VIDEO REVIEW: Lexus RC-F Proves To Be A Great Match For Last Year's BMW M3

In a way, the Lexus RC-F is more like the previous generation BMW M3 Coupe than the current M4 and that is obviously due to its naturally-aspirated V8 engine.

However, the 5.0-liter V8 engine produces 471hp, slightly more than the M4, which settles for 425hp from a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine. Clearly, Lexus’ V8 sounds much better than BMW’s force-fed engine, but is the Japanese car better to drive than the German coupe?

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USNA1999 - 9/12/2014 11:30:15 AM

+2 Boost

Nice looking, awesome exhaust sound but too heavy and lousy brakes. But no where an M3?

knowitall1985 - 9/12/2014 1:15:46 PM

-1 Boost

Biased, but he sure giggled alot.....

cidflekken - 9/12/2014 3:18:55 PM

+1 Boost

I don't think this "proves" anything, per se. No direct matchup to compare performance results or driveability. Repeated comments regarding the Lexus' weight and brakes. Seems more like an Audi RS without the quattro, which isnt' a bad thing, but they underperform under intense track work.

MDarringer - 9/12/2014 3:57:12 PM

-2 Boost

I always liked the ISF because it WASN'T an M3 and I suspect I will be as smitten with the RCF for the very same reason. The ISF was an "American muscle car" done by the Japanese while aiming at BMW. They missed the mark but created something delightful.

iamdabest1 - 9/14/2014 1:46:11 AM

+1 Boost

i like a lot about this car, i really like the way it looks, and of course the sound it great. i had the first version ( is-f ) always like the exhaust note, and enjoyed the fact the it sounded like a muscle car.
the things i wish it changed was the handling wasnt great, and i guess its still not great according to this review, and i wish it got rid of the auto transmission and offered a manual and a dual clutch instead.
competition and options is what i love,
id get this car, but ultimately it will all come down to the numbers, if it leases well i think its worth giving it a shot, if its as much as an M4 then its not worth it.

40flash - 9/15/2014 11:50:49 PM

+2 Boost

I wonder what percentage of M3s or RC-Fs will ever see a road course? Less than 1% is my guess. Within that 1% that actually see some track time, what % of the cars total miles are on a road course? As car guys we all want a car that drives well but buying a car because it beat the competition by half a second with some test driver at the wheel on a road course that you'll never get to drive the car on yourself is silly. I retired from road racing several years ago. Now I pick cars by the smile they put on my face with comfort, convenience, handling, perceived cost of ownership in the mix, not lap time numbers.