Lexus clearly isn’t just paying lip service to the idea that it’s reinventing itself consistently as a top shelf luxury performance manufacturer.
Case in point? The new RC F coupe that made its debut this week at the 2014 North American International Auto Show this week. Even when one exciting car fades from its lineup (the late IS-F), another one comes along to take its place and surpass its performance.
The RC F is already the most powerful V8 performance car ever developed by Lexus, producing 450 horsepower. It’s 0-60 time isn’t released yet, but Lexus is confident it will outstrip ye olde IS F. Lexus will limit the top speed (because the world is full of witless turnips who can’t handle a car properly), so we’ll just have to settle for about 165 mph with toes down.
Its very aggressive exterior styling dismisses echoes of the IS-F in favor of cues from the $400,000 Lexus halo car – the LFA. The car could suck up an entire litter of kittens into one of its front grill engine air take scoops with but a single gulp.
The interior favors the sporty cockpit look over the more stodgy, grand touring feel of past Lexus models. In a loud statement of breaking with tradition, the RC F will abandon the steering wheel made of wood, bamboo, angels knickers or whatever comfort obsessed drivers want and will use an elliptical cross-section, thick-grip steering wheel.
I’ll have more on the RC F once I enjoy the eagerly awaited opportunity to drive it. For now, it looks like this will be an outstanding addition to the ever-evolving Lexus line. I liked the IS F a great deal and found it a worthy challenger to BMW and Mercedes-Benz. If the IS mix of luxury, technology and raw power had to drive into the sunset, it’s good to see a fresh, angry face stepping up into its place.
