The 2023 Lexus RC F isn’t a fantastic automotive. It’s outdated, heavy and gradual in comparison with its rivals. But it’s not all dangerous. Pop the hood and also you’ll discover the RC F’s saving grace: a powerful 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine. Step on the accelerator, hear the engine’s low burble flip right into a high-pitched yell, and impulsively you don’t care in regards to the RC F’s flaws anymore.
Full Disclosure: Lexus lent me a 2023 RC F with a full tank of fuel throughout a weeklong journey in Southern California.
2023 Lexus RC F: Driving and Powertrain
Clichés about an engine dominating the expertise of a automotive are thrown round loads, however I promise you, on this case it isn’t hyperbole. From the second you press the beautiful feeling begin button and the 5.0-liter V8 roars to life, you recognize this engine means enterprise, however not in the way in which you’d count on.
The motor places out 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, which aren’t numbers to sneeze at by any means. But in a automotive that weighs 3,900 kilos, it isn’t actually sufficient to make it fast or outright quick. Of course, the RC F isn’t gradual in comparison with most on a regular basis autos, however a BMW M3 or Mercedes-AMG C63 will certainly steal the Lexus’ lunch cash with out a lot of a battle.
The RC F won’t have the straight-line velocity or cornering skill of its rivals, however its V8 has such an exquisite character that it’s arduous to not be smitten. Sure, you actually should wring it out to get the complete expertise, and there’s not a lot energy down low within the rev vary, so driving round city isn’t all that thrilling. (The exhaust baffles don’t open up till you crest 3,000 rpm.) But the sound this factor makes close to its 7,200-rpm redline is music to my ears.
The RC F will not be an all-out monitor star, however on an attractive Saturday morning drive, it’s pretty. The steering could be very properly weighted and filled with suggestions, although not the quickest unit on this planet. Sharper turns require extra hand-over-hand motion that you just’d most likely need; the RC F is significantly better fitted to lengthy sweepers.
The chassis is a little bit of a blended bag. The RC F undoubtedly favors understeer, and it will probably get a bit unsettled on a bumpy floor, however should you give it some juice mid-corner, it’ll come round quite properly. At its coronary heart, the RC F is a cruiser that may have enjoyable on a winding backroad. This will not be a razor-sharp sports activities automotive.
There is however one subject with the RC F’s drivetrain: its eight-speed computerized transmission. It’s gradual to shift while you’re not going all out, and doesn’t wish to downshift by itself in computerized mode. You’ve obtained to present the throttle an actual boot-full if you’d like the gearbox to kick down. Like a lot of the RC F, the transmission appears like a product of days passed by. I assume you may say that it offers an in any other case refined driving expertise a little bit of imperfect character.
Inside the RC F
The RC F’s cabin is typical Lexus, which is to say it’s supremely well-built, however you’ve obtained to be keen to look previous technological shortcomings. The general match and end feels sturdy and premium, and for probably the most half it additionally seems to be extra fascinating than the interiors of different autos in its class. There’s loads of leather-based, carbon fiber, suede and actual metallic contained in the RC F that may virtually make you suppose it’s price its $91,210 asking worth (together with $1,150 for vacation spot). It’s undoubtedly an previous design at this level, contemplating the very fact this automotive first got here out in the course of the Obama administration, however it’s a design that has aged very effectively, all issues thought of.
The entrance seats are particularly great. They’ve obtained a superb quantity of help, aren’t too tight for my vast hips, and on prime of that, they give the impression of being implausible. There’s little doubt that my check automotive’s white leather-based will find yourself getting soiled, however should you simply dropped over 90 grand on a automotive, you possibly can most likely afford to have a detailer on standby.
Rear seat occupants get their very own air vents, a few cup holders and little else. Much to my shock, an actual grownup particular person can sit again there for semi-extended intervals of time. My buddy Sarah is 5 toes, 6 inches tall, and she or he was capable of get again there simply positive. I wouldn’t advocate throwing somebody again there for hours on finish, however in a pinch it’ll get the job finished.
The RC F’s Outdated Tech
I’ll lower proper to the chase: None of the expertise contained in the RC F appears like a product of 2023. If tech in your sports activities automotive isn’t necessary, then it isn’t a lot of a difficulty. But for this amount of cash, I count on much more.
Now, to be truthful, Lexus at the least up to date the RC F’s tech roster for 2023. Drivers now have a touchscreen within the heart that can be utilized as an alternative of Lexus’ terrible trackpad. But nonetheless, this infotainment system doesn’t precisely really feel leading edge. It’s not very fast to answer inputs and it isn’t very customizable. It does include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however via a wired connection solely. Oh, and that wire is USB-A solely.
The RC F additionally has bizarre stuff like capacitive contact controls for the cabin temperature and a totally redundant set of local weather controls baked into the infotainment display. There’s additionally a bizarrely small speedometer and gauge cluster graphics that look, once more, extra at residence in a automotive from the previous. That being stated, the middle tach is all digital and a throwback to the LFA, in order that’s fairly neat.
Looks and A Big Option
The RC F’s design would be the higher a part of a decade previous, however for probably the most half it has withstood the check of time. I’ll say that my tester’s optionally available $595 Flare Yellow paint goes an extended approach to making the RC F look particular.
The different factor that units my RC F aside is the Carbon Package. For $17,775 (sure, you learn that proper), your RC F will get a carbon fiber roof and rear bumper, carbon fiber aero bits and a retractable carbon fiber rear wing that’ll deploy and let everybody know you’re rushing. You additionally get 19-inch matte black wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and inside, this costly package deal provides some carbon fiber trim, heated and ventilated entrance seats and a heated steering wheel with an influence column. So yeah, I assume you get a whole lot of stuff for the cash, however wow does it fully biff up the value of the RC F.
Figuring Out The Lexus RC F
The RC F begins at $66,695 if you’d like a bare-bones instance. And at that worth – which is about $10,000 cheaper than a base BMW M4 – I believe it makes a whole lot of sense. Hell, even when the RC F price $75,000, I may most likely wrap my head round that. It’s very well made and it has one of the vital great engines I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing. However, with the Carbon Package, the particular yellow paint and a handful of different little choices, the RC F I examined prices $91,210. That is just too a lot cash for this automotive.
My actual subject is that, at 91 grand, you might be pushing up on Lexus LC 500 territory. A base LC 500 will set you again $98,850 (together with vacation spot). If you’ve obtained $91,000 to spend on a automotive, you’ve additionally obtained $99,000 to spend on a automotive. Plus, with the LC you get much better seems to be, a extra fashionable inside and a greater transmission – all with the identical nice V8 engine.
2023 Lexus RC F RC F RWD Specs
Engine sort
Premium Unleaded V-8
Transmission/Drive
Automatic w/OD
Source: jalopnik.com