A few months back we reported that Lexus was considering competing in V8 Supercars, Australia's premier touring-car series. And while it might not be ready to launch a campaign of its own, the Japanese luxury automaker has done the next-best thing.
Starting this season, the Lexus RC F will serve as the series' official safety car. The eight-cylinder muscle coupe appears to be mechanically unmodified, as it is apparently suitable to the task right out of the showroom. It has, however, been enhanced with a special livery, emergency lighting and an interior likely to have been upgraded with bucket seats, racing harnesses, a roll cage and emergency equipment.
The RC F safety car will be joined by an IS 350 F Sport that'll serve as the medical car and another GS 350 F Sport support vehicle, giving Lexus a strong presence on the circuit Down Under and potentially paving the way for a competitive assault on the series in the near future. Aussie racing fans can expect to see the trio on the track starting with the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide later this month.
It won't be the first time we've seen Lexus provide a safety car in Australia, but it's a definite step up in profile from the GS 350 that has served for the past few years at the same Sydney Motorsport Park where this trio was launched.
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Starting this season, the Lexus RC F will serve as the series' official safety car. The eight-cylinder muscle coupe appears to be mechanically unmodified, as it is apparently suitable to the task right out of the showroom. It has, however, been enhanced with a special livery, emergency lighting and an interior likely to have been upgraded with bucket seats, racing harnesses, a roll cage and emergency equipment.
The RC F safety car will be joined by an IS 350 F Sport that'll serve as the medical car and another GS 350 F Sport support vehicle, giving Lexus a strong presence on the circuit Down Under and potentially paving the way for a competitive assault on the series in the near future. Aussie racing fans can expect to see the trio on the track starting with the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide later this month.
It won't be the first time we've seen Lexus provide a safety car in Australia, but it's a definite step up in profile from the GS 350 that has served for the past few years at the same Sydney Motorsport Park where this trio was launched.
06 February 2015
LEXUS ROARS INTO V8 SUPERCARS WITH RC F SAFETY CAR
The Lexus high powered performance RC F coupe will feature as V8 Supercars' official Safety Car in 2015 as part of a new partnership between the Japanese luxury marque and V8 Supercars, Australia's premier motorsport series.
A Lexus GS 350 F Sport and an IS 350 F Sport will also be on track as the championship's official course and medical cars as part of the new agreement.
The RC F, which is equipped with a 5.0-litre V8 that produces 351kW of power and 530Nm of torque, will feature at each of the 15 V8 Supercars Championship events in 2015 alongside the GS 350 F Sport and IS 350 F Sport.
Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley said the partnership with V8 Supercars was a fitting match for the brand.
"V8 Supercars is the world's leading touring car series and our involvement as supplier of vehicles reflects the new energy in our brand and our dynamic model lines," Mr Hanley said.
"This partnership is also the perfect opportunity to show Australian motorsport fans the new RC F, which is just as suited to driving on a track as it is on the road."
V8 Supercars chief executive officer James Warburton said Lexus was one of the world's great brands.
"We are proud and excited that Lexus has chosen our sport to showcase their high performance credentials," Mr Warburton said.
"The stunning RC F safety car will be a feature of its own, and together with the IS 350 F Sport and GS 350 F Sport, we are absolutely delighted these ultra-high performance vehicles will be an integral part of V8 Supercars in 2015."
The RC F is the latest model to wear the F badge - the high performance vehicle arm of Lexus - and takes the mantle as the brand's most focused, race-inspired model in Australia.
Along with its aggressive, aerodynamic curves, it features racetrack-developed suspension and brakes, and power delivery via an eight-speed Sports Direct Shift transmission and unique torque vectoring differential.
The Lexus GS 350 F Sport course car and IS 350 F Sport medical car boast performance and safety credentials to provide support to V8 Supercars' intense on-track activities.
They both feature a 3.5-litre quad cam V6 that produces 233kW and 378Nm, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual control via paddle shifters.
The RC F, GS 350 F Sport and IS 350 F Sport models will commence their association with V8 Supercars at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide from February 26 to March 1.
LEXUS ROARS INTO V8 SUPERCARS WITH RC F SAFETY CAR
The Lexus high powered performance RC F coupe will feature as V8 Supercars' official Safety Car in 2015 as part of a new partnership between the Japanese luxury marque and V8 Supercars, Australia's premier motorsport series.
A Lexus GS 350 F Sport and an IS 350 F Sport will also be on track as the championship's official course and medical cars as part of the new agreement.
The RC F, which is equipped with a 5.0-litre V8 that produces 351kW of power and 530Nm of torque, will feature at each of the 15 V8 Supercars Championship events in 2015 alongside the GS 350 F Sport and IS 350 F Sport.
Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley said the partnership with V8 Supercars was a fitting match for the brand.
"V8 Supercars is the world's leading touring car series and our involvement as supplier of vehicles reflects the new energy in our brand and our dynamic model lines," Mr Hanley said.
"This partnership is also the perfect opportunity to show Australian motorsport fans the new RC F, which is just as suited to driving on a track as it is on the road."
V8 Supercars chief executive officer James Warburton said Lexus was one of the world's great brands.
"We are proud and excited that Lexus has chosen our sport to showcase their high performance credentials," Mr Warburton said.
"The stunning RC F safety car will be a feature of its own, and together with the IS 350 F Sport and GS 350 F Sport, we are absolutely delighted these ultra-high performance vehicles will be an integral part of V8 Supercars in 2015."
The RC F is the latest model to wear the F badge - the high performance vehicle arm of Lexus - and takes the mantle as the brand's most focused, race-inspired model in Australia.
Along with its aggressive, aerodynamic curves, it features racetrack-developed suspension and brakes, and power delivery via an eight-speed Sports Direct Shift transmission and unique torque vectoring differential.
The Lexus GS 350 F Sport course car and IS 350 F Sport medical car boast performance and safety credentials to provide support to V8 Supercars' intense on-track activities.
They both feature a 3.5-litre quad cam V6 that produces 233kW and 378Nm, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual control via paddle shifters.
The RC F, GS 350 F Sport and IS 350 F Sport models will commence their association with V8 Supercars at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide from February 26 to March 1.
Related Video:
Lexus RC-F Information
Featured Gallery Lexus RC F Safety Car for V8 Supercars
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