View Photos MICHAEL SIMARI, THE MANUFACTURER

What It Is

A coupe version of the IS sedan. And, if you ignore the LFA, and you shouldn’t, the hot-rod RC F is the most powerful Lexus ever. OMG!

Why It Matters

The Lexus lineup lacks a small coupe to take on the German competition. The RC will fill that gap. In sporty F guise, it promises to be our choice, provided the RC F starts off where the excellent IS F left off, FWIW.

Platform

The RC F shares its chassis with the IS sedan and the regular-strength RC coupe. To visually distinguish the hi-po RC F, Lexus gives it big fender flares, a spoiler that deploys at 50 mph, vented bodywork, and a carbon-fiber roof. STFU!

Powertrain

V-6 RC coupes are expected to offer four-wheel drive as an option. OTOH, the RC F will be rear-drive only. An Aisin eight-speed automatic carries over from the IS F. Tweaks to the IS F’s naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 will up power to roughly 460 horses, a bump from the 416 horses in the outgoing IS F.

Competition

Audi RS5, BMW M4, Cadillac ATS-V, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Z/28, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, LOL!!

What Might Go Wrong

Lexus has to get this one right, right from the start. If the initial car isn’t better than the competition, it may go unnoticed. Complicating matters, the car’s name is all initials. ROTFL!!!!!

Estimated Arrival and Price

ASAP. Look for the RC F alongside lesser RC coupes in dealer lots by the end of this year. Regular RCs likely will begin at $40,000 with the extra-strength RC F coming in at about $65,000, FYI.

NICHOLAS WALLACE, AARON ROBINSON, MARC URBANO, THE MANUFACTURER

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