Lexus RC F News

The Toyota-owned Lexus brand has given the motoring world some truly desirable sports cars, and even a legendary supercar.Yamaha-tuned naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engines have graced the engine bays of sedans, coupes and tourers, and a similarly developed 4.8-litre V10 found under the long bonnet of the Lexus LFA supercar is often cited as one of the world's best-sounding.More accessible, the still-available (for now) Lexus LC500 sounds like a NASCAR on the limiter, and the back-to-basics dynamics of cars like the relatively recent RC F were a far cry from the ‘retirement-spec’ Lexus SUVs that make up the bulk of the brand’s sales (and, at times, image).At the Australian launch of the updated 2026 Lexus RZ electric SUV, CarsGuide asked the brand’s local top brass where the next desirable halo model is coming from.Lexus Australia Chief Executive Jack Hobbs said, for now, the F Sport models available in the line-up and cars like the LBX Morizo have enough pep to fill customer demand for performance.“Certainly you know we'd love to have those sorts of products in our suite,” he told CarsGuide.“At the same time I think we've got enough offerings through the F Sport grades across the model range, and offerings like the LBX Morizo to, I guess, extend the range enough at this point in time.”While Lexus doesn’t quite have a high-performance aspirational model like the LFA - not even the limited-run RZ 600e F Sport Performance seems to fit the bill - the Lexus LFA Concept unveiled in stages as the Lexus Sport Concept in 2025 is starting to become more concrete.It’s just that it’s a battery electric vehicle.Strategic Communications Manager Nam Luong added some context around what the brand sees as its future direction, focussing on mobility and luxury rather than outright performance.“Yes, I think what you saw at the Japan Mobility Show in the Discover concepts, what we're looking at is broadening the expansion of the model range to encompass multiple forms of mobility, in terms of land, sea and air.”Other concepts that joined the LFA under the ‘Discover’ banner included a high-end people mover, the LS Concept, and a high-riding LS Coupe Concept sedan. Autonomous personal pods and even water-faring luxury yachts are part of the vision.“From a land perspective, the LFA concept has a role to play from that performance point of view, but what we're trying to identify is, well, how do we create a Lexus experience ecosystem beyond just the land element, seeing where and what Lexus Australia can continue to deliver on is also ‘what is that lifestyle experience’ that we can provide to our customers as well.”

Just as European, Chinese and American carmakers hurry to downsize engines, consolidate models and electrify everything, Japan looks set for a combustion-engined sports car resurgence. 

Lexus Australia has released pricing and specifications for the new RC F Track Edition, as well as the updated RC F, which will be in Lexus dealers in May.Based on the standard RC facelift, which is already on sale in Australia, the RC F is priced from $134,129 plus on-road costs (-$3,600), while the RC F Track Edition is priced from $165,690. The RC F has faced a number of revisions to make it more comfortable, yet sharper to drive according to Lexus. Improved aerodynamics with greater downforce aids handling, while lighter suspension components, firmer steering control, a freer-breathing and lighter engine, as well as a more intuitive transmission and grippier tyres make the RC F even quicker than before.Like the pre-update RC F, the 2019 model uses the company’s 351kW/530Nm 5.0-litre petrol V8 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine has been revised for 2019 with a lighter intake and new intake piping and meets Euro 6 emissions standards. As before, power is sent to the rear wheels.The car’s revised styling helps its aerodynamics, while new LED headlights and a wider grille “further emphasise the car’s wide stance”, according to Lexus.New for the 2019 model year is the track-honed RC F Track Edition, which includes a number of parts to provide superior agility and most importantly for the company, superior track driving handling and lower lap times. The RC F Track Edition includes Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes (380mm front and rear) with 19-inch BBS alloy wheels to reduce weight by 25kg. A titanium exhaust further reduces the weight of the car by 6.0kg, while increasing the engine’s noise as well.A carbon-fibre roof, rear diffuser, lower rocker panel, front spoiler, rear wing and rear-seat brace help shed another 65kg of weight, with a kerb weight of 1,715kg. Lexus claims the RC F Track Edition hits 100km/h in 4.3 seconds, and points out that it is the quickest Lexus since the LF-A.2019 Lexus RC pricing (MSRP): RC F: $134,129RC F Track Edition: $165,690Options (RC F):Enhancement Pack 1 (19-inch polished alloy wheels, sunroof): $5,000Enhancement Pack 2 (19-inch dark alloy wheels, sunroof): $5,000Enhancement Pack 3 (19-inch BBS alloy wheels, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, titanium exhaust, carbon fibre cabin ornamentation, sunroof): $29,161

A new and more hardcore version of the Lexus RC F is on the way, with the Japanese brand teasing a new Track Edition thats set for a Detroit Auto Show debut.

Lexus Australia has closed the styling gap between the RC coupe and its more dynamic sibling, the LC, with subtle upgrades to the RC to bring the design elements of the two cars closer.

Lexus has revealed its facelifted RC sportscar ahead of its public debut at the Paris motor show in October.

Lexus Australia is set to release limited-edition versions of its RC F coupe and GS F sedan next month, marking the 10th anniversary of the Japanese brand's F Line moniker.

RC200t variants have been renamed to RC300 – the new nomenclature for their 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine.

Another week, another high-powered V8 joins a highway patrol unit, ostensibly to help keep our roads safer.

Lexus Australia is on the verge of deciding whether to plunge headfirst into motorsport or to withdraw from racing entirely.