The Lexus RC Coupe we saw at the Tokyo Motor Show just three months ago is to gain a sportier “F Sport” cousin at the Geneva Motor Show next week and will hit showrooms later this year. Even bigger news is that Lexus is going racing, and a GT3 version of the car will be available to race teams within 12 months.
Very few details of the RC F Sport have been released along with the images, though in a separate announcement, Lexus has also announced it will premier a racing concept of the “RC F” sports coupe, named the “RC F GT3 concept”,
The RC F GT3 concept has been developed to meet GT3 standards, and weighs a featherweight 1,250 kg (2,756 lb). The GT3 version will use the RC F’s V8 engine, with performance bolstered to more than 540 horsepower (403 kW).
It's not exactly a concept, as Lexus has already announced it will supply the GT3 from the beginning of 2015 and is obviously keen to use motorsport to build the brand.
As far as the RC F Sport road car goes, here's the entire press release:
Tokyo, Japan, February 28, 2014 – Lexus will display the “F Sport” grade of the new “RC” coupe at the 84th Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland from March 4 through 16. The vehicle is scheduled for launch the second half of this year.
The F Sport version adds an enhanced sporty and dynamic interior/exterior design and the driving enjoyment and performance of Lexus "F" vehicles to the RC, which debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013.
Interior and Exterior Features
The RC F Sport features an exclusive version of the spindle grille, similarly featured on the high performance “RC F”, with an “F” motif embedded in its mesh from below the Lexus symbol.
Exclusive 19-inch aluminum wheels feature a pair of 10-spoke sets – with a machine finish on the foremost set and dark metallic paint on the inner set – layered in an offset pattern to add 3-dimensional depth.
Other exclusive features include a driver’s meter with movable center ring indicative of Lexus design and craftsmanship, and a steering wheel and shift knob wrapped in perforated leather.
Available body colors include F Sport-exclusive White Nova Glass Flake and newly developed orange and blue colors. An exclusive Dark Rose theme is available for the interior.
Driving Performance
The custom-tuned suspension employs an AVS system that optimally controls the attenuation force of the shock absorbers to ensure superb riding comfort, stable control, as well as excellent performance and safety under a variety of driving and road conditions.
On the RC 350 F Sport, speed, steering and other vehicle aspects are monitored by the Lexus Dynamic Handling (LDH) system to optimally control the turning angles of the wheels for superb running stability and agility at high and medium speeds, and excellent maneuverability at low speeds.
