2019 Lexus RC F review – performance and 0-60
The recently updated 2019 Lexus RC F might seem old fashioned, but its recipe still holds lots of appeal
Performance and 0-60 time
Have you driven a brisk hot hatch recently? Something like a Golf R or a Mercedes-AMG A35? Because if you have, the RC F might initially feel somewhat disappointing. Instant gratification is not the game here, as when mooching around at low revs that naturally aspirated V8 doesn’t really have much in the way of performance. It’s not unresponsive, as throttle response is very crisp, it just doesn’t pack much instant punch.
Commit to the throttle, though, and the urge is there, as once the 5-litre engine has filled its lungs, the numbers start to pile on. Keep the throttle pinned and the RC F will top out at a limited 168mph. The claimed 0-62mph acceleration time is 4.3sec, an impressive number in isolation, and on a par with the BMW M4 (4.3sec), but quite a bit behind the Audi RS5 and Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe (both 3.9sec)
> Read our review of the BMW M4
Around one of Bedford Autodrome’s smaller loops the RC F trailed a regular M4, without the Competition upgrades, by 0.35sec and the old, heavier, less powerful, naturally aspirated Audi RS5 by 3.35sec.