Next Lexus RC to be developed alongside GT3 racing car – report

Next generation Lexus RC will be developed with GT3 racing in mind from the outset and may be inspired by Toyota GR GT3 concept.

Toyota Racing Development President, David Wilson, alluded to Car hybrid“It is quite safe to connect the dots and suggest that [the GR GT3 concept] could be the precursor to Lexus’ next global GT3 car. ”

Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division says it will have a test-run prototype of the GR GT3 concept later this year, powered by an internal combustion engine, and Wilson says the race car will arrive “hopefully within a few days.” next year “.

The road car could also have a hybrid powertrain, almost a requirement for a Lexus these days.

Developing the next GT3 version RC along with a road car version that is the complete opposite of the current RC F GT3 development, and Wilson admits it was an “afterthought”.

Wilson says the RC F’s on-track performance has been affected by the heavy curb weight – heavier than the GT3 rival – and the larger frontal area which increases drag.

“What we all had to learn is that’s not how you bring a GT3 car to market,” says Wilson.

“Before you put your first line on paper, you decide you are going to race that car and that shapes the design parameters, the performance parameters of that production car.”

Toyota Gazoo Racing unveiled the GR GT3 concept at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon.

It has the look of a classic racing car with a long bonnet, slanted and sloping rear windows, and a large rear spoiler.

There’s also a very low front spoiler, bonnet vents, a side exhaust, central locking wheels, a full-width rear light bar and a diffuser. strong wind behind.

TGR intends to use feedback from the GR GT3 concept and its motorsport technologies to develop both the GT3 and the future mass-produced “motorsport” vehicle.

The current RC F GT3 racer is powered by a 5.4-liter V8 that produces more than 367kW, mated to a six-speed sequential transmission.

In contrast, the RC F road car uses a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine, with a capacity of 351kW and 530Nm, combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The RC F, along with the four- and six-cylinder RC300 and RC350, were withdrawn from the Australian market late last year due to implement stricter side effects regulations.

The discontinuation of the RC F has cost Lexus Australia the only remaining F car, as well as the only car with the 5.0-litre V8 atmo engine.

The RC was launched locally in 2014, with the RC F following in 2015. An upgraded model debuted in late 2018, although the RC is not considered a reskin for 2021 like TO BE sedans.

Instead of just a two-door IS, RC uses a borrowed platform from GS the second generation IS sedan and convertible – the front and middle sections – and the rear of the third generation IS.

THAN: Everything Lexus RC