2021 Lexus RC F Fuji Speedway Edition review: Exclusive doesn’t always mean good

The assumed of spending a 7 days with a hyper-minimal, track-focused, unique-edition vehicle with a big, significant-revving, obviously aspirated V8 is pretty damn exciting. That’s the stuff that motor vehicle lovers aspiration about, appropriate? Regrettably, truth not often life up to our desires, and that is absolutely the circumstance with the 2021 Lexus RC F Fuji Speedway Version.

On paper, the RC F Fuji edition appears to be great. It’s acquired tons of carbon fiber, carbon-ceramic brakes and the 5.-liter 2UR-GSE V8 you’ll discover in overall performance vehicles like the Lexus LC 500, the beloved IS F and the new IS 500. That engine generates a respectable 472 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 395 pound-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm, but it is here that the RC F’s bummers start off.

This motor absolutely does scream in its upper registers, as evidenced by the revs at which it tends to make peak ability. It is below exactly where the V8 is remarkable and responsive and alive. However, in the reduced part of its rev assortment, the 5.-liter V8 operates on the Atkinson cycle, the exact efficiency-centered cycle that Toyota uses in its hybrids. This means the valve timing variations to target on fuel effectiveness at the expense of ability, torque and responsiveness.

On paper, owning a additional efficient motor vehicle at all-around-city speeds seems great, but in fact, it would make a monitor-focused beast like the RC F really feel dead and unexciting. If this were being nearly anything but a flagship sporting activities model, I would be significantly less important, but in a motor vehicle like this, with a massive carbon wing, hyper-intense styling and a sizable cost tag, it feels like a large misstep. I want my large, by natural means aspirated V8 to kick ass all the time, and this one will not.

That V8 is paired with an eight-pace computerized transmission. Unlike the engine, the transmission works properly in city but lets the driver down on good canyon streets. It shifts slower than some of the ZF 8-pace ‘boxes I have professional and, yet again, in a observe-targeted vehicle, it should not be this way. At minimum this transmission is paired with a locking rear differential that is effective as advertised and is a welcome addition in the RC F.

The RC F Fuji’s suspension is one more location that ought to be spectacular purely based on its specs but does not stay up to the hoopla. The entrance double-wishbone suspension options adaptive Sachs dampers and a hollow entrance sway bar. The rear works by using a multi-url layout. The total setup is particularly rigid and disagreeable all over town but it doesn’t do a excellent work of managing the RC F in significant-velocity driving. Further more, I discover it hard to have confidence in the automobile to continue to be planted as it moves about on fast canyon streets because it hardly ever feels definitely settled. The RC F’s imprecise digital electric power steering also does a bad work of delivering driver feed-back, adding to that overall absence of self esteem on the road.

Arguably the greatest detail about the Fuji is its established of 14.9-inch Brembo carbon ceramic brakes. The RC F is a large auto with a suppress body weight of 3,781 lbs . (121 pounds lighter than the normal RC F), and with approximately 500 hp on faucet, these unflappable brakes are a welcome addition for repeatable, self esteem-inspiring halting. Coupled with the reasonably sticky Michelin Pilot Activity 4S tires, the RC F’s in general grip is fantastic, regardless of the issues I have with the suspension.

The RC F’s cabin is a sea of leather, Alcantara, carbon fiber and buttons. At 6 feet, 4 inches, I’m admittedly taller than most motorists, but I wrestle to get snug in any position. The seats are gorgeous and probably extremely supportive for scaled-down motorists, but after an hour in the canyons, I come to feel like they have been boxing my kidneys, and it’s not fun. Headroom also could be much better, thinking of the deficiency of a moonroof in the carbon-roof-geared up Fuji. The BMW M4 delivers additional space for heads (and helmets), but at the very least the RC F has a good deal of legroom. The entire cabin is exquisitely designed with great resources, at the very least — a hallmark of Lexus products and solutions.

The RC F lacks blind-spot checking (many thanks to its carbon fiber aspect mirrors) and rear cross-targeted visitors notify, but at the very least comes with adaptive cruise command, automatic emergency braking, computerized higher beams, lane-departure warning and the like. But although the basic safety suite is only Alright, the infotainment process is quite lousy. The RC F won’t have a touchscreen, but thankfully Apple CarPlay and Android Car are standard, and my check vehicle is equipped with the optional Mark Levinson audio package — a required insert for any Lexus, as significantly as I’m anxious. The Lexus Enform technique is problematic thanks to its clunky interface and laggy response, not to mention the finicky trackpad which is tough to use even though driving.

The RC F Fuji Speedway Edition has a setting up cost of $98,275, which includes Lexus’ $1,075 location price. That’s a additional-than-$30,000 quality over the normal RC F, so what, other than exclusivity and carbon ceramic brakes, is Lexus supplying purchasers for that dollars? The major aesthetic distinctions are the carbon fiber hood, rear wing, roof, front lip and side skirts, as nicely as crimson leather-based and Alcantara inside with carbon trim. You will find also a titanium exhaust technique, solid BBS wheels and the aforementioned torque-vectoring rear conclude.

But is it truly worth it? In quick, no. The RC F Fuji Speedway Version is not a incredibly very good vehicle on public roads and it really is not entertaining on winding stretches of canyon roadways, either. It might be superior on a race observe as its title would suggest (though I won’t be able to ensure that), but with its punishing journey, cramped interior and disappointing drivetrain, I are unable to consider buying this around any other sports activities motor vehicle at this price tag. For the $102,510 as-tested value of this RC F, I might somewhat have a base Porsche 911, which is each a greater sports activities automobile and a much far more livable day-to-day driver. 

For 2022, Lexus decided to increase the Fuji Speedway Version by an added 50 units. The corporation also included a new shade — a pretty blue termed Electric powered Surge — and gave the Fuji a new set of 19-inch wheels. Sad to say, these updates do absolutely nothing to improve the attractiveness of this super tough promote.