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

The believed of paying out a week with a hyper-confined, observe-centered, distinctive-edition auto with a major, high-revving, normally aspirated V8 is quite damn thrilling. That’s the things that car enthusiasts dream about, correct? Regrettably, fact almost never lives up to our desires, and that is unquestionably the circumstance with the 2021 Lexus RC F Fuji Speedway Version.

On paper, the RC F Fuji edition would seem terrific. It’s acquired tons of carbon fiber, carbon-ceramic brakes and the five.-liter 2UR-GSE V8 you’ll obtain in overall performance automobiles like the Lexus LC 500, the beloved IS F and the new IS 500. That motor provides a respectable 472 horsepower at seven,100 rpm and 395 pound-toes of torque at four,800 rpm, but it can be in this article that the RC F’s bummers start out.

This motor unquestionably does scream in its upper registers, as evidenced by the revs at which it tends to make peak electricity. It’s in this article wherever the V8 is thrilling and responsive and alive. Regrettably, in the decrease element of its rev variety, the five.-liter V8 runs on the Atkinson cycle, the identical performance-centered cycle that Toyota uses in its hybrids. This means the valve timing modifications to target on gas performance at the cost of electricity, torque and responsiveness.

On paper, having a more effective car at all around-city speeds appears fantastic, but in fact, it tends to make a observe-centered beast like the RC F truly feel lifeless and unexciting. If this were something but a flagship sporting activities product, I might be much less crucial, but in a car like this, with a major carbon wing, hyper-intense styling and a sizable price tag, it feels like a large misstep. I want my major, normally aspirated V8 to kick ass all the time, and this a single doesn’t.

That V8 is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. In contrast to the motor, the transmission functions properly in city but lets the driver down on fantastic canyon streets. It shifts slower than some of the ZF 8-speed ‘boxes I’ve experienced and, yet again, in a observe-centered car, it should not be this way. At the very least this transmission is paired with a locking rear differential that functions as marketed and is a welcome addition in the RC F.

The RC F Fuji’s suspension is a different space that need to be outstanding purely centered on its specs but doesn’t dwell up to the hype. The entrance double-wishbone suspension options adaptive Sachs dampers and a hollow entrance sway bar. The rear uses a multi-hyperlink layout. The total set up is particularly rigid and uncomfortable all around city nonetheless it doesn’t do a excellent occupation of managing the RC F in high-speed driving. More, I obtain it tough to believe in the car to keep planted as it moves all around on fast canyon streets mainly because it never ever feels truly settled. The RC F’s vague digital electricity steering also does a weak occupation of giving driver comments, adding to that general lack of assurance on the road.

Arguably the greatest issue about the Fuji is its set of fourteen.9-inch Brembo carbon ceramic brakes. The RC F is a heavy car with a curb bodyweight of 3,781 lbs (121 lbs lighter than the regular RC F), and with approximately 500 hp on tap, these unflappable brakes are a welcome addition for repeatable, assurance-inspiring halting. Coupled with the moderately sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, the RC F’s general grip is fantastic, in spite of the concerns I have with the suspension.

The RC F’s cabin is a sea of leather, Alcantara, carbon fiber and buttons. At 6 toes, four inches, I am admittedly taller than most motorists, but I battle to get snug in any posture. The seats are lovely and probably extremely supportive for smaller sized motorists, but just after an hour in the canyons, I truly feel like they have been boxing my kidneys, and it can be not enjoyable. Headroom also could be far better, contemplating the lack of a moonroof in the carbon-roof-outfitted Fuji. The BMW M4 features more area for heads (and helmets), but at the very least the RC F has plenty of legroom. The total cabin is exquisitely designed with terrific supplies, at the very least — a hallmark of Lexus products and solutions.

The RC F lacks blind-location monitoring (thanks to its carbon fiber aspect mirrors) and rear cross-targeted visitors notify, but at the very least comes with adaptive cruise management, automatic crisis braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning and the like. But although the safety suite is only Alright, the infotainment process is quite terrible. The RC F doesn’t have a touchscreen, but thankfully Apple CarPlay and Android Automobile are regular, and my test auto is outfitted with the optional Mark Levinson audio bundle — a obligatory insert for any Lexus, as far as I am concerned. The Lexus Enform process is problematic due to its clunky interface and laggy response, not to mention the finicky trackpad which is really hard to use although driving.

The RC F Fuji Speedway Version has a starting price of $98,275, together with Lexus’ $1,075 desired destination fee. That’s a more-than-$30,000 top quality above the regular RC F, so what, other than exclusivity and carbon ceramic brakes, is Lexus supplying purchasers for that cash? The major aesthetic variances are the carbon fiber hood, rear wing, roof, entrance lip and aspect skirts, as properly as crimson leather and Alcantara inside with carbon trim. You will find also a titanium exhaust process, solid BBS wheels and the aforementioned torque-vectoring rear end.

But is it well worth it? In small, no. The RC F Fuji Speedway Version is not a extremely fantastic car on general public streets and it can be not entertaining on winding stretches of canyon streets, possibly. It may well be fantastic on a race observe as its identify would indicate (nevertheless I are not able to validate that), but with its punishing trip, cramped inside and disappointing drivetrain, I are not able to think about selecting this above any other sporting activities car at this price. For the $102,510 as-tested price of this RC F, I might alternatively have a foundation Porsche 911, which is equally a far better sporting activities car and a considerably more livable every day driver. 

For 2022, Lexus determined to lengthen the Fuji Speedway Version by an further 50 models. The company also added a new coloration — a charming blue referred to as Electric Surge — and gave the Fuji a new set of 19-inch wheels. Regrettably, these updates do very little to enhance the attraction of this tremendous really hard market.