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Ken Gratton3 Mar 2014
NEWS

GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Lexus unveils RC racer

And GT3 concept will be joined by RC 350 F Sport production variant
Lexus will pull the shrouds off two new RC models in Geneva this week. 
The RC F GT3 Concept is a design study built to comply with international GT3 racing standards, as the name suggests. Lexus says that the car will be rolled out to race teams next year, with testing scheduled for this year. Powered by a 397kW V8 taken from the RC F, the GT3 version also benefits from weight pared back to 1250kg. 
The manufacturer anticipates RC F GT3 will compete in a number of different categories and events around the world, all drawing on GT3 regulations for eligibility, including the 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race in Germany and the Super Taikyu Endurance and Super GT series in Japan.
"Motorsport forms an integral part of our commitment to building Lexus' credentials in the area of vehicle dynamics, while also complementing our focus on design," Lexus Australia Chief Executive Sean Hanley was quoted saying in a press release.
"Through initiatives like the RC F GT3 Concept, Lexus will give car enthusiasts and customers the opportunity to experience the excitement of motorsport."
On the stand alongside the RC F GT3 Concept will be the RC 350 F Sport – a production car offering cosmetic and dynamic features not available in the standard RC models. Lexus describes the exclusive 'F' grille as an "evolution" of the company's 'spindle' grille design. It complements the car's body kit and F Sport alloy wheels, which are finished in a dark metallic paint, measure 19 inches in diameter and feature a 10-spoke design. The new model is available in three unique exterior colours: White Nova, Orange, and Flame Blue. 
Inside, the F Sport variant adopts an LFA-style instrument binnacle, an F Sport steering wheel and upgraded gear knob. Highlights of the interior design are 'Wedge Metal' decorative trim and a 'Dark Rose' coordinating colour.
Underpinning the RC 350 F Sport is Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which can be adjusted to suit the driver's needs by manually selecting different operating modes. This is complemented by the Lexus Dynamic Handling system, which incorporates Dynamic Rear Steering. In conjunction with the car's electrically-assisted steering and Variable Gear Ratio Steering, the LDH and DRS facilities provide a higher level of handling competence, Lexus claims. At lower speeds the front wheels and the DRS-equipped rear wheels steer in opposite directions, for faster, easier parking. Once the RC 350 F Sport reaches higher speeds the front and rear wheels steer in unison.
As the name suggests, the RC 350 F Sport is powered by a 236kW, 380Nm V6, driving to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The car, like all RC variants, is based on the GS platform. Suspension is independent all around, by double wishbones at the front and a multi-link system at the rear. 
Lexus Australia is not locked into a launch date for the RC yet, but with the launch of the car in Japan pencilled in for the fourth quarter of this year, the prestige importer is hoping for a local launch not long after. At this stage that will be either Q4 like Japan, or possibly the first quarter of next year. 

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Written byKen Gratton
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