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By Jonathan Crouch

The Lexus RC F signs off with this 'Ultimate Edition' version. Jonathan Crouch takes a last drive

Ten Second Reviewword count: 41

The banzai Lexus RC F is a coupe that makes the BMW M4 and Mercedes C 63 AMG seem almost straight-laced. And it finished production with this 'Ultimate Edition' version. The ultimate version of the brand's ultimate performance V8 coupe? Perhaps.

Backgroundword count: 134

When later this decade we look back, it will seem strange that Hybrid pioneers Lexus offered a car with an old school atmospheric 5.0-litre V8 right until the end of 2024. The car that prolonged this classic engine's life was the RC F coupe - which finished production with the 'Ultimate Edition' model we look at here. Just 30 were made for European sale. A bit of RC F history first. It was first unveiled back in 2014, then updated five years on. At this point, the chassis was reinforced and lightened and the V8 had to give up a few horsepower to meet European emissions legislation. A 'Track Edition' version was added to the range at this point and it was that variant which formed the basis for this last-of-the-line 'Ultimate Edition' model.

Driving Experienceword count: 170

Buckle up, because the RC F's specifications sound fantastic. Lexus claimed the 32-valve 5.0-litre engine was the most powerful it had ever created for a production car. It's glorious-sounding, is mated to an eight-speed Sports Direct Shift transmission and delivers 457bhp and 520Nm of torque. 0-62mph takes 4.3s en route to 168mph. It's not just all displacement and no decorum either. The RC F gets standard fitment Brembo brakes, Sachs monotube shock absorbers, an active rear wing, Lexus's Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system and is garnished with some beautiful 19-inch forged alloy wheels. In this 'Ultimate Edition' form, it also benefits from additional performance features in the form of an active torque-vectoring differential and a CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced plastic) roof, bonnet and rear spoiler. The torque-vectoring differential gives the driver the choice of three operating modes to optimise traction and vehicle control in different scenarios, from everyday driving to track performance. Despite its hardcore credentials, Lexus aimed here to build something you could easily use as your daily driver.

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