Performance Coupe Challenge: RC-F vs M4

4164 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by soarer, Jul 19, 2015

Lexus RC News

Discussion Starter · Jul 14, 2015 (Edited)

Cars.com took the RC-F and M4 (along with an ATS-V) to the Autobahn Raceway outside Chicago for their Performance Coupe challenge.

Keep in mind that the review is subjective and based on the feelings of the testers. They zero in on their pure instincts as track cars instead of muddling their feelings with road manners.

M4 Pros

Dedicated experience
Tightly tuned suspension and steering
Engine is great on track coming out of a corner, torque rockets the M4 out of corners
Benchmark of class
No learning curve, by far the most fun
Phenomenal brakes
torque torque torque

M4 Cons

Automatic gearbox isnt intuitive on track
Exhaust note isn't that pleasant, sounds like economy 4 cylinder

RC F Pros

Automatic Transmission in its most aggressive mode isn't bad on track
Best sounding engine of the bunch
Throaty high revving and aggressive revs are aurally pleasing
Great first effort

RC F Cons

Heavier weight makes it feel torque-less
Felt over matched by the track
Exhibited too much understeer when being pushed
V8 felt lifeless coming out of corners, needs high revs to get power out of it

Had this been a road focused comparison we would of heard them waxing poetic about how comfortable the RC-F is, how liveable day to day it can be. Sure it may suffer periodic bouts of understeer after several hot laps, but on the street the more 'comfort' oriented suspension soaks up the road imperfections the M4 is more then happy to transfer to your teeth.

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soarer

· #2 · Jul 14, 2015

Lexus apparently is working on something more exciting for the RC-F, maybe, just maybe it will be a true M4 rival.

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Sykes

· #3 · Jul 15, 2015

I don't see how the RC-F isnt a true M4 rival? On the street, everything I've read, points to the lexus being a far superior car. I don't know about you but I don't buy cars with the 1 or 2 trackdays a year in mind, I buy them for their day to day livability...

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soarer

· #4 · Jul 16, 2015

Looks like there's some good chance we'll get a much more potent RC-F:

Possible Production Version of the Lexus RC F CCS-R Race Car?

Peter Lyon from Motoring Australia had a chance to drive the Lexus RC F CCS-R race car on Fuji Speedway:

The Lexus RC F CCS-R is a pre-production version of the RC F GT Concept that has campaigned at Pikes Peak and the Nurburgring. Weighing 400kg less than the production RC F, the CCS-R runs the standard 5.0-litre V8. But Perspex windows and extensive use of carbon-fibre inside and out serve to keep the weight low.

The car is a blast to drive. It feels light, fast and corners with the minimum of fuss. And with every gear change, you are being mesmerised by the coupe’s addictive V8 growl which is significantly louder inside the car given the lack of sound absorbing material.

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Beyond the driving experience, Lyon reports that Lexus may be considering a production model version of the RC F CCS-R:

Some will argue that the CCS-R is the RC F Lexus should have made in the first place. But that’s just the beginning of the story, because there are already rumours circulating that Lexus is looking at launching a CCS-R inspired road car that would knock horns with the likes of the BMW M4 GTS and the Mercedes AMG C 63 Black Series…

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This is a rumor going all the way back to the previous-generation IS F CCS-R, and it all comes down to demand — is there enough interest in a track-optimized high-performance version of the RC F to justify production?

Source: http://lexusenthusiast.com/2015/07/15/possible-production-version-of-the-lexus-rc-f-ccs-r-race-car/

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Lex Luther

· #5 · Jul 16, 2015

Before finishing reading, I figured that the BMW would do better in a test like this. The RC F consistently gets pinged for its heavy weight and slow reaction times.

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Sykes

· #6 · Jul 16, 2015

Lex Luther said:
Before finishing reading, I figured that the BMW would do better in a test like this. The RC F consistently gets pinged for its heavy weight and slow reaction times.

But how many track videos are there of the M4 and RC-F lapping near identical times in near identical conditions? The RC-F is bad on track is pure rhetoric from journos who either have a personal love affair with BMW, or their rag currently collects a ton of cash from BMW advertising

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Lex Luther

· #7 · Jul 17, 2015

I mean I tend to believe things if I read them enough. Perhaps that's my bad.

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mrjangle

· #8 · Jul 17, 2015

When you factor in the BMW unreliability, I'll take a RC F over the M4 any day of the week. In fact, I'd take any Lexus over any BMW period. BMW has some great looks. But looks mean nothing parked in the service garage.

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soarer

· #9 · Jul 19, 2015

mrjangle said:
When you factor in the BMW unreliability, I'll take a RC F over the M4 any day of the week. In fact, I'd take any Lexus over any BMW period. BMW has some great looks. But looks mean nothing parked in the service garage.

Only something i'd be concerned once both are out of warranty terms that orignally come with them. That's where Japanese cars really shine

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