2014 Detroit: Will the 2015 Lexus RC-F finally snag some BMW buyers?

Story by John LeBlanc DETROIT – No longer sitting on the sidelines as its rivals sell highly profitable super coupes, Lexus unleashed its new 2015 RC-F sports coupe, arguably the wildest Lexus ever since the last LFA super car was sold. Similar to the old Lexus IS-F sedan, the new, IS Coupe-based RC-F two-door employs a 5.0-litre eight-cylinder gas engine. And unlike the new 2015 BMW M4 Coupe also debuting here in Detroit, the Lexus super coupe’s engine is naturally aspirated. So far, Lexus is quoting “more than 450 horsepower and more than 383 pound-feet of torque” for engine specs. That’s not only well up over the 417 hp IS-F, but also the new, 425 hp M4 Coupe and 450 hp Audi RS 5 Coupe. Interestingly, Lexus said the RC-F’s mill uses the Atkinson cycle at cruising speeds for “enhanced” fuel economy and then switches to the Otto cycle at higher rpm to develop “impressive performance levels.” Unlike the BMW super coupe, though, there’s no manual gearbox available in the Lexus, as the rear-wheel-drive only RC-F comes exclusively with an eight-speed autobox. There are the obligatory steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a new Torque Vectoring Differential to help dole out all that grunt to the rear wheel with the most grip. Visually, the RC-F takes the new Lexus “spindle grille” to a new level of aggression. Plus there’s a massive hood bulge to accommodate the taller V8 and wider fenders to cover the wider 19-inch wheels and tires. There’s also an active trunk spoiler that raises at 80 kilometres per hour and drops down again at 40 kms/hr. Inside, the RC-F gets an LFA-style adaptive dashboard featuring a central rev/speedometer dial, which changes colour and readout depending on which of the four driving modes is selected. And if all the planets align later this year, expect a 2015 BMW M4 Coupe versus 2015 Lexus RC-F comparo.

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