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Lexus has played it both ways in
recent years. It continues to roll out
all manner of pedestrian crossovers,
from the tiny, all-new UX hatch to the
updates made to its all-important RX
midsizer for the 2020 model year. But
while the SUVs pay the bills, we’re far
more interested in the Lexus cars with
skills—specifically its real-deal F cars.
The latest F model to get a massage
is the 2020 Lexus RC F, and
although the power of its 5.0-liter
naturally aspirated V-8 has been
bumped a smidge to 472 horses,
the big changes are in the aero,
construction material, and stopping
power departments. New to the RC F
lineup is the Track Edition. For some
$32,000 extra over the base RC F, you
get a car with multiple carbon-fiber
structural components, most notably
its fixed carbon-fiber rear wing, along
with upgrades such as Brembo carbon-
ceramic brakes, a titanium exhaust
system, and special BBS wheels. All
that lightening up (some 176 pounds)
helps drop the Track Edition’s 0-60
time a couple of ticks over the garden-
variety RC F to about 4 seconds flat.
It’s also the meanest, most aggressive-
looking Lexus since the LFA.
Senior editor Nelson Ireson had a
go in the Track Edition and had this
to say: “On track the power is ample,
and the rear is always ready to rotate
the nose toward the apex at turn-in,
a tendency that’s easier to modulate
this time around thanks to the almost
perfectly linear throttle mapping.”
What’s next for Lexus and F?
Rumors persist that an LC F is in
the pipeline. If one is indeed in
development, it would have to have
something else under the hood—
something like a 4.0-liter twin-turbo
V-8 pushing north of 600 horsepower.
As for the LC in general, Lexus
showcased a stunning convertible
concept earlier this year, and we’d be
shocked if a drop-top doesn’t get built
and sold as a 2021 LC convertible.
Given that the LC and RC are low-
volume coupes with low EPA numbers,
it’s hard to see both of them lasting
forever in the Lexus lineup. But as
long as they are, we’ll keep pining
away for the F versions. AMON SALE:
RC F Track Edition: Now
LC Convertible: Summer 2020 (est)
BASE PRICE:
RC F Track Edition: $97,675
LC Convertible: $102,000 (est)Lexus RC F Track Edition is carbon-ated
F That