First Drive | 2015 Lexus RC F

Well Balanced, But Not Boring

lexus-rc-f-first-drive-2014-147-004Nearly every vehicle that automotive journalists have praised as being “well-balanced” is underpowered. While many praised the Acura NSX on its introduction, I drove it and was thoroughly disappointed by its lack of power. It handled nice and had decent brakes for its time, but its acceleration was tepid. On the other extreme, the original Dodge Viper had plenty of power, but it handled about as well as a 1967 Corvette on bias-ply tires.

 

lexus-rc-f-first-drive-2014-147-007The 2015 Lexus RC F does everything very well. Its handling and brakes are exceptional while its acceleration is adequate. The RC-F’s claimed 0-60-second time of 4.4 seconds and 12.5-second quarter-mile performance puts it ahead of the STI, EVO X and 370Z and in the company of the euro competitors like the M4 (which is priced in the same realm).

Being a Lexus and not a BMW, there’s probably going to be a lot less time spent with the “Service Engine Light” on compared to the BMW. In fact, the only service done to the RC F’s that were being beaten on by hordes of journalists day after day were daily tire changes and an occasional brake pad replacement (thanks to the journalists that drive with a foot on each pedal).

 

Techno & Options

While the Lexus RC F starts around $62K, there are enough factory options available to push that figure up another $15K. For the performance minded, a carbon-fiber roof, carbon-fiber rear active spoiler and a torque vectoring differential make up an optional $5,500 performance package.

However, the performance package requires a $4,400 premium package (heated/ventilated seats, active rear spoiler, carbon interior trim, blind spot monitor, etc.). From a performance standpoint, we would prefer if you didn’t have to add a premium package to add performance. Navigation with the top-of-the-line 835-watt Mark Levinson Dolby 7.1 premium surround system adds another $2,840.

Since we have never seen a base model Lexus at any Southern California Lexus dealer, we’d expect most of the RC F’s hitting dealerships to be well optioned. The 2015 Lexus RC F will show up at dealerships in late October or early November, but expect them to be of the $70K and up trim levels.

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The Bottom Line

Lexus is banking on selling 2,000 to 2,500 RC Fs in the first year. Hopefully, the RC F will attract a younger buyer to the Lexus brand while establishing a halo vehicle that people will actually see on the road. The capabilities and performance of the RC F should do well to invigorate sales of the RC 350 and RC 350 F-Sport, which launch at nearly the same time. With Lexus planning GT3 versions of the RC F, there is definitely a push to make Lexus a brand more synonymous with performance.