Lexus Returns To The Sports Car Arena

For years now if an individual wanted a fast, comfortable sports car, Germany was the popular choice. The BMW M3, Mercedes C63 AMG, and Audi RS4 and RS5 have provided owners with copious amounts of fun. For the majority of their life span, these vehicles have gone unchallenged by Japanese or American automakers. Recently, Cadillac has entered their CTS Vsport to commence battle with the Germans. So what’s Japan’s offering? The newly designed RC-F. 

The Lexus IS-F is by no means a slouch. With 416 horsepower and 371 lb-ft of torque, the sedan can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. But then again, power wasn’t the issue with the Lexus. Actually, most of the reviews of the IS-F were really positive. So why have the German automakers reigned supreme in the sport sedan market?  It wasn’t that the Lexus was a bad car. It’s a great car. However, when comparing it to the likes of the Mercedes C63 AMG, BMW M3 and Audi RS4, it lacks some finesse. 

     The Mercedes C63 AMG is known for its sledgehammer engine, the BMW M3 is renowned for its racecar capabilities, the Audi RS4 for its high levels of grip, and the Lexus, well it’s the best all-rounder. It did everything the competition did, but in a less memorable manner. Journalists loved how the Mercedes wanted to attack you, how the BMW made you a better driver, and how inviting the Audi was. They loved the Lexus because it was the one that got the job done. It did everything the competition did, but without the “joy” factor. Which isn’t such a bad thing. Inevitably, the Mercedes, BMW, and Audi won the majority of the head to head competitions with the Lexus IS-F. However I have a feeling that Lexus has changed the tides with the 2015 Lexus RCF.

           Unveiled at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, the Lexus RC-F is poised to be a German rival. The Lexus RC-F is powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 that puts out an impressive 455 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. All of the jazz sounds good, but a sports car needs more than a powerful engine to set it apart from the competition. Well Lexus fans don’t fear because the RC-F is more than a pretty face.

            Carbon-fiber parts are dispersed throughout the entire vehicle. One would find carbon fiber on the hood, roof, and trunklid. Lexus has also tinkled with the handling characteristics by adding fancy suspension gizmos and their uniquely tuned Lexus Dynamic Handling system. Stopping power will come from specially co-developed brakes from Brembo and Lexus with six pistons in the front and a four-piston setup in the back. All of this sounds good and dandy, but the Lexus RC-F has to deliver on and off the track.

         Late 2014 to early 2015 is set to be a very exciting time for the sports car market. BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus are planning to release new variants of their high performance models. The Lexus RC-F looks to be the real deal. It’s equipped with all of the go-fast goodies as its German competitors, with styling to match. It appears as if Lexus has built a vehicle to propel itself to the top. Let’s hope that they manage to keep the price down. If they do, there’s a good possibility that Japan will once again give Germany a run for its money.