Overlooked Japanese Muscle Car with a V-8 Engine, Often Overlooked by Enthusiasts
In the world of sports-luxury coupes, the discontinuation of the Lexus RC-F after the 2025 model year marks a significant shift. This iconic two-door luxury coupe, known for its old-school, naturally aspirated V8 muscle car vibe, has left a void in the market that several contenders are eager to fill.
The Ford Mustang GT, BMW M2 and M4, and the Mercedes CLE 53 are the current prominent competitors vying for the spot left by the RC-F. Each of these models offers rear-wheel-drive performance coupes with sporty characteristics, catering to different preferences.
The Ford Mustang GT shares the traditional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive V8 muscle car characteristic with the RC-F, making it a direct competitor in spirit and performance. On the other hand, the BMW M2 and M4 are noted for their sharper European sports coupe focus, with the M4 in particular being highly esteemed as an enthusiast's machine. The BMW 4 Series lineup also includes convertibles and a Gran Coupe, with all-wheel drive options available.
The Mercedes CLE 53, while less extreme than the RC-F, caters to luxury coupe buyers seeking sporty performance but perhaps with more comfort-oriented tuning.
The Lexus RC-F, during its 10-year production cycle, has sold over 90,000 units worldwide. Powered by a 2UR-GSE engine, a normally aspirated V-8 that was first featured in the 2008 IS-F, the RC-F offers a choice between two differentials: a mechanical, limited-slip differential and an E-differential with torque-vectoring. The engine produces 467-477 horsepower (depending on model year and variant) at 6,400-7,100 RPM and 391 pound-feet of torque at 4,800-5,600 RPM. The RC-F has a curb weight of 3,902 pounds and a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds. The top speed of the RC-F is 168-170 mph. The Lexus RC-F is equipped with an Aisin AA80E 8-speed Direct-shift automatic transmission.
Despite its performance credentials, the Lexus RC-F stands out for its reliability. RepairPal.com gives the RC-F 3.5 out of 5 for reliability, with average annual repairs being $739. Cars.com, on the other hand, gives the RC-F a maximum 5 out of 5 points for reliability. This makes the 2014-2025 Lexus RC-F a good buy for those in the market for a luxury V-8 coupe, as it is currently in a sweet spot where it's not too expensive and not too old.
As for its future, Lexus may be developing a sporty coupe to replace both the RC and the LC models. However, this remains speculative. The discontinuation of the RC-F also marks a departure for Lexus from rear-wheel-drive V8 coupes, leaving enthusiasts with only a few similar options on the market.
This article was written by Dimitar Angelov, an expert in a wide variety of vehicles, with a particular interest in Japanese brands like Toyota, and performance cars in general.
[1] Source: Edmunds (www.edmunds.com) [2] Source: Motor1 (www.motor1.com) [3] Source: BMW USA (www.bmwusa.com) [4] Source: Car and Driver (www.caranddriver.com) [5] Source: Ford Motor Company (www.ford.com)
- In the realm of finance and industry, several manufacturers in the automotive sector are investing heavily to fill the void left by the discontinuation of the Lexus RC-F.
- Aside from performance, lifestyle preferences play a significant role in the choice between the Ford Mustang GT, BMW M2 and M4, and the Mercedes CLE 53, each catering to different, distinct tastes.
- Despite its discontinuation, the Lexus RC-F continues to shine for its exceptional reliability and affordability, making it a compelling option in the world of luxury V-8 coupes.
