Lexus RC F to Get Updated V8 Engine?

Posted by Kevin on September 21st, 2017

Autocar reports the camouflaged Lexus RC Fspotted at the Nürburgring last week was testing an updated version of the 5.0L V8 engine:

The BMW M4 and Audi RS5 rival will remain a unique offering in its segment with atmospheric induction, but mid-life improvements are predicted to edge its high-revving engine’s maximum output beyond 470bhp, giving the super-coupé more clout in the fight against its boosted competition.

The LC 500 shares the same engine as the RC F, but with higher output: 471 horsepower and 398-lb-ft. of torque in the LC, versus 467 horsepower and 389-lb-ft. of torque in the RC F. Upgrading the RC F to latest specs seems like an obvious move.

No word yet on the release of the updated RC F coupe, but it won’t be in 2017 — Lexus USA has already announced the 2018 model year.

Lexus RC F: First Generation
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Comments
Gecko
That black on black combo is killer!
James
I like seeing them improve the F brand! Bring the ISF back and LCF and we are looking good!
bogglo
My guess...
FRONT: clean up the front to have a cleaner look like the LC.
SIDE: probably hiding a rear air vent or more light weight material.
BACK: probably save weight by getting rid of active spoiler and replacing with a permanent carbon fiber one

engine probably re-tuned to give output close to LC power (If they can tune it to have the same Hp and torque that would be awesome)

I love those wheels on it too hopefully it makes it to production and hopefully it's forged.
james_m300
TTV6 testing?? maybe 10 speed auto + LC's engine output
Hamed Al Ketbi
This exciting ...
I think the updates would be mostly with the engine that would be closer to the LC500
Yuan
  • Yuan
    Yuan
  • September 12, 2017
I thought the RCF was discontinued? Will Lexus really kill the mid range coupe?
C
I see a new front lower lip spoiler, some added creases on the lower side valence and rear bumper, and the (likely) fixed rear spoiler which if like the GSF is "meh" to be honest. For me, part of the appeal of getting my F was the exotic-like retractable CF rear spoiler despite the few extra pounds it adds. :)

That aside, I would bet that for the RCF to be spotted on the Nurburgring, there has to be significant changes lined up mechanically for the RC F, hopefully the next gen F engine/transmission powertrain. If only someone did and posted a video clip on clues to hearing what's under the hood.
krew
  • krew
    krew
  • September 12, 2017
Yuan
I thought the RCF was discontinued? Will Lexus really kill the mid range coupe?
RC F has not been discontinued, I haven't even seen that as a rumor. It's too important strategically for the brand, never mind all the resources spent building it into a viable GT3 race car.

:)
S
corradoMR2
That aside, I would bet that for the RCF to be spotted on the Nurburgring, there has to be significant changes lined up mechanically for the RC F, hopefully the next gen F engine/transmission powertrain. If only someone did and posted a video clip on clues to hearing what's under the hood.
Really, really unlikely. The RC is a lost cause and Lexus will not invest a lot of effort into it. The priority for the F-department right now is their halo car, the LC-F. RC is there just for TMC's motorsport program, I'm afraid.
E
  • E
    EI19
  • September 13, 2017
I think just the minor esthetic change doesn't justify going to the ring. How about if they are testing the LC-F engine under this hood? Remember how they test RCF engine previously on ISF CCS-R. And going out with LCF body will get way too much attention.
bogglo
ssun30
Really, really unlikely. The RC is a lost cause and Lexus will not invest a lot of effort into it. The priority for the F-department right now is their halo car, the LC-F. RC is there just for TMC's motorsport program, I'm afraid.
I don't think it's a lost cause. I am not expecting a serious weight loss to it but I wont be surprise if whatever they do to it makes it better than the stock M4. the updated ISF is a good indication. Also this refresh could get some of LC500 performance feature (like power, exhaust note, suspension etc...). And since they getting the idea from the LC I don't think they would be investing a lot. the only thing I want them to keep is the 8 speed transmission but the improved version(the RCF don't need a 10 speed)
mikeavelli
There are some special upgrades coming :)
Trexus
mikeavelli
There are some special upgrades coming :)
Twin turbo V8 or V6???
Trexus
Yuan
I thought the RCF was discontinued? Will Lexus really kill the mid range coupe?
Lexus needs to expand the RC line to include a convertible and four door coupe as well.

RC 200t/300h/300 awd/350/F coupe
RC 200t/300h/300 awd/350/F convertible
RC 200t/300h/300 awd/350/F four door coupe

BMW has:

430/440/M4 coupe
430/440/M4 convertible
430/440 four door coupe
krew
  • krew
    krew
  • September 21, 2017
Lexus RC F to Get Updated V8 Engine?

[​IMG]

The RC F could get updated LC 5.0L V8.
View the original article post
maiaramdan
Logic move to get the most updated 5.0L engine and may even the 10 speed automatic transmission so they take the new combo from the LC to put it in the RCF and spreads the R&D costs
I believe we may see it soon also in the LS as LS560 or LS550
M
Wasn't there a talk while back how they couldn't fit rear wheel steering? Maybe they've figured it out somehow ;)
Tragic Bronson
Lexus sent the RCF to the track to lose some weight :D
Gecko
Tragic Bronson
Lexus sent the RCF to the track to lose some weight :D
Hope they send the LC next!
Joe
  • Joe
    Joe
  • September 21, 2017
I don't see what there is to update on the 5.0 V8, as both RC F and LC 500 have the same output already with 477 hp... at least in Europe.
Joe
  • Joe
    Joe
  • September 21, 2017
mikeavelli
There are some special upgrades coming :)
I know... but it seems that you have more inside info than I have, as the updates that I've heard of don't seem important enough to me to take it to the ring for a big test... ;)
C
Joe
I know... but it seems that you have more inside info than I have, as the updates that I've heard of don't seem important enough to me to take it to the ring for a big test... ;)
Agree. An incremental amount of hp and torque to me would be disappointing and would not make sense to me to test this at the ring.
Alexander Li
Just like the IS F, it will probably get significant suspension changes that might slow it down.
That might explain why it's on the Nurburgring.

A