Lexus Continues to improve on their RC “Performance’ Model Tested: 2021 Lexus RC F Fuji Speedway Ed.

By William Jinkins

Pro: Excellent Road manners, supreme build quality

Con: Is it worth the cost of admission against its competitors?

What’s new: The RC F loses the Track Edition for the Limited production Fuji Speedway Edition

The Lexus RC F was unveiled in 2014 as ta replacement for the IS Coupe. The flagship RC F received a facelift in 2019. Under the hood was a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine that produced 472-hp and 535 Nm (395 lb.-ft ) of torque. Power was transmitted to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox with the help of a limited-slip differential. Standard features included the Adaptive Variable Suspension with F-specific tuning, Brembo brakes, and Sport Direct-Shift transmission with downshift rev-matching.

The base RC F was revised for 2020 and offered as a beefier Track Edition. The 5.0-liter V-8 under every 2020 RC F's hood gained five horsepower, for a total of 472, over that of the previous model. The same Aisin eight-speed automatic directs torque to the rear axle, where, in the Track Edition, it's shuttled to the tarmac via an aggressively tuned Torsen limited-slip differential. Standard RC F models were available with an optional torque-vectoring differential, but Tsurumoto-san preferred the directness of the gear-type differential in the Track Edition.

Track Edition models received a carbon-fiber hood, roof, and rear wing that Lexus claims will yield 58 pounds of downforce at 168 mph. And the front splitter, a precisely shaped thing sprouting canards off either side, uses a rubber spoiler attached to its underside to further smooth airflow beneath the car. Both models used the same springs, but the Track Edition offered more aggressively tuned adaptive dampers, which helped shape its more dramatic on-track personality.

Lexus asked $65,775 for the standard 2020 RC F and $97,675 for the Track Edition. That means the cost of the Track Edition's light weighting amounted to a not insubstantial $264 per pound, which seemed mighty expensive until that first fully committed slide right to the track's edge.

The Lexus RC F entered the 2021 model year with small equipment revisions as well as a new limited edition called the Fuji Speedway. The 2021 RC Fuji Speedway Edition – named after the famous Japanese track This model is slated to only produced just 60 examples, featuring “precisely engineered” upgrades to further boost its performance.

These include a set of Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, a titanium exhaust system, and an aggressive aero agenda made out of carbon fiber. Although Lexus doesn’t quote an exact figure, it claims that the Fuji Speedway edition is lighter than a standard 2021 RC F.

If I had had to take a guess, I’d would say that the weight savings should be similar to last year’s Track Edition, which had pretty much the same upgrades and weighed 176 lbs. less than the standard edition.

Things under the hood are left untouched, with the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 still producing 472 HP and 395 lb.-ft of torque and being paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Lexus claims a 0-60 mph in 3.96 seconds.

Exterior paint is limited to Arctic Blast Satin or Cloudburst Gray. My tester came in Cloudburst Gray. The Arctic Blast Satin is a white color with a semi-matte finish, with Lexus claiming “a beautiful satin luster like that of a true matte finish, yet is durable enough go through an automatic car wash”.

The interior features red leather-trimmed seats with Alcantara accents in addition to red carbon fiber trim. Each edition will be accompanied by a limited-production MSTR automatic movement watch that features RC F-inspired elements, including a gunmetal bezel, red stitching on its band, and ‘Fuji Speedway’ and ‘F’ logos.

For 2021, the standard Lexus RC F is getting Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, heated electrochromic exterior mirrors and a memory driver’s seat as standard. Also new is the addition of Android Auto on the standard infotainment system, which already included Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and other connected services.

The interior of the 2021 RC F is also upgraded with revised satin trim and a redesigned steering horn pad, while Lexus has also added the Intuitive Parking Assist system in the optional Premium Package.

Is the RC F Fiji Edition worth the price? Compared to the likes of the BMW M4 Competition, Audi RS5, or even the more apples to apples Infiniti Q60 Red Line 400 AWD, I’ll let you be the judge. Compared to the German brands all Lexus’ are known for their build quality.

My tester’s out the door price came out to a whopping $102,845, nearly the price for a LC 500 coupe. Base price was $97,100. The option list included Navigation System with Mark Levinson Premium sound system ($2,725) and Premium Triple Beam LED Headlamps ($1,160). Add to that designation charges of $1,025.

What New for 2022

Lexus just announced the 2022 RC F sports coupe refinements along with the limited RC Fuji Speedway Edition, featuring small updates over the previous model year.

The Fuji Speedway Edition will be limited to just 50 units for 2022, which is ten fewer cars compared to the 60 units produced in 2021. It will be exclusively available in the semi-matte Electric Surge exterior shade combined with the carbon-fiber bonnet, roof, and rear spoiler.

All 2022 RC F models also benefit from new designs for the 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in mixed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires (2 The Fuji Speedway Edition also gets carbon-ceramic brakes by Brembo and a titanium exhaust for reducing weight. Thanks to the upgrades, the special edition can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.96 seconds, over the 4.2 seconds needed for the regular RC F, while reaching a top speed of 168 mph. 55/35ZR19 front and 275/35ZR19 rear).

Inside there is black and blue Alcantara upholstery on the sport seats, blue carbon fiber details, Alcantara accents on the steering wheel, and shift knob, F branded scuff plates, and serialized badging.

In terms of technology, there’s a standard 10.3-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility, plus an optional 17-speaker, 835-watt Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio System. A cool feature is that the driver can start the engine remotely using a smartwatch.

For those who get the regular RC F, the Carbon Package brings several visual upgrades. It includes a roof, rear bumper, front spoiler, fin rocker, door lower molding, and retractable wing from carbon fiber, plus a matte black finish for the 19-inch wheels. The interior gets matching carbon-fiber trim, leather-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and the Intuitive Parking Assist system.

The 2022 Lexus RC F should arrive in dealerships in later September. Expect pricing to remain close to last year’s levels.