Order books have now opened for Lexus' RC F sports car, with prices starting from £59,995.
The RC-F, which was unveiled at the Detroit motor show back in January and made its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this summer, is destined to battle the likes of the new BMW M4.
Using technology harvested from the LFA hypercar, the RC F will be available in two guises in the UK - dubbed RC F and RC F Carbon.
Both versions are powered by the same 5.0-litre V8 engine, described as the most powerful unit of its type Lexus has ever built for a production car, which develops 450bhp and 384lb ft of torque. The engine is matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The engine runs on an Atkinson cycle at cruising speeds, to improve fuel economy, before switching to the conventional Otto combustion cycle at higher revs for better performance.
Standard equipment on the RC-F includes 19-inch alloy wheels, Lexus' Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system, an active rear wing, LED headlights, an infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, parking sensors and various safety systems.
Carbon versions also get a torque-vectoring differential and a carbonfibre-reinforced plastic bodywork. Lexus says this is the first application of a torque-vectoring differential in a front-engined, rear-wheel drive car. The differential offers three selectable driving modes named Standard, Slalom and Track.
Inside, both models get leather trim with heated front seats and Lexus 'F' badging. The instrument panel is dominated by a central dial that shows different displays according to which of four driving modes are selected.
The car's chief engineer, Yukihiko Yaguchi says the RC F is designed “with the goal of being capable of being driven fast by anyone, regardless of their ability.” He denied that the RC F had been benchmarked against any rival cars, but conceded his team had spent time in the last-generation BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG to help determine their development direction.
Prices for the RC F start at £59,995 for the standard car, rising to £67,995 for the RC F Carbon. First deliveries are scheduled to begin in January next year.
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Stunning as it is
Can't see it doing well sales wise