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Chris Harris flogs the Lexus RC F

Chris Harris went to the Monticello race track in New York to sample the Lexus RC F, and, to be honest, he had to figure out how to love it on a circuit. Smitten with the luxury coupe's looks and cabin and naturally-aspirated V8 before taking the driver's seat, Harris found that four laps on track exposed its Achilles' heel: mass. Harris quoted the weight of his car at 1,860 kilograms, or 4,092 pounds, which is about one junior varsity athlete beyond the 3,958-pound curb weight of the coupe we drove. The 478 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque couldn't stoke the hustle Harris wanted, removing all the easy friskiness expected from the coveted FR setup, and leading to quick brake fade. He made note of the Lexus' lack of torque compared to the BMW M4, but in truth the RC F is only 15 lb-ft shy of its Munich nemesis. It is, however, at least 400 pounds heavier. On public roads, though, it's a different story. When not being pushed to prove itself in tight spaces, Harris thinks the Lexus is still a "curious blend of things," but a GT whose noise, styling and non-Germanness mean that it "certainly has a place," and might just take time to grow into. Related Video: News Source: Chris Harris on Cars via YouTube Lexus Coupe Luxury Performance Videos chris harris

Lexus IS builds, new F performance structure get SEMA reveal

Lexus just announced a new F brand strategy at SEMA, and while the products themselves are not getting a massive overhaul yet, it’s vital to understand the new terms if you plan on being in the market for a sporty Lexus soon. Prior to today, we had F Sport, F Sport Performance and F. The F Sport cars were mostly aesthetic upgrades, and while some of them had performance upgrades, not all of them did. Only one F Sport Performance vehicle exists now, and itÂ’s the IS 500 F Sport Performance. Meanwhile, we have a number of F models, which is LexusÂ’ highest-performance moniker.  Going forward, there will be four performance tiers: F SPORT Design, F SPORT Handling, F SPORT Performance and F. WeÂ’ll lay out LexusÂ’ definitions of all four below for you. F SPORT Design: These vehicles may feature sport-inspired exterior design, including unique front and rear bumpers, grille and wheels. F SPORT Handling: Will build on Design with sport-tuned suspension components honed at the track, including Adaptive Variable Suspension. F SPORT Performance: In addition to the updated suspension components, these models may receive a higher-performance powertrain, as seen in the 2022 IS 500. F: As the highest expression of Lexus performance, F models will be further upgraded with innovative components developed for the racetrack, including upgraded brakes, advanced aerodynamics and lightweight materials. So there you have it. Similar to the Germans with multiple layers of AMG, Audi Sport and BMW M, Lexus will have multiple layers of F. In addition to this actual product news, Lexus revealed a pair of SEMA show cars. Both of them are from the IS tree, with one being an IS 500 F Sport Performance, and the other being an IS 350 F Sport. WeÂ’ll start with the IS 500. Hiraku & Townsend Bell is behind this “Street Performance” IS 500. Nothing much changed with the powertrain, but it does add an AÂ’Pexi induction box, TOMS Racing carbon fiber suction pipe and AÂ’Pexi exhaust system. Handling is enhanced with TOMS chassis braces in the front and rear. Plus, it gets an AÂ’Pexi adjustable coilover system. Rotiform LAS-R 20-inch wheels are wrapped in Nitto tires, and a Brembo GT braking system improves stopping power.  You can tell that the IS 500Â’s appearance has been modified, too — itÂ’s sporting a one-off 3-D-printed body kit. The Hiraku Co.

Experience the New York Auto Show by drone

The Autoblog team recently returned from wildly running around the Javits Center to cover all the news and debuts at the New York Auto Show. Sometimes, it's nice to take a more serene look at the exhibition floor, though, and the event's organizers are providing that exact opportunity by flying a drone through the hall. Combined with the down-tempo music, this clip feels like a form of automotive meditation. If you're going to miss the show in the Big Apple, the drone also provides a good overview at the exhibition floor, especially at the stands from Lexus, Buick, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and BMW. Plus, it's a fun way to see some vehicles from a completely different angle than they ever appear on the road. Related Video: News Source: New York International Auto Show via YouTube Auto News New York Auto Show BMW Buick Dodge Honda Lexus Mercedes-Benz Toyota Videos drone 2015 ny auto show