1st Generation Lexus RC 300, 350, F and Track Edition Megathread

[mikeavelli]

In the USA if you pick up a major Publication (Motor Trend etc) there is a centerfold ad

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

Some interesting developments:

Only 50 for the 2020 model year coming to the US. The allocations are only to dealerships that successfully sold the F cars well. Many dealerships have not been given an allocation especially who don't sell RCF and other F cars well. Allocation is only 1 per dealership. Based on what some people who are interested in getting one said, the dealerships are saying there is a large number of people interested in the dealership's single allocation. Certainly, it is not easy to get one of these track editions as the dealerships get to pick who they want to sell it to.

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

No flying start and without Randy Pobst

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

 

[krew]

Top Gear Review: Lexus RC F Track Edition

Compared favorably to the BMW M4.

View the original article post

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

Nice to see finally a Lexus Top Gear is willing to recognize as better than M4. However, their "untruths" about the 1st gen RCF are perplexing. Yes, there is minimal understeer in the RCF like most sports cars have and TVD was developed to get a neutral behavior, but saying it was "limo" understeer is ridiculous. I can get the car into an oversteer with the throttle very easily without being highly skilled. My hope is, the new RCF-spec MPS4S with the stiff sidewalls will go a long way in minimizing understeer.

 

[PeterF]

Nice to see finally a Lexus Top Gear is willing to recognize as better than M4. However, their "untruths" about the 1st gen RCF are perplexing. Yes, there is minimal understeer in the RCF like most sports cars have and TVD was developed to get a neutral behavior, but saying it was "limo" understeer is ridiculous. I can get the car into an oversteer with the throttle very easily without being highly skilled. My hope is, the new RCF-spec MPS4S with the stiff sidewalls will go a long way in minimizing understeer.

I fully agree with you here. BTW: the Porsche 911 is known for significant understeer (engine in back); i bet it has a tendency to understeer more than the RC F. I don't know, but owning a 911 and driving it on the track the understeer is something that one must learn to manage in high speed corners. I just think that Top Gear wanted to be a little prosy and write a nice little piece with extra words to make it sound better. Perhaps they mean that if and when you do experience understeer, the experience is a little more comfortable than in something like a 911. the RC F is such a comfortable car. In a number of ways, nicer to drive than the 911.

I have to keep reminding myself that Top Gear and MotorTrend and C & D etc, are autojournalists and writing/prose and entertainment is a critical part of what they do; being entirely fair and accurate is NOT the top priority. [although, when they lavish praise, we love it!]

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

Agreed. The understeer greatly depends on how you take the turn. With the TVD, the key is never lift off the throttle completely. One has to feed in the power through the turn to continue to get rotation from the back. I believe 911 through a turn require careful modulation of throttle as well.

For example, I was taking a very tight turning circular off-ramp and with TVD in slalom mode, while feeding in the power through the turn, the nose kept tucking in harder and harder until I gently got the rear end step out while controlling through throttle. While exiting out, I momentarily let off the throttle to not merge in too fast while doing a shoulder check and suddenly I got a slight push of the nose out. I corrected and got on the throttle and the car rocketed out to the straight merging lane.

I fully agree with you here. BTW: the Porsche 911 is known for significant understeer (engine in back); i bet it has a tendency to understeer more than the RC F. I don't know, but owning a 911 and driving it on the track the understeer is something that one must learn to manage in high speed corners. I just think that Top Gear wanted to be a little prosy and write a nice little piece with extra words to make it sound better. Perhaps they mean that if and when you do experience understeer, the experience is a little more comfortable than in something like a 911. the RC F is such a comfortable car. In a number of ways, nicer to drive than the 911.

I have to keep reminding myself that Top Gear and MotorTrend and C & D etc, are autojournalists and writing/prose and entertainment is a critical part of what they do; being entirely fair and accurate is NOT the top priority. [although, when they lavish praise, we love it!]

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

https://www.motoring.com.au/lexus-rc-f-track-edition-2019-review-118137/

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

 

[Joaquin Ruhi]

The Japanese-language version of the Lexus Global Newsroom has just posted a news release (including pricing) on JDM versions of the refreshed RC F, including the "Performance Package" (their take on the export Track Edition). Click through to view the original and Google Translated versions of said news release.

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

 

[CRSKTN]

The Japanese-language version of the Lexus Global Newsroom has just posted a news release (including pricing) on JDM versions of the refreshed RC F, including the "Performance Package" (their take on the export Track Edition). Click through to view the original and Google Translated versions of said news release.

Seems to be $125k USD/$175k CAD for the track edition, $100k USD/$135k CAD for carbon package RCF, and $93k USD/$125k CAD for standard RCF.

That said, the pricing is also on the Lexus USA site, at $65k USD for base and $96k for the track edition.
https://www.lexus.com/build-your-lexus/#!/zip/90210/series/RCF/year/2020/trim

Canadian pricing is $85k for base, $35k premium for TE.

That pricing is much better than I had anticipated. At under $100k USD, you're basically cross shopping LC 500 vs RCF TE (if you can find one given the limited run).

 

[mediumhot]

Pricing is right on par with decently equipped M4. Interesting that some colors are locked down to Premium Package while Yellow is Performance Package exclusive which itself is overpriced and makes Track Edition seem like an value option.