Video: Chris Harris Drives the Lexus RC F

Posted by Kevin on February 17th, 2015

Chris Harris has already written a review of the Lexus RC F, but today we have a video review to watch — be warned, the first half of the video will be painful for Lexus fans:

Lexus RC F: First GenerationUnited KingdomVideos
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    Crux
  • February 17, 2015
This is what I've been waiting for. Finally. Definitively. I can conclude that I am no longer interested in the RC F. I adore the looks, engine, interior but Harrismonkey made it clear, its not meant to be. I just don't want it to be a public highway car. You are paying premium for it so why not get both. Even though I only track my cars few times every several years. Cannot wait for his GS F review. GS F it is...
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      True Lexus Fan
    • February 17, 2015
    Well Crux. Just go hug your E90 M3 then. Don't bother coming back.
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      True Lexus Fan
    • February 17, 2015
    Don't bother with the GS-F as well. Don't want no Bimmer a-hole to join Team Lexus. Go get yourself the v8tt M5 and enjoy those "Speaker enhanced engine sound" by Harmon Kardon. I'd prefer the more N/A sound of the 1UZ-FE and much superior Mark Levinson sound.
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      krew
    • February 17, 2015
    Edited for name calling.
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      Crux
    • February 17, 2015
    I have an IS! Why don't you just take it for what it is & leave it at that. This is specifically referring to the RC F, not the entire Lexus portfolio/brand.
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      krew
    • February 17, 2015
    I knew this review was going to lead to some heated discussions, but let's stay away from personal insults.
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      Crux
    • February 17, 2015
    Agreed.
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      Steve
    • February 18, 2015
    You're going to pay a premium for the GS F, too, lol. It's the 4-door alternative to the RC F, with a stock TVD. It might even cost more? lol
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    leopard08
  • February 17, 2015
That same Chris Harris might have something better to say about RCF when he drives both M3 RCF back to back
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    Travis
  • February 17, 2015
I think the RCF is a excellent machine the problem here I think is that Chris was expecting a bit more which he didn't get compared to faster more hard edge cars he has driven. but he did not once say the RCF is bad car he even ask at the end its special and has its own character and THATS what's gonna sell the RCF and people with speical taste are gonna be the ones who buy it. But like he said the RCF can grow I can see Lexus making it extremely capable down the line but Chris hasn't seen the lap times to where it HAS beat the M4 or matched it. Other reviewers has said the RCF is wonderful on the track so go figure gotta drive it yourself
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    RAL
  • February 17, 2015
why, oh why? . . . did they put the extra weight in for a convertible that will never be . . . ??? What could have been without it? . . . considering how good it still is with it. I need to go on a diet too!
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    05rollaxrs
  • February 17, 2015
The way he went all crazy and apesh*t over the Lexus LFA, I was hoping he would have similar levels of enthusiasm here. Sad to see it did not happen.
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Chris Harris is one of my favorite reviewers and he was one of the first to gush over the LFA when the world was bashing it early. I just think people expecting some wicked power rush are kind of out of line here, the RC F is not about 0-60 times. Even with all the complaints about weight (and not sure why the RC F is getting picked out for it when ever car weighs more and more) what we do know from track times is it is completely on par with any M3 or M4. I do admit the car isn't as fast as you would think but that isn't the car's purpose.
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      Steve
    • February 18, 2015
    Mike hit this on the head. The RC F has a purpose in the Lexus range. When you realize what the purpose of the RC F is, or F Marque in general. Then this car is not only about the weight or it's power or lack there of. And if you don't know the purpose, then ask yourself this question: "What makes the RC F an F-Marque car?" If your answers are 1.) Increased weight 2.) Low on power 3.) Even Uglier grille; then do us all a favor and don't comment on the RC F or any Lexus performance car in general. Lexus F-Marque is not some sort of follower, Lexus does what it wants, takes risks, and does a great job of doing so.
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      Trexus
    • February 18, 2015
    I agree with Mike and Steve. One must understand and accept the RC F for what it is. Just like the IS F it held it's own against the M3. The RC F is holding it's own against the M4. I'm very sure Lexus will improve the RC F year after year just like Lexus did with the IS F. So understand and accept it for what it is...
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    Trexus exactly. When the IS F wasn't seen as good as a performer as the M3 the internets liked to mention it. When the IS F got updates every year and then lapped as fast as the M3 the same people didn't say a thing, With Lexus they love to move goalposts lol.
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    Exactly Steve!!
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    Don Colione
  • February 17, 2015
If you compare the RC-F with the M6 it starts to make much more sense. It is partially based on the GS platform so this isn't a stretch. That is why it weights so much, it wasnt trying to compete directly with the M4. All these reviewers are forcing the M4 comparison down our throats because it is lighter and they can selectively make it look better because of that; but if you compare an RC-F to an M6, it destroys it in every category imo. Notice how when they review the M6, its 4400lbs+ weight or sterile performance isnt much of an issue there.....
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      wasapasserby
    • February 17, 2015
    Go take a look at the dimensions of the M6 and before you try deluding yourself into believing that the RC-F is in the same class.
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      Don Colione
    • February 18, 2015
    "In advance of the Lexus GS F’s debut at the Detroit Auto Show this week, Automobile Magazine has an interview with chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi answering one of the bigger questions about the new super-sedan: Automobile: Was there any thought given to increasing power given that the Lexus GS F is bigger and heavier than the RC F, or are you confident it will perform with sedans in the similar class? Yaguchi-san: The cars’ performance is almost the same so I want customers to choose which they like: sedan or coupe between RC F and GS F, as that is a matter of taste. The GS F will offer a Lexus F brand performance experience with a focus on fun and an easy-to-drive experience, while balancing its street and track character. There’s definitely been some concern in the enthusiast community about the GS F using the very same 467-horsepower V8 engine from the RC F, especially when the competition is the 560-hp BMW M5 and 577-hp Mercedes E63."
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    I just don't know why people are harping on the weight of only the RC F when most cars are overweight. Its like the playing field moves for Lexus. I would sacrifice some speed just for the aural sound of the V-8. To me its about a total experience and sound is one of the needs. Don does have a small point that this car does share some GS bits but IMO it is a M4 competitor.
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      kr_metal
    • February 18, 2015
    That's because the RC-F is extremely heavy compared to its competitors. It really hurts the feel of the car and the performance, and would be better off without it. What most aren't saying is that this is due to the fact that the RC platform was made for room for a convertible - now that that's scrapped, it's just dead weight.
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    I am all for lighter cars and the benefits of it but again the RC F is lapping like a M3/M4. So are we just complaining to complain? Its like people that complained the GTR was too techy and big with AWD yet the car is a beast. I could understand if the performance was WAY behind the pack but it is not. What I also find funny is people complain Lexus doesn't have the most HP and here is the RC F with more peak HP than a M3/M4 and that is never mentioned.
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      Tinhinnh
    • February 18, 2015
    Then why do they have a comparision video of the RCF against the M4 and RS5 on their website?
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    Chase
  • February 18, 2015
You know, I really, REALLY wanted to like the RC F but I'm really disappointed. What happened, Lexus?? Please do something like an RC FS or something just anything to get the Germans. PLEASE have the GS F be amazing, and the car everyone thought the RC F was going to be.
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      kr_metal
    • February 18, 2015
    Now that they no longer have to make the convertible, I think it's going to improve a little year by year. Weight reduction inbound.
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      Steve
    • February 18, 2015
    In the years to come, higher end F cars will probably be badged with a CC-Sport or CCS badge, Similar to how regular models can have the F-Sport badge. When CFRP becomes more mainstream, this is a possibility.
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    thegreatkingissafe
  • February 18, 2015
Call me old school... all the positives he mentions makes me want the car more. Some people buy cars just for bragging rights (0-60 km/h), some people buy cars for themselves. Those who buy cars for themselves buy a Lexus. This will the only one of the M4 and RS5 group that will hold it's value the best along with no regrets. The best products divide opinion. Issues with weight?... I believe in Kaizen.
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    NVlaar
  • February 18, 2015
I just love the RC-F..END OF STORY.:D
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    Alexxx
  • February 18, 2015
As I mentioned before, the only thing the RCF is good at is its price, compared to an M4. The sleeker looks on the M4, the more fun to drive factor in the M4 and most importantly the ultimate respect you get on the streets in an M4, the RC-F just cant match. I have driven them back to back, I felt the weight sooo much that it pissed me off against the much more fun M4.
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    Slay_Em_Seven
  • February 18, 2015
Lexus is a road car first. Performance variances come secondary to ride comfort and quality. This is the brands heritage. These are the lenses through which you have to judge the performance of these cars. Lexus isnt trying to best anything but their own idea of what luxury road cars should be. The brand maintained its core ethos while also adding an element of excitment though performance to their vehicles. Providing a product that is very user friendly in terms of driveability for the US marketplace is always high on the priority list and all of the reviews rave at how balanced and fun to drive the RC-F is, even after they gripe about its weight. The comparison between the M4 and RC-F isnt really fair to either of the 2 being that neither set out to accomplish what the other was seeking to.The M4, a lightweight turbo-charged sport coupe, while the RC-F is set more in the grand tourer vein of things. I'd liken it to an SC430 on steroids. A vehicle designed to provide just as much fun on track as it could comfort on a run up the coast line. Once these things are understood, the light begins to shine at just how well this performs given that its main purpose is for everyday use, comfort and reliablilty. Those close reviewer lap times really start to make the RC-F look like the hands down better over-all performer in a car for the money sense of things.
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    Absolut Sabs
  • February 18, 2015
This doesn't matter really, if you want one you will get one regardless. This review changes nothing.
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You have to decide whether to definitely shift to a sporty car maker or not. You're in between. You want to be sportier while need not to abandon those customers who recognize Lexus as a traditional everyday comfortable car maker. And this makes confusion. If you're making cars such as the RC-F you are targeting a M4, so expect people who usually drive that car (and are evaluating to make perhaps a change) to make a comparison. Moreover, what is important to me, since I'm not a pro driver and the RC-F is not even imported to Italy, is the interior. This car has the same ISh's dashboard that is way cheap and not appealing. I actually own an IS220d and fit and finish are far better that on this one. The dashboard's LFA like (minimalist) design hides an aggressive "Design to Cost" (same on the NX) approach (parts thickness, foamed assemblies, surface treatments etc...). Long term quality is spot on: those parts color will never fade, components never crack or whatever, but can't face the fit and finish of an Audi or BMW. And this matters in this price tag.
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      SoS
    • February 18, 2015
    If there is one nasty looking, cheaply made interior, its the BMW's, its SO boring to look at and its never nice to touch, not for that price anyways. The LFA inspired instrument panel alone is better than any BMW interior as a whole
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    Dear SoS, I'm not talking about subjective matter but objective. And I do not actually own a BMW (nor I'm going to buy one). I used the M4 just to highlight especially curb weight and perfomances in comparison. There are tons of performance video reviews out there. Let's "tear down" however the two dashboards and then we will discuss. I see a lot of potential in the Lexus brand, and they're improving their awareness but I'm not used to be a fan of this or that brand, I'm a customer. And as a customer, as well as an owner of an IS220d, I may assure, (perhaps for as an engineer I've worked on dashboards assemblies), that the RC-F/IS dashboard is cheaper than my IS's. Or, else, their design does not highlight their premium aspiration. Want to compare with an Audi's interior? Best
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      SoS
    • February 18, 2015
    First of all, I own a 2010 IS350 and the new IS has the best interior in class. my friend bought the new IS350 F sport, and there is a MASSIVE difference, quality wise, design wise, premier feel wise compared to my 2010 IS (that has the corolla digital clock). Now, comparing to Audi? PLEASE, do me a favor and compare 2014IS vs 2014 A4, sooo much plastic in the A4, small screen and tons of useless and confusing buttons. Am comparing both as they are rivals. The ONLY car the competes with the IS is the new c-class.
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    n6600
  • February 18, 2015
I am just wondering - did he turn on the Track mode, or stayed on Normal? All I saw was just Sport or Sport+.
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I do have to say this opens the doors to improvements in the RC F. I wonder will it get constant changes every year like the IS F? It also really opens the doors for a production "CCSR" or some sort of "Black Series" equivalent. But then imagine a two seat RC F a hundred lbs or so lighter with 20 more hp and a 20k more price tag. Is there a consumer for it?

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