2021 Lexus RC F Track Edition track review

Welcome to the new series of MOTOR track reviews, where we’ll be testing all the latest and greatest (and maybe not so great) performance cars at the limit to see how they stack up.

First cab off the rank is the Lexus RC F Track Edition. A niche vehicle to start with, perhaps, but a ‘Track Edition’ seems appropriate and we wanted to sneak it in before Australia’s new side-impact regulations mean it has to be discontinued.

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The Track Edition essentially shaves a heap of weight from the RC F, a total of 65kg, courtesy of a carbon fibre bonnet, roof, front spoiler and rear diffuser, seat brace and wing.

Lightweight BBS alloy wheels and standard carbon-ceramic brakes – 380mm discs at both ends with six-piston front calipers and four-piston rears – shave another 25kg, while a titanium exhaust deletes another 6kg.

There are myriad other minor differences that reduce weight, such as a manually-adjustable steering column, no heating or ventilation for the seats and a fixed rear wing. The wing, along with carbon side fins and a front spoiler, helps to reduce lift and generate a small amount of downforce.

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As ever with the RC F, the highlight of the Track Edition is its wonderful naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine. Producing 351kW and 530Nm with a rev ceiling of 7500rpm, what it lacks in torque in comparison to its turbocharged competitors it makes up for with fantastic throttle response – once Sport+ is selected, as in Normal it can be quite doughy – and a searing soundtrack so sharp it’ll cut your ear drums.

A torque converter automatic isn’t usually the obvious choice for a track car but the RC F’s eight-speeder is at least pleasingly aggressive, with quick upshifts and responsive downshifts that zing the tacho around to its upper reaches.

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The Track Edition’s chassis enhancements might be fairly mild compared to the standard car, but they do work. Front end grip in particular is enhanced allowing more confidence when committing to a corner and an improved ability to rotate and adjust the car mid-turn.

Steering feedback is a little absent, especially around the straight ahead, but it’s accurate enough to place the front tyres where you need them and the ratio is nicely judged, not too quick nor too slow. What do provide great feedback are the carbon-ceramic brakes, as well as tireless stopping power.

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Grip levels are impressive, though semi-slick tyres such as a Michelin Cup 2 or Pirelli Trofeo R – appropriate for a Track Edition but perhaps a step too far for Lexus – would improve things further.

The Sport+ damping mode is extremely firm, the RC F hopping even on the relatively smooth Bryant Park surface, but a switch to Normal through the Custom mode (thus keeping the drivetrain in Sport) results in too much pitch, the nose lifting under throttle and increasing understeer.

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But what really makes the Track Edition enjoyable is its adjustability. Even with the ESP system in its Expert mode the car can display plenty of attitude and requires driver correction, but with it deactivated you can alter the balance at will using either the brakes or the throttle.

Once you’re used to its responses you can throw it around like a V8-powered Toyota 86, which isn’t necessarily the quickest way around a track but it is very enjoyable. This friendliness does pay dividends against the stop, though, as you feel confident to extract the RC F’s maximum.

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As we’ll see in subsequent tests, its best time of 1:06.8 isn’t groundbreaking, but it is pretty quick for such a heavy machine around a tight track. The Track Edition’s biggest shortcoming is its limited-slip diff, which isn’t tight enough and allows scrappy inside wheelspin in tighter corners.

The other problem with the Track Edition is that it’s no longer available. As of November 1, Australia’s new side impact regulations have consigned the Lexus RC – as well as the Nissan GT-R, Alpine A110 and others – to the history books, but it deserved an opportunity to shine as it’s a characterful, enjoyable V8 coupe that we’re going to miss.

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