The Japanese coupé should now go faster through corners
Lexus has added some updates to its RC F high-performance coupé for the 2017 model year.
The highlight is the F-Performance Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) which is now a standard feature. Lexus says the adaptive suspension controls damping force with more precision than the standard setup.
Featuring a linear solenoid design, AVS was tuned on the Nürburgring to improve steering during cornering as well as body roll stability. In addition to enhancing handling, AVS is said to improve "ride smoothness during acceleration and deceleration."
Another update for the 2017 RC F is the Scout GPS Link app, which allows navigation maps and turn-by-turn directions to appear on the vehicle's central display screen when the app is installed on the driver's paired phone.
Lexus also offers two new styling features for the 2017 RC F — a sportier 19-inch forged wheel design and a new Caviar body color. The lightweight 19-inch forged aluminum wheels are shod with 255/35R19 front tires and 275/35R19 rear tires.
Nothing else changes, which means the mighty Japanese coupé carries on with the 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 gasoline engine rated at 467 hp and 389 lb-ft (528 Nm) of torque. With a 7,300 rpm redline, the engine operates in the Atkinson cycle at cruising speeds for enhanced efficiency and switches to the Otto cycle for higher performance when accelerating.
The V8 is mated to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift Automatic Transmission with paddle shifters that sends power to the rear wheels under the watchful eye of a standard Torsen limited-slip differential. As a result, the RC F goes from 0 to 60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 168 mph (270 km/h).