2015 Lexus RC F Sport
#47
Lexus Champion
#49
I'm mostly super-pumped about the RC F-Sport and for the time being, this is the car I'm saving up for to eventually replace my 2IS!
Love:
- driving dynamics, esp adaptive suspension
- that beautiful red interior with subtle carbon accents
- sweet 19" dual layered-spoke wheels (though they'd be a PITA to detail!)
- that a possible prototype has been spotted in USB - that's what I'd wish for!
Other comments:
I hear you, BUT ... the industry is moving away from 6s and 8s to hit fuel economy targets ... Much as I hope I'm wrong, I wouldn't be surprised to see Lexus start to replace the 6s with turbo 4s and so I wouldn't be surprised if they're not devoting much effort into evolving our engines. I for one am satisfied we still have a 6 to enjoy vs a turbo 4 a la BMW.
I'm with you on those grill holes. I had to look three times to see if I was imagining it. I keep thinking "no, it can't be". Fingers crossed that they fix that mess - without it, that grill is a work of art so it would be a shame to mess it up.
Love:
- driving dynamics, esp adaptive suspension
- that beautiful red interior with subtle carbon accents
- sweet 19" dual layered-spoke wheels (though they'd be a PITA to detail!)
- that a possible prototype has been spotted in USB - that's what I'd wish for!
Other comments:
Love it. Really nicely done, and the technology sounds great.
Personally, I would probably hold off on buying this car until Lexus decides to drop in a new engine. The 2GR-FSE is great, but at this point, it really does need an update. To me, 306hp is fine for a sedan like IS or GS, but in a sports coupe like this, I really would want the extra 30-40hp that I hope come with the next generation V6.
Personally, I would probably hold off on buying this car until Lexus decides to drop in a new engine. The 2GR-FSE is great, but at this point, it really does need an update. To me, 306hp is fine for a sedan like IS or GS, but in a sports coupe like this, I really would want the extra 30-40hp that I hope come with the next generation V6.
I like almost everything about it. Not crazy, however, about the vents in the bottom of the grill. They don't look finished, but rather like they just took some snips and cut the grill away.
I really like the material used on the center console. It looks like it has a matte or textured finish, rather than the somewhat shiny and easily scratched material in my 3IS.
I want one!
I really like the material used on the center console. It looks like it has a matte or textured finish, rather than the somewhat shiny and easily scratched material in my 3IS.
I want one!
#50
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: tx
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No mention of a LSD is a big letdown. It would definitely be a feature that helps justify the cost increase over the IS.
I'm not sure where they're going with this F sport model. The only performance upgrades seem to be the gimmicky rear wheel steering and the pictures show 2-piece front rotors. I get that people buy the IS F-Sport based on looks hence the need for electronically adjustable suspension so no one complains about the ride, but for the RC the only exterior differences are the grill, wheels and fender badges. I wish they would ditch all the extra weight and cost of all the electronic gadgets like VGRS, AVS, LDH etc. and just put on a well sorted sport suspension with nice monotube bilsteins.
I'm not sure where they're going with this F sport model. The only performance upgrades seem to be the gimmicky rear wheel steering and the pictures show 2-piece front rotors. I get that people buy the IS F-Sport based on looks hence the need for electronically adjustable suspension so no one complains about the ride, but for the RC the only exterior differences are the grill, wheels and fender badges. I wish they would ditch all the extra weight and cost of all the electronic gadgets like VGRS, AVS, LDH etc. and just put on a well sorted sport suspension with nice monotube bilsteins.
#51
Lexus Champion
Wow first car in a long time that I really actually want. Only thing I despise about it is those fake vents on the rear bumper. WTF is this horrid trend of putting vents there?
#52
^ it's funny, I remember when I saw the new grilles at the autoshow a couple years ago, I thought Lexus is really off its rocker! I thought it was a huge mistake and would really impact sales. But it's funny how things can grow on you after a while ... Who knows, it might be the same story with these fins!
#53
Pole Position
No mention of a LSD is a big letdown. It would definitely be a feature that helps justify the cost increase over the IS.
I'm not sure where they're going with this F sport model. The only performance upgrades seem to be the gimmicky rear wheel steering and the pictures show 2-piece front rotors. I get that people buy the IS F-Sport based on looks hence the need for electronically adjustable suspension so no one complains about the ride, but for the RC the only exterior differences are the grill, wheels and fender badges. I wish they would ditch all the extra weight and cost of all the electronic gadgets like VGRS, AVS, LDH etc. and just put on a well sorted sport suspension with nice monotube bilsteins.
I'm not sure where they're going with this F sport model. The only performance upgrades seem to be the gimmicky rear wheel steering and the pictures show 2-piece front rotors. I get that people buy the IS F-Sport based on looks hence the need for electronically adjustable suspension so no one complains about the ride, but for the RC the only exterior differences are the grill, wheels and fender badges. I wish they would ditch all the extra weight and cost of all the electronic gadgets like VGRS, AVS, LDH etc. and just put on a well sorted sport suspension with nice monotube bilsteins.
Lexus right now has the well-sorted suspension nailed with BMW playing catchup.
Don't knock these "gimmicks" till you try it.
We are luxury car buyers. We want our cake and eat it as well. That means smooth supple ride when we want it and firm sporty ride with minimal body roll at other times. All these "gimmicks" serve to satisfy that duality in our automotive tastes.
OTOH What you want seems to be a harder more track focussed car with minimal daily driver utility. In that case, you may be looking at the wrong segment of cars. A GTR/Porsche Turbo segment may fit you better.
Last edited by natnut; 03-01-14 at 12:31 AM.
#54
Lexus Champion
^ it's funny, I remember when I saw the new grilles at the autoshow a couple years ago, I thought Lexus is really off its rocker! I thought it was a huge mistake and would really impact sales. But it's funny how things can grow on you after a while ... Who knows, it might be the same story with these fins!
I mean seriously WTF.
#55
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: tx
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would have just liked to have seen the RC have gone the way Cadillac has with the ATS and new CTS and improved handling by cutting weight. Aluminum hood and trunk maybe?
I'm not looking for a hard core track car, just a proper sports package. It just seems like most manufacturers are going the way BMW does where if you want the performance model you have to get 400+ hp and pay $65k+ for the M3. I'm not into buying a 335i for $50k and then buying $10k in M-Performance parts to get it where I want it. I also own a WRX and feel that for an extra $20k I should be able to get similar driving performance and enjoyment with more sound deadening and a nice interior. I guess I'll have to wait and test drive.
#56
Lexus Champion
That's exactly why I think it's "gimmicky", they're trying to make a 3700-3800 lb car feel like it weighs a couple hundred pounds less than it does. The systems obviously work up to say 8/10ths but at some point you're going to feel all that weight moving around. I've test driven a GS F-Sport and I could definitely sense the greater heft it has over my older 3 series. I would have just liked to have seen the RC have gone the way Cadillac has with the ATS and new CTS and improved handling by cutting weight. Aluminum hood and trunk maybe? I'm not looking for a hard core track car, just a proper sports package. It just seems like most manufacturers are going the way BMW does where if you want the performance model you have to get 400+ hp and pay $65k+ for the M3. I'm not into buying a 335i for $50k and then buying $10k in M-Performance parts to get it where I want it. I also own a WRX and feel that for an extra $20k I should be able to get similar driving performance and enjoyment with more sound deadening and a nice interior. I guess I'll have to wait and test drive.
#57
Lexus Champion
Well, I noticed it has cooled as well as heated seats, which the IS F Sport doesn't have, so that's a step in the right direction.
Last edited by dseag2; 03-01-14 at 08:05 PM.
#58
The luxury package of my 2008 IS250 has heated and cooled seats. Starting with our 2009 model year, due to financial crisis, many automakers attempted to reduce prices on their vehicles and accomplished this in part by reducing equipment. Part of the reason I didn't want to go with a 2009+ model - those cooled seats are awesome in the summer!
#59
And of course, IS F-Sport Premium is the most expensive IS on the market in Europe, unlike in the US where you basically exchange options from Luxury to get IS F-Sport at the same price.
#60
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Alberta
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
" .... unlike in the US where you basically exchange options from Luxury to get IS F-Sport at the same price."
I sure hope Lexus packages the RC better than they did the IS in North America.
I sure hope Lexus packages the RC better than they did the IS in North America.