In Lexus Parlance, F Is for Flogging

“Even an idiot can drive it. And I should know – I’m an idiot.”

That’s the assessment of one automotive journalist after a few laps at the Monticello, NY, Motor Club racetrack (during moderate weather) in the ’15 Lexus RC F, a new coupe designed to cast the Japanese luxury brand in a high-performance light.

Lexus redefined premium cars and set a new benchmark for noise, vibration and harshness when Toyota created its upscale offshoot in 1989, forcing German and American competitors back to the drawing board.

While sticking to its ultra-quiet knitting, Lexus allowed BMW, Mercedes, Audi and (eventually) Cadillac in the ensuing years to dial up the sporty quotient with their respective M, AMG, S and V sub-brands. These marques attract enthusiasts who want more than a relaxed and silent ride.

Lexus’ first legitimate attempt to join that fray was the 4-door IS F, which launched in February 2008 with sharp looks, lithe handling and a 416-hp naturally aspirated V-8 that sounded like no Lexus before and edged out the 414-hp V-8 in its targeted rival, the BMW M3.

At that time, the recession was taking its toll on discretionary purchases such as luxury coupes, but today’s market hardly resembles 2008.

Instead, the sector is flush with new (or fresh) premium coupes, including the Audi A5, BMW 4-Series, Cadillac ATS and Mercedes C-Class.

Into this maelstrom arrives the RC with its angry and controversial double-trapezoid face, taut sheet metal, excellent chassis dynamics, jutting taillamps and blazing, uncharacteristically bold colors, such as Molten Pearl, Atomic Silver and Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0. This car is not a real-estate agent’s safe choice.

Two engines are available, and both require premium fuel and employ Toyota’s unique combination of direct and port fuel injection. One engine is spectacular, the other a bit disappointing.

The preferred powerplant is the 467-hp 5.0L 90-degree V-8 (codename 2UR-GSE) that appears only in the rear-wheel-drive RC F, which carries a starting price of $62,400.

That’s a tremendous value for a lightweight, well-equipped Lexus with this much power and the ability to reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.4 seconds.

RC F 5.0L V-8 Modified From IS-F

Consider this a heavily modified version of the 5.0L V-8 that first appeared in the Lexus IS-F and now gets titanium intake and exhaust valves, a higher compression ratio (12.3:1, up from 11.8:1) and a revised intake cam profile to increase valve lift and accommodate the Atkinson combustion cycle for better fuel economy. During casual driving, this beast of an engine can sip fuel like a smaller 4.2L V-8.

Other improvements include a larger throttle diameter, dual-intake air filter, motor-driven variable valve timing and an exhaust manifold that feeds from four pipes to two for better air flow. The engine now incorporates water-to-oil and air-to-oil cooling systems for better track drivability. Even the oil pan was redesigned to reduce “oil agitation.”

The exhaust system for the V-8 is engineered to minimize backpressure to ensure high power output while the main muffler is meant to be quiet at low RPM and boisterous at the high end. Under a heavy boot on the track, the 5.0L is loud and proud, sounding fantastic as it howls through quad tailpipes. High-rpm runs are punctuated by glorious blips of backpressure.

Inside the cabin, the sound isn’t entirely natural. Active Sound Control allows the RC F to respond sonically to gear shifts and accelerator inputs. In Sport S+ mode, the system electronically synthesizes additional sound that blends with the purely mechanical tones from the engine. The computer constantly adapts to changes in throttle inputs to deliver the proper soundtrack for the moment. ASC automatically shuts off when Eco, Normal or Sport S modes are selected.

The 5.0L V-8 is the engine that demonstrates Lexus’ seething desire to assert its rightful place at the racetrack.

Combined with the optional rear torque-vectoring differential, which can bail out mediocre drivers carrying too much speed into tight corners, this improved V-8 is Lexus’ best chance to play with the Germans.

At the other end of the powertrain spectrum is the RC 350, which carries over Toyota’s corporate 306-hp 3.5L V-6 (codename 2GR-FSE) that was impressive enough to win four consecutive Ward’s 10 Best Engines trophies between 2006 and 2009.

But it is overdue for a significant overhaul. All the critical dimensions and specs are identical to when this engine last made our list.

This is not a bad V-6. It still makes decent power, and the vast majority of RC buyers who can’t locate their nearest racetrack will be more than happy with it. It gets better fuel economy than the V-8, rated at 19/28 mpg (12.3-8.4 L/100 km) city/highway.

But it feels out of place at the track, unable to make the palms sweat or create much aural engagement, despite an intake sound generator at work at high RPM.

Though competent in other Lexus vehicles, this 3.5L doesn’t belong in a car that’s loaded with sex appeal and that has a legitimate shot at redefining Lexus’ conservative brand placement.

The rear-wheel-drive RC F and RC 350 come with an 8-speed automatic, while the all-wheel-drive RC 350 comes with a 6-speed auto.

Still One More: RC 350 F Sport

There’s still one more slice of RC pie yet mentioned, the RC 350 F Sport, which uses the same V-6 powertrain but adds compelling features such as Adaptive Variable Suspension and rear-wheel steering (Lexus Dynamic Handling), which makes the coupe more agile on the track.

Pricing for the RC 350 starts at $42,790 for RWD and $45,025 for AWD. The entry price for the RC 350 F Sport is $47,875 for RWD and $49,705 for AWD.

Despite powertrain differences, all versions of the RC benefit from extensive use of body adhesive bonding and laser-screw welding that results in a rigid, lightweight body made up of 43% high-strength steel. The car rides on its own unique architecture.

The RC interior is all business, well-appointed and comfortable and conveys sporty elegance. Fit-and-finish of pre-production test models is excellent.

The 2-person back seat is even reasonably comfortable for a smallish adult male. But the most useful aspect of the second row is its ability to fold flat (in a 60/40 split) as an extension of the trunk.

As expected, the interior color and trim options start out basic for the RC 350 and become more daring in the RC F, which offers aluminum and carbon-fiber, as well as the stunning and heavily stitched Circuit Red leather on seats, doors and the center console.

All versions of the RC come from Toyota’s plant in Tahara, Japan, which also produces the IS, LS and GS.

So how is Lexus doing with its new coupe? In its first full month (December), the brand delivered 1,042 RCs, according to WardsAuto data, outpacing other premium coupes such as the Audi A5, Infiniti’s outgoing Q60 and Cadillac ATS, which went on sale last summer.

But the RC lags the Mercedes coupes by a healthy margin, and the gorilla of the segment remains BMW, which sold 5,839 4-Series coupes in December.

Lexus says it plans to sell about 15,000 RC 350s (including 7,500 F Sport variants) and 2,500 RC F coupes this year.

Sure, that’s a respectable number but one that will trail the 4-Series badly. On the upside, executives say half of RC customers will be new to the Lexus brand.

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'15 LEXUS RC F Specifications