This is the 2017 RC F GT3 from Lexus, and with this 500hp, 5.4-litre V8 racer the higher-end sister brand to Toyota hopes to show an increasing commitment to motorsport.
The car is something of a carbon obsessive's dream, with a carbon fibre hood, roof, trunk lid, door panels, front and rear bumpers, front canards, rear spoiler, interior trim, rear wing, engine air box and dashboard.
With its weight-saving, carbon-fibre construction with polycarbonate windows, multiple front vents, huge grille and aggressive stance, the all black RC F GT3 looks more like the kind of car a youthful Darth Vader would be driving on the way to collecting his third ASBO.
Speaking of weight, at 1,300kg, the RC F GT3 is some 495kg lighter than the production RC F.
The car, now approved by the FIA (motorsport’s governing body), will be competing in championships in the USA and Japan, as well as a select number of European events including the International GT Open series.
In the USA, two RC F GT3s will compete for the 3GT Racing team in the GTD class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Series. While in Japan, two cars are contesting the GT300 class of the Super GT Series with the LM corsa team.
In 2016, using a prototype of the RC F GT3, Lexus became the first Asian carmaker to win a VLN Endurance Championship race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Engine: 5.4-litre V8 **Max power:**500bhp/373kW Transmission: 6-speed sequential Wheels: 13x18in with centre lock **Overall length:**4,845mm Overall width: 2,030mm Overall height: 1,270mm Kerb weight: 1,300kg
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
