Toyota’s 2016 Lexus RC F is a high-performance luxury sports car powered by a 5.0 L DOHC 32-valve V8, featuring both direct and port fuel injection. The 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted “F” Spec paddle shifters delivers 467 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque.
With this ample amount of power, the RC F gets an EPA-rated consumption of 19 mpg city/highway combined (16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway).
To keep informed of exactly what the engine is doing, simply check the instrument panel that displays G-force, includes a lap-time counter, and shows you the status of the speed-activated rear wing. Lexus states that the RC F is track-proven with a pedigree for performance.
The RC F has a highly rigid body formed by high-strength adhesive bonding, laser brazing, and multiple laser screw welding. This means quiet sound and a quality vehicle, second to none.
There were several unique features that I personally enjoyed. Large paddle shifters are positioned for fast gear changes, and specially designed rubber pads help to give the grip your foot needs, adding comfort regardless of the number of laps you run.
The seats, designed to disperse body pressure, provide great support and help to keep you firmly planted through the turns. The headrests are comfortable and designed to keep your head safely in place. They also act as an aid for perfect viewing.
However, although the seats are constructed to support your hips, the seat side ridge is too wide and high and makes it difficult to exit the vehicle.
The RC F offers a Performance Package ($5,500) that provides track-ready upgrades. These include a torque-vectoring rear differential, an exclusive carbon-fiber rear wing, and a carbon-fiber roof.
The RC F has three “selectable driver modes”: Standard, Slalom, and Track. The mode you select determines things like torque distribution according to cornering conditions, which can route more power to the outside rear tire for enhanced agility. This helps you to hold the line with unprecedented precision.
Inside, the cockpit looks like a race car, with a race-ready gauge cluster featuring a multi-information display and a remote touchpad that places everything just a fingertip away.
The test drive of the RC F was an incredibly interesting and exhilarating experience. In all my years of driving, I have never received such positive comments about a car than I did with the RC F. Whether it was in a conversation with a store clerk looking through the car’s front window, neighbors coming over to get a closer look, or fellow drivers giving a “thumbs up” as they were being passed, everyone smiled.
I heard men and women, young and old, remark with enthusiasm about how “beautiful,” “stylish,” and “cool” the RC F looked.
There is also a Premium Package ($3,240) that offers features like heated and ventilated front seats with driver-seat memory, black carbon-fiber interior trim, advanced blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and intuitive park assist, just to name a few.
Driving the RC F gave me a sense of empowerment. I became so proud to drive this powerful, luxury sports car that I actually felt like I was a part of the car.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $62,805.
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or [email protected]
