMW has the M4 GTS, and Ford Performance has some serious irons in the fire with their upper end Mustangs as does Chevy with their corvettes and upper level camaros.
Here's the important question: the LC500 beat the old RC-F on track despite being a whale in size and weight. Will the refreshed RC-F (not the track edition) beat the LC500 or will GA-L prevail again?
ssun30
Here's the important question: the LC500 beat the old RC-F on track despite being a whale in size and weight. Will the refreshed RC-F (not the track edition) beat the LC500 or will GA-L prevail again?
RCF is already quicker especially with TVD. LC500 is slower both in straight line and handling because of 350 lbs, size and understeer. On one fast track, it was a full 3 second difference. LC500 is more luxurious, ofcourse. LCF would be a whole different conversation.





Reading some of what you guys say I'm not totally surprised that Lexus doesn't go for a top 60 time or biggest engine/HP. It's not what they are best at and they have never really gotten into lap times and fastest car. Honestly does it matter if you can go 0-60 in 3.5 seconds or 3.96...probably not to the average driver or even a sports enthusiast he cares about the car on the road. 3.96 is still fricken fast and so is the new RCF at what 4.2? I think the biggest thing is they just can't be so outclassed it's not even close. A few .1 of a second who cares but a full second slower is where the problem is. I know on one of the threads about the SUV's 0-60 is more of a problem that they will have to solve as those are starting (okay starting is probably a nice way of putting it) to get pretty far behind and without a bigger engine option in any of the SUV's big difference with some of the competitors.

On that last question from ssun30 the RCF should beat out the LC right? I mean losing that weight should only help the RCF right?

Anyway regardless of LC or RCF faster thank god we can even have that conversation! I was really worried that they were going to go back and focus on sales and improvement there on more base models. The RCF, LC and LCF or LSF if we ever get them are very important to the lineup if Lexus ever wants to even continue fighting the big 3 Germans on higher models. It's hard to break their grasp that they have with fast cars but Lexus can't stop. The last few years have shown that they want to continue so they need to stay focused that when we have a brand new RC or IS that there needs to be an F with it. People need to see them on the roads and have their heads turn. They need to be heard on the street where people are looking for that amazing sports car and be wowed with what they hear coming from a Lexus. People have the it's just a Lexus no way it can be fast or fun that's a hard mindset to change but if they want to change that mindset they have to stay the course and honestly one of Lexus's biggest gaps still is that higher engine. They have to have one of those in almost every model. You're not going to sell many but you have to expect that! Our F brand is still really young and look at what they have done so far. Not bad. But will they keep the course? I think that's the biggest question and after NAIAS it looks like it...
One of the best parts from this updated RCF is knowing what Lexus engineers are able to do and imagine what's coming for the LCF :innocent:
R
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    RAL
  • January 23, 2019
The heart of car-lover Akio Toyoda beats throughout the company! I loved his contagious exuberance at the Supra reveal in Detroit. My hunch, he is the sustaining force behind this Track Edition.
I love it! I absolutely love it!! The more I look the more I want! I’ve never understood the Matt grey look and have argued with many people against it...I guess I’ve just become a hypocrite.
R
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  • January 23, 2019
LexiF
I love it! I absolutely love it!! The more I look the more I want! I’ve never understood the Matt grey look and have argued with many people against it...I guess I’ve just become a hypocrite.
No, you've just changed your mind ... ;)
The most underrated GT-sports coupe in the market
maiaramdan
The most underrated GT-sports coupe in the market
Being an RCF owner, it really is. When it came out in 2014, despite the weight difference, it was almost neck-and-neck with the M4 around the track with Randy Pobst. Over time, BMW updated the M4 with the competition package, but RCF is pretty much the same for the last 4 years with minor tweaks so it is a very welcome change to have these updates.

I got a chance to drive an M4 a few months ago and while it had much more midrange punch than my RCF, once the RCF is in high rpms, it was difficult to tell which car was quicker from a perception perspective since at high revs RCF feels like a proper 500 HP league car at high revs. Biggest let down of the M4 was the engine/noise/exhaust, which was beyond horrible especially coming from an RCF.
Agree Sir,

I have another underrated Lexus the GS-F and every time I drive AMG, M or RS I start to take the surprise face , WT* happen why they always say that this is a bad one compared to the others
maiaramdan
Agree Sir,

I have another underrated Lexus the GS-F and every time I drive AMG, M or RS I start to take the surprise face , WT* happen why they always say that this is a bad one compared to the others
Unfortunately, RCF fell victim to a handful high profile reviewers who factually got majority of the facts wrong (Chris Harris, Doug DeMuro and Clarkson) while very balanced reviews like these that fairly review the car, don't seem to have the same audience outreach that these high profile reviewers do.

Faisal Sheikh
Unfortunately, RCF fell victim to a handful high profile reviewers who factually got majority of the facts wrong (Chris Harris, Doug DeMuro and Clarkson) while many very balanced reviews like these, don't seem to have the same audience outreach that these high profile reviewers do.

I am very happy Lexus did not fall for it and realized they had something really special here that needs to be updated and be made more aggressive with the new 2020 RCF/Track Edition.

Probably 2 of the most detailed reviews about the RC F and GS F.
Ultrasonic blue is LIT!



This is probably the best review for GSF.

My short clip of the 2020 RC F with optional Performance Package.. I LOVE the updates... this is a Euro Spec model which explains the carbon fiber hood on the non Track Edition. Thanks Lexus Racing!




Driving footage of RCF Carbon/TVD and Track Edition

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