Built on a chassis related to the IS, the RC (“Radical Coupe” in Lexus-talk) comes in a few different levels of spice, with the hottest being the RC F–excluding the Track Edition, of course.
Whereas the more pedestrian versions of the RC come powered by a V6 good for upwards of 311 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft of torque, the RC F adds two more cylinders to the equation, bringing that power output to 472 horsepower and 395 lb.-ft. of torque.
On paper, the RC F sounds potent, but what is it like in the real world? Keep reading to find out.
If I were the speculative type, I'd say the reason why Toyota didn't re-badge the RC as a Supra is because they figured that the new car had to have an inline-six under the hood.
As much (unwarranted) flak as the Supra got at launch from message boards the world over, I'd bet it would have been just as bad–if not worse–had the car been powered by a V6 or a V8.
The reason the A80 Supra was wildly popular (aside from its timeless shape) is because it had a bulletproof Toyota drivetrain. The drivetrain in the current Supra is neither. If I wanted the maintenance nightmare associated with BMWs TTI6, I'll get a 135 and at least have a cheaper initial buy in.
In reply to calteg :
Along those lines, interesting that neither the Supra nor 86 have Toyota engines.
David S. Wallens said:
In reply to calteg :
Along those lines, interesting that neither the Supra nor 86 have Toyota engines.
Not interesting, sad. Strange to me that a culture where honor is such a big deal, doesn't frown upon jobbing out your flagship sportscar. Imagine for a moment what it would be like if the new vette or mustang was a rebodied something else. People would Filp Out.
In reply to Carbon (Forum Supporter) :
For better or worse, Toyota realized that the cultural "design by comittee" doesn't work for radical vehicles like sports cars. Unfortunately their solution was to outsource drivetrains to partners with questionable reliability. I feel like they would have been better served outsourcing the styling or contracting Lotus for suspension work. If I'm buying a Toyota, I expect Toyota reliability.
What does it say about the audience that every comment (up to this point) on an article about The RC-F is about the Toyota Supra?
In reply to ClearWaterMS :
Touche. I'll take responsibility for that one since I was following up on the point that JG made in his review. 
If anyone has any questions on specs or wants more pics, let me know and I can raid the Lexus media site.
I have wanted to like the newer RC and IS very badly but they are just under 4,000 lbs. That is a lot of mass to haul around for a "compact" class car. The BMW 3/4, Genesis G70, and other such competitors all manage to undercut the Lexii on weight by a few hundred pounds for equivalent trim levels/drivetrains...otherwise I'd be interested in an RC or IS with the 2.0 turbo.
I want an LC 500 tin top.
In reply to dean1484 :
The LC500 is what the SC430 aspires to be when it grows up. I love the lines of the LC...I just don't want to fork over $100,000+ for one.
Huh, this is my first time seeing the RC compared to the Supra. I gotta admit, it makes a lot of sense. Mk4 Supra was like 3400 lbs. Not exactly light. The SC300 (remember it's the luxury version) was around 3700 lbs, and the RC350 is not much more than that. Bulletproof Toyota 6 cylinder engine that's also used in a Lotus is pretty cool in my book. I love the 2GR and think it would make a great Supra engine. Just like the SC of days last, the RC has a 6 and 8 cylinder option. I can only imagine what a Toyota version of the RC could have weighed, and what it could have looked like...any renderings out there?
Also, someone should 2GR swap a 86...just sayin
Great point about Lotus. If anyone is really jonesing for a lightweight sports car with a bulletproof Toyota drivetrain, just buy an Evora.
calteg said:
In reply to dean1484 :
The LC500 is what the SC430 aspires to be when it grows up. I love the lines of the LC...I just don't want to fork over $100,000+ for one.
I have been watching them and they can be had for $70k or so now.
Colin Wood said:
If I were the speculative type, I'd say the reason why Toyota didn't re-badge the RC as a Supra is because they figured that the new car had to have an inline-six under the hood.
As much (unwarranted) flak as the Supra got at launch from message boards the world over, I'd bet it would have been just as bad–if not worse–had the car been powered by a V6 or a V8.
It would've been haled genius to have a V-6 in there. Especially a Toyota V6
Because this thread needs pix :-)
LC 500 Tin Top
LC 500 Convertible
It also bugged me that the "base" RC-F was just barely faster than a decade old IS-F, despite a considerable HP advantage.
Shaun
Dork
8/12/21 5:30 p.m.
That there is a "track edition" of this car strikes me as pretty odd, but apparently several numbers were crunched and after many meetings it apparently... exists, while they are trying to sell Supras? It just occurred to me as Im typing I might be seeing JG's point from the another perspective.
