RC F

First shown in the run-up to the Paris Motor Show in August last year, the standard RC, which bows in the Motor City in sporty F guise, receives mainly subtle exterior updates derived from the LS, namely a redesigned Spindle Grille with a lower placed carbon lip, new stacked LED headlights with L-shaped integrated daytime running LEDs, a tweaked F Sport bodykit and restyled taillight clusters as well as a new rear bumper.

While the changes to the interior are limited to a new heating, ventilation heating and air-conditioning (HVAC) panel and radio display again taken from the LS, most of the updates are underneath the skin where the suspension brackets are now composed from aluminium and the mounts themselves made more rigid to save weight. In addition, the F also comes with stiffer rear suspension bushings, a new down take manifold, hollow rear half shafts and a smaller air conditioning compressor again to cut down on mass.

Riding on newly designed 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber said to have been designed in partnership with the French manufacturer and featuring a unique profile and tread pattern, the RC F also makes do with power in that the normally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 now produces 352kW/535Nm.

Up four kilowatts and eight Newton Metres on the pre-facelift F, and also fitted as standard with Launch Control, the amount of twist continues to be routed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, although no performance figures were announced.

RC F Track Edition

Said to be more than just a limited edition take on the RC F with a number of accessories fitted, the Track Edition, according to Lexus, has been developed with input from the automaker’s Japanese Super GT and US IMSA GT racing division’s, with the aim “to deliver exceptional performance enthusiasts can easily exploit in a wide variety of conditions”.

As such, the Track comes equipped with a model specific bodykit consisting of a carbon fibre front splitter, a fixed carbon rear wing designed to improve airflow and claimed to produce an additional 26kg over the standard F’s active rear spoiler, a carbon fibre roof and bonnet, titanium exhaust system and lightweight 19-inch BBS forged alloy wheels shod with the same Michelin rubber as the regular F.

Despite retaining the same power and torque outputs as the normal F, the Track Edition ticks the scales at 82kg less and apart from the mentioned carbon aesthetics, further receives Brembo carbon ceramic brakes and the same Lunch Control system that will result in a claimed 0-96km/h sprint of 3.9 seconds.

Available in a choice of two colours, Ultra White and Matte Nebula Grey, the Track Edition’s interior differences are made of red carbon inserts on the doors and dashboard and a red interior with Alcantara seat inserts. Production of both models is set to commence in the second quarter of this year, with sales in South Africa allegedly starting a few months later.