2015 Lexus RC F ( 2015 lexus rc f )

2015 lexus rc f  

First drive evaluation

In a marketplace thick with sedans and crossovers and SUVs, -door coupes are few and a long way among. That is why we were a touch surprised—pleasantly so—when we discovered that Lexus would release the excessive-performance, rear-wheel-force RC F coupe into an ever-shrinking marketplace space ruled by the Germans.

The RC chassis is a Frankenstein mash-up of three special vehicles. From the front bumper to the A-pillars lay the bones of the Lexus GS sedan. Between the A- and C-pillars, engineers borrowed the floorpan of the Lexus IS C convertible (reinforcing the sills for correct measure). The rear cease is customized from the current Lexus IS sedan. The three sections are welded and bonded together with structural adhesive used across the rockers, inner fenders, A-pillars, and floor crossmember. Greater spot welds be a part of the cover and rockers, and laser screw welding is used for the door apertures, rear window, and package deal tray. Structurally, the everyday-electricity RC coupe and the recent-rodded RC F are nearly same, even though the F has its personal fenders, aluminum hood, and front bumper cover, in addition to a few greater braces to stiffen matters up even extra.
Cross For Redundancy

Sliding into the huge-reinforced buckets exhibits a comfortable cockpit with a excessive center console running down the middle of the auto. The bezel-shifting liquid crystal display gauge pod from the IS350 F sport changes its appearance the various four to be had power modes (Eco, ordinary, recreation, game+). Gone is the IS’s goofy mouse controller, replaced by way of a easy rotary-knob manipulate for the radio, except you pony up for the navigation gadget, wherein case a haptic touchpad controls the infotainment display. Audi’s MMI may be our preferred interface, however the Lexus device has simply the right quantity of redundancy and permits any first-time driving force to track the radio or set the HVAC temp without taking a Berlitz course.

Any a success coupe story blends show with the pass, and there’s no denying that the RC is flashy. In F shape, the RC350’s “fauxtarossa” slats on the rear disappear, and bargeboard-like vents, carried over from the IS F, cool the engine compartment. The F can look busy from a few angles, as though there was one clothier responsible for the car’s tail, some other assigned to the hood, and still any other running on the facet, with each one looking to placed their stamp on it. This polarizes a few onlookers, but once you step back and consider the entire, the RC F seems greater cohesive.

As compared to the IS350 sedan, the RC F is 1.5 inches longer usual, 1.6 inches decrease, and 1.3 inches wider with a 2.7-inch-shorter wheelbase. That remaining measurement takes its toll. Rear-seat passengers will pass over headroom, legroom, and any other room you may think about. It’s tight back there, however, hiya, it’s a coupe—Lexus is assured the RC’s reduce attraction will outweigh any deficits of practicality.
Only some Horses Shy of Sensational

There are only a few moments in lifestyles whilst we’d say 467 horsepower isn’t sufficient—but that is considered one of them. While the outgoing IS F’s 5.Zero-liter V-eight was thoroughly overhauled for the new RC F, the car additionally won an awesome little bit of weight, and the RC feels no quicker than the IS. Dripping wet, this car breaches the 2-ton mark, a few 200 pounds heavier than the IS F, and the mass will only growth with optional accessories. We’re not looking ahead to the RC to outpace the vintage IS, both. Lexus’s four.Four-second 0-to-60-mph estimate is just about what we'd are expecting (which is what we got out of some IS Fs we formerly tested). We’ll have an RC F to check soon, so stand with the aid of.

To Lexus’s credit, including 51 horsepower to the V-eight wasn’t a easy european reflash. Titanium valves (all 32 of them) and a lighter crankshaft and connecting rods allowed engineers to stretch the redline from 6800 rpm to 7300. Greater revs equals more energy, but they also require greater air and greater gas, consequently the F’s tweaked 2UR-GSE V-8 calls for both a bigger throttle frame and gas injectors. Maximum energy comes at a heady 7100 rpm, while the torque peak of 389 lb-feet, up 18 from the IS F, is available at a greater accessible 4800 rpm, 400 decrease than the old engine’s height. The compression ratio additionally will increase to twelve.Three:1 from eleven.8:1.

Subsidizing the greater electricity are wider-variety camshaft phasers, giving the brand new engine Atkinson-cycle functionality. This improves performance while cruising and under low masses, absolute confidence a factor in supporting the RC F internet a 25-mpg EPA highway-mileage estimate. In fact, cruising in pinnacle tools at dual carriageway speeds underneath mild throttle is pretty serene.