The Lexus RC F Track Edition Is the Hardest-Core Lexus Since the LFA

2019 is shaping up to be quite a good year for Toyota enthusiasts. In addition to the much-publicized return of the Supra, Lexus fiddled with its RC F for the 2020 model year, giving it more power, refinement, and performance. As if that weren’t enough, the luxury brand decided to also launch this all-new RC F Track Edition, its hardest-core product since the LFA supercar.

Spoiler alert: The Track Edition has one. Awful joke aside, Lexus claims that, in addition to the 58 pounds of extra downforce it brings, the new fixed rear wing reduces drag when compared with the active spoiler on the regular coupe. Up front, a new carbon-fiber splitter adds a bit of downforce as well.

One of the most significant upgrades is weight—or the reducing thereof, as Lexus says the Track Edition is down 176 pounds compared to the regular RC F. Part of the savings comes from the extensive use of carbon-fiber components, many of which were created in the same facility developed for the LFA. Along with a carbon roof and hood, both the partition behind the rear seat and the bumper reinforcements are now carbon.

A huge chunk of weight was saved via the adoption of a Brembo-sourced carbon-ceramic brake system, marking the first time the RC F has ever been fitted with ceramic anchors. Combined with special lightweight 19-inch wheels inspired by those of the RC F GT3, the front end alone is down 55 pounds. This diet, when coupled with the RC F’s new launch control system, drops the zero-to-60-mph sprint to an impressive 3.9 seconds.

Underneath the fancy new hood is the refreshed 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V-8 found in less Track-y RC Fs, putting out 472 horsepower to the rear wheels. While the current RC F is hardly a shrinking violet, the Track Edition’s new standard titanium exhaust should even more heads.

Not much has been done to the interior, aside from fitting red leather and Alcantara upholstery, as well as carbon-fiber trim. The only available exterior colors are Ultra White and Matte Nebula Gray. Pricing, specifications, and availability are yet to be announced, but production is confirmed to begin in the second quarter of 2019.


































 

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