Performance Review: Lexus RC -F 5.0 V8 - [2014]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lexus RC Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lexus RC -F 5.0 V8 is the 8 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2014. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2015 Koenigsegg Agera RS 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Koenigsegg Regera 5.0 V8 Turbo.This particular Lexus RC has a 4969cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The RC shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the RC's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1840 kgs (4056 lbs) this makes the Lexus RC -F 5.0 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 or the give or take 50kg.

The Lexus RC shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (493 bhp)

In terms of power the 4969cc 32V V8 engine produces 470 bhp (350 kW) @ 7100 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (493 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 391 lb-ft (530.1 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lexus RC you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Audi A6 RS6 Avant 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (280.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lexus RC.

The Lexus RC has a Power to weight ratio of 255.4 bhp per ton and 212.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2014 RC competing with the 2012 Audi A6 RS6 Avant 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (280.2 bhp per ton) or the 1968 Iso Grifo 7 Litre (280.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lexus RC generating around 212.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2011 Dodge Charger SRT8 6.4 V8 (237.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 Audi TT RS 2.0 Turbo (236.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.5 secs, this made the Lexus RC -F 5.0 V8 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the or the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.40 secs). This Lexus RC -F 5.0 V8 is also faster than the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs) the and the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the RC and the 1966 Jaguar E Type 2+2 4.2L

When talking about the performance of the Lexus RC on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.99 secs @ 105.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1966 Jaguar E Type 2+2 4.2L (12.93 secs), the 1966 Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 (12.93 secs), and the 1998 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (12.94 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2014 version of the Lexus RC -F 5.0 V8 has a maximum speed of 168mph.

Top Speed of the 2014 RC equals the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 PDK 982 (179 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2014 Lexus RC -F 5.0 V8 then how about the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 PDK 982 (179 mph), the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (179 mph), or the 2017 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (179 mph).

Related Links:

2014 RC Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lexus

Car Comparison