DRIVEN: Is The Lexus RC F Simply TOO FAT To Keep Up With The Class Leaders?

The Lexus RC F is a worthy Japanese contender to the likes of BMW’s M4, thanks to the 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 power mill that churns out 471 ponies.

But while the model should be more than happy to hit the track to escape the crowded streets, the latest video review points to discerning issues – one of them being the weight it has to overcome when going full throttle on the racing circuit. According to Carbuyer’s Mat Watson, who took the Lexus RC F on a test drive both on the street and on the racing track, the model is plain fun to drive on the open road. But taken to the circuit, the Japanese coupe should have felt at home – only that its heft makes it feel a little out of its depth. 
 
 

TheSteve - 8/25/2015 1:54:03 PM

-3 Boost

I'm sure it'll appeal to Lexus fans, and there's nothing wrong with that. But I don't think it'll steal many serious BMW, Mercedes, or Audi shoppers.

knowitall1985 - 8/25/2015 3:31:57 PM

0 Boost

If your on the road and not the track the weight is safer and more refined.

USNA1999 - 8/25/2015 5:54:06 PM

-4 Boost

Spoken like a true LEXUS salesman, "well we cannot beat the Germans so lets lie to our customers". Lets make a negative into a positive.I don't think I have ever heard anyone say that weight is "safer and more refined", LoL! I had a LEXUS and I would buy this car but not because of the BS lie you are saying, what a pathetic salesman.

GMCadillac - 8/25/2015 7:16:34 PM

-6 Boost

knowitall is one of those morons who thinks only the Americans are arrogant and the Japanese are humble.

If only he knew anything about Netouyo (aka Internet Right Wingers of Japan, which is gaining strong support from the Japanese society) and how they discriminate against other races and think their garbage companies are the best in the world, then he would see this Lex Garbage as nothing but...Garbage.

MDarringer - 8/25/2015 7:21:06 PM

-5 Boost

How is more mass safer?

knowitall1985 - 8/26/2015 6:32:38 PM

+1 Boost

PROVEN FACT HEAVER CARS FAIR BETTER IN ACCIDENTS!!

knowitall1985 - 8/26/2015 7:24:06 PM

+1 Boost

I forgot more than you dimwits know about cars...LOL!!

TomM - 8/25/2015 3:49:30 PM

-7 Boost

Lexus is not a top tier Premium performance producer =- and I would not expect them to produce anything that compares directly to Cadillac - much less the other Germans.

GMCadillac - 8/25/2015 7:18:36 PM

-6 Boost

Fully agree. I would compare Lexus to something like Buick or... even Hyundai. In fact, I think comparing Lexus to Hyundai is pretty realistic, as Hyundai has premium cars that can certainly challenge Lexus flagship cars and such.

iamdabest1 - 8/25/2015 3:52:02 PM

+3 Boost

im definitely not a lexus fanboy, if anything im more into bmw but i would definitely consider getting an rc-f . i had the original is-f and didnt like that much but this new rc-f i think has great road presence. maybe it wont win races on the track, but i dont track my cars anyway !
problem with rc-f is the lease programs currently suck which is the main reason i wouldnt consider it. if the m4 goes for 850 and rcf at 750 id take the rc-f. ( ultra sonic blue )

W124E320 - 8/25/2015 6:29:55 PM

-1 Boost

Freakin hideous car... the "medusa" of sports coupe's.... yuk...

MDarringer - 8/25/2015 7:20:29 PM

-5 Boost

The RCF is a bit fat, but it and the competition will NEVER be driven at the track by the intended owners, so it does not have to be a track star.

I know all of you love me and are transfixed by my quest for a company car that for three weeks has been trumped every time I choose one. Three have been lost to customers wanting the buy the car and I got bumped off the Camaro list by a motivated buyer.

Getting into an RCF would be easy. I doubt it will be in demand. It deserves to be. Just like the snobs shunned the excellent ISF, I predict the RCF will languish.

valhallakey - 8/26/2015 12:11:51 AM

0 Boost

It may deserve to be taken seriously on road talent, but style wise it was beaten with an ugly stick...

cidflekken - 8/26/2015 12:49:34 AM

-1 Boost

Curious why you feel "it deserve to be" in demand. It's heavier than the competition. It's slower. It's less fuel efficient. It's less practical. A car that had plenty of engineering time to beat the competition falls short in almost every possible way. The primary thing it has going for it is its styling, which, for good or bad, is polarizing. It's attention-getting for sure, but those types of designs don't typically have a long shelf life. I'm not refuting your opinion that "it deserves to be", I'm just curious what the rationale is. For almost every reason why someone would want to buy a car in this category, it falls short.

MDarringer - 8/26/2015 8:43:36 AM

-4 Boost

@cidflekken we all know you're a German car "enthusiast" so of course you hate the Lexus. The RC/RCF--as a car--is every bit as good as a comparable BMW, Benz, or Audi. The next A5 will be all new with old styling. The 4 Series just recycles the same played out BMW cues. The new C Coupe is an ugly but featureless blubbery mess.

In terms of reliability, the Lexus wins hands down. I have driven the RC and liked it quite a bit.

If I were heading to the track, I'd go with a Mustang 5.0 that would kill all four of these coupes.

cidflekken - 8/26/2015 12:15:23 PM

0 Boost

LOL. Maybe you forget that I was extremely excited for the RC and RC-F before it was officially unveiled and tested. Maybe you're forgetting how I'm the only one that defends Acura on this site these days. Maybe you misread my positive comments on the ATS-V performance. Maybe you misread my OBJECTIVE FACTS about how the RC and RC-F are simply at a level below their direct competition. No subjective opinions. Simple facts, my friend. Oh, and let me add that I test drove EVERY car in this segment except the ATS/CTS before I made my last buying decision, and based on those OBJECTIVE TEST DRIVES, I made my decision.

cidflekken - 8/26/2015 12:20:33 PM

0 Boost

And let me just add, and I've said it before, that my favorite car of all time was my 1989 Acura Integra. My WORST car ever was my Lexus GS which had to have MAJOR REPAIRS with less than 50k miles on it. Anymore questions, sir?

BlueThundr - 8/26/2015 9:46:04 AM

+3 Boost

The problem is not so much that the RCF is too heavy but that the M4 is too light! There is way to much power available at low revs that it takes an expert driver to handle and take full advantage. Several honest reviews of M4 confirms the 'problem'- especially in the wet. Less than 5% are expert drivers. So the RCF is in fact a far more balanced car and the power is far more useable, especially with TVD, for normal drivers (95% of us).

jameswisrik - 8/26/2015 9:50:35 AM

+4 Boost

Luxury and then sports..its always been Lexus/Benz philosophy! Bmw is sports first and luxury second. I prefer the RC F style over the M etc. I don't need it to be the fastest...I want it to be a 5*****(star) experience every time i get into the vehicle. Only Benz/Lexus provide this. BMW is like a Hard Rock Cafe Hotel...loud,busy, and tiring...but for young people that could only afford a lease, the bmw/audi is it. But for the people who can do things on their own time...its Lexus/Benz.

w222 - 8/26/2015 7:30:11 PM

0 Boost

All the cars suck, there... saved all of you guys from arguing.

Lovecars15 - 8/27/2015 3:21:12 AM

+1 Boost

I know that many carry on about weight, but recently Nissan designer for the GTR was asked about making the GTR lighter. His response was is that the GTR needed the weight to stay on the road. He said that F1 cars generate 1800 kilograms of down force which made the car weight over 2 tonnes. So maybe weight is not an issue.

BlueThundr - 8/27/2015 7:45:08 AM

+2 Boost

And the reason why BMW, Mercedes and Audi are drastically reducing weights (including downsizing from V8 to V6 and/or adding turbo) is because of stricter fuel usage and emission laws. Not because of better performance or demand from customers. So anyone who appreciates the linear power delivery and sound (aural sex?) of the NA V8s like the RCF should get one soon- before they become obsolete.