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2020 Lexus RC F made for town and track

Track Editions are a popular thing right now for muscle cars, and the trend is growing -- right into the lux coupe segment. Lexus is joining the club with its 2020 RC F, which will be available in both regular and track flavors. Acceleration junkies can look forward to the RC F's new launch control feature, which delivers 0 to 60 mph in 3.96 sec in the limited-availability Track version.

Although not a full redesign, the Lexus engineers for the RC F say they increased its performance envelope without sacrificing day-to-day drivability. This is still a luxe auto, after all. At the same time, the design team incorporated elements from both the RC F GT3 and RC F GT500 race cars to "improve the RC F's aerodynamics and resculpt its aggressive lines."

The RC F has a unique sound and feel, mainly due to its naturally aspirated 5-liter V8. Now rated at 472 hp (+5 from the previous model) at 7,100 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque (+6) at 4,800 rpm, the V8 is a core element of the RC F's personality.

In order to give the Track Edition a more exclusive look on the inside, the interior comes standard with Circuit Red leather-trimmed seats with Alcantara accents. The soft Alcantara trim is also used on the center console and armrests. Red carbon trim on the doors and dashboard is also exclusive to the Track Edition along with red carpeting.

Standard RC F models are available in six colors: Ultra White, Atomic Silver, Caviar, Infrared, Flare Yellow and Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0. Only two exterior colors will be available for Track: Ultra White and Matte Nebula Gray, an exclusive color only available on the Track Edition.

For the ultimate in standing-start acceleration, the RC F now includes electronic launch control as standard. This feature delivers an estimated 0 to 60-mph time of just 4.2 sec on the standard model and 3.96 sec on the Track Edition. With a push of the button on the console, the system automatically adjusts the traction and throttle control for maximum acceleration from a stop. All the driver has to do is press and hold the brake pedal, engage the system, floor the accelerator to bring up the engine speed, and release the brake.

Why the difference in standard vs. Track Edition times? It pretty much all comes down to lightweighting. With a total curb weight of 3,781 lb, the 2020 Track Edition weighs 176 lb less than the previous-model RC F.

One of the first targets for the engineering team was reducing weight without compromising the coupe's sense of refinement and solidity. A more specific objective was to take weight out of the car at its extremes, as even the most modest changes at the front and rear of the car result in significant reductions in rotational inertia. Numerous components under the hood were scrutinized for weight reduction before the engineers chose the intake manifold as one key focus, given its location at the top of the engine. An updated machining process was developed that removes 700 grams (g) of excess aluminum on the underside of the manifold without altering its airflow characteristics.

Other weight-saving measures under the hood include the use of a smaller compressor for the air conditioning system and newly designed aluminum spring support brackets that save an additional 700 g of weight compared to the previous steel part. In order the construct the two-piece bracket, a TOX connection is used to join the two aluminum sections, a process that produces a tight joint without applying heat. TOX fittings have previously been used to join aluminum body parts, but this is the first time Lexus has used the joining technology on a suspension component.

At the rear, a redesigned bumper reinforcement was developed that combines carbon fiber and aluminum to produce an equally strong, yet lighter (-500 g) support piece. By bonding the carbon fiber to the extruded aluminum structure, the overall yield stress is increased while at the same time allowing the use of thinner aluminum. The carbon fiber section is produced in-house on the same production line used for the LFA supercar. Additional weight at the rear was taken out through the use of hollow half shafts in place of the previous solid shafts, which shaves another 4 lb with no reduction in shaft strength.

Every RC F Track Edition comes standard with Brembo carbon ceramic brake rotors and six-piston Brembo calipers. The rotors are significantly lighter than their steel counterparts, contributing to a 48.5-lb total reduction in unsprung weight.

Additional weight reduction was achieved with the switch to a set of ultra-lightweight 19-in. BBS forged alloy wheels. They feature a design derived from the RC F GT3 race car with a matte black finish and bright machined lip. A milling process is used to create the complex shape of the wheel spokes that helps to reduce the overall weight of each wheel by 1.5 lb compared to the standard wheels. A standard titanium muffler and connector pipes is yet another area where the Track Edition sheds weight.

Another weight-saving measure: All Track Edition models come standard with a carbon fiber roof and hood, along with switching to a carbon fiber partition behind the rear seats.

Design-wise, the changes to the RC F from the previous model are mostly small race-inpired tweaks. Up front, the revised air intakes on each side are larger and are designed to funnel more air to the oil coolers than before. Along the side, a new concave design at the end of the rocker panel not only adds a new character line, it helps smooth airflow past the rear tires, while extended side splitters are designed to enhance high-speed stability.

Visual changes include newly optional LED headlights shared with the LC coupe and integrated daytime running lights that together provide excellent visibility along with a memorable light signature. The shape of the RC F's grille has been altered by adding a lower lip opening that stretches across the bottom to create a visually shorter front fascia. At the rear of the car, new taillights integrate neatly into a reshaped bumper to give the RC F a cleaner, more chiseled appearance.

Aerodynamics for the track
Another key area of improvement unique to the RC F Track Edition is its aerodynamic signature. A variety of changes were instituted aimed at delivering both a nimbler feel and improved predictability during aggressive driving. To achieve these goals, the engineering team focused on reducing lift at the front and rear of the car as well as managing the air moving around the car to improve stability and reduce drag.

Up front, the carbon fiber front splitter uses two different methods for reducing the coefficient of lift (CL). Canards at each corner generate small air vortexes as the air passes around them. These vortexes create low-pressure areas that together reduce the CL by 0.009. Across the front, a small lip spoiler is used at the bottom of the splitter that guides the air more smoothly underneath the car, which reduces the CL by an additional 0.021.

At the rear of the car, all Track Edition models come with a fixed rear wing made from carbon fiber in place of the active spoiler offered on the standard RC F. The fixed wing is not only lighter than the active spoiler, it does double duty by simultaneously reducing both the coefficient of lift and drag. It reduces lift through the use of a wing shape that is concave on the top and convex on the bottom. The shape of these surfaces slows down the air over the top of the wing to increase pressure and speed up the air underneath the wing to decrease pressure.

The result is a CL reduction of 0.034 compared to the active spoiler, or up to 58 lb of downforce. At the same time, the shape of the wing smooths out the air over the back of the car which results in a 2 percent reduction in drag.

Sadly, the top speed is limited to 168 mph.

Both the 2020 Lexus RC F and the RC F Track Edition have started production and will be available at dealers soon. Pricing for the 2020 RC F starts at $64,750. The 2020 RC F Track Edition starts at $96,650. Learn more here.

Source: Lexus/Toyota Motor Sales

Published April 2019

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