Performance & drive
What it’s like to drive, and how quiet it is
Lexus RC F is, quite simply, outrageously quick. The 457bhp 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine can fire it from 0-62mph in just 4.5sec and it sounds fantastic as it does so, howling away gloriously.
The trouble is, the Audi RS5 Coupé and the Mercedes C-Class in AMG C63 S Coupé form can hit the same performance benchmark far faster. The C63 S does so by offering an outrageous 503bhp, while the less powerful RS5 is a lighter car than the RC F.
Trouble is, you really need to be pushing the RC F to get the best out of it, because if you drive it at low to moderate speeds, it just feels like a big, cumbersome cruiser. If you want to stiffen up the suspension for tighter body control or tweak performance, there are several driving modes to choose from (Eco, Normal, Sport S and Sport S+).
So far, we’ve only driven the RC F with the carbon-ceramic brake discs that come with the Track Edition, or can be added with the Track Pack. Despite the car's weight, they stand up well to repeatedly wiping off huge amounts of speed very quickly. One note of caution, though: we found they became noticeably less effective when they got wet in heavy rain.
