Lexus may not be the first name you associate with sports cars. You may immediately think of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi or some other European brand. Then again you may think of American icons like the Chevrolet Corvette. Still, Lexus has created sports cars that really do combine all of the aspects of luxury sport car. It seems that the Japanese automaker has hit upon a formula that works.
The first Lexus on the list runs the 0-60 mph sprint in 4.2 seconds. The Lexus RC-F is a four-seater with a classic look that exudes sleek and sexy. You might think it was a European sports car if it weren’t for the distinctive grille flanked by eye-like headlamps. It definitely achieves that iconic look that is expected from a great sports car.
A fixed rear wing is a signal that the RC-F Track Edition is faster. You may not recognize it by looking at it, but it picks up some carbon fiber components in order to drop weight. With these changes, it reduces its sprint time, bringing it down to 3.92 seconds. Stylish and smart, the Track Edition wears heat-resistant Titanium mufflers.
Aiming for maximum speed, the LC 500 has carbon fiber components and a lightweight roof to keep the weight down. It is built from the ground up to be a serious contender. Lexus has made it more athletic by keeping the front and rear overhangs compact to eliminate any related drag. The hood is low, leading to a sweeping roofline.
Engineers have achieved a nearly perfect 50/50 weight balance between the front and rear. The exterior is sculpted for speed. Four air intakes move air, keeping things cool in the engine and under the car. Rear aero ducts help with downward force. There’s also a convertible at your Lexus Scottsdale dealer, just in case the regular LC 500 isn’t sexy enough.
Drivers are assisted by a ten-speed automatic transmission, an adaptive variable suspension, and a rear-wheel drive platform. The car has a V8 engine that spits out 471 horsepower. Active rear steering, a Lexus option, is the ultimate addition to truly capture the best of rear-wheel driving. A speed activated wing is designed to reduce lift at high speeds. It raises at 50 mph and retracts at 25 mph.
If you want to see what a hybrid can do, the Lexus LC 500h is a rare choice. With an output of 354 horsepower, the combined powertrain and electric motor allow this car to rush from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Still, it earns 34 mpg on the highway.
The Lexus sports cars may surprise some, but they are certainly in line with the way the corporation has been testing out its performance capabilities. All of those larger SUVs and hybrids have been successful due mainly to clever engineering that increases power without increasing vehicle weight. To create these sports cars, Lexus expects its engineers and designers to work in tandem. This ensures the final product hits every mark from performance to glamour.
Luxury shopping is all about choices. There are definitely some in this lineup that are worthy of a follow up.