Photo: Lexus
Pikes Peak participants are starting to announce their presence and plans to conquer the famous hill climb, and Lexus is one of them, as the Japanese brand will unleash the RC F GT Concept up the winding course.
The class Lexus is targeting was named Time Attack, which means the RC F GT prototype will race against to clock on the treacherous 12.42-mile, 156-turn course. But Lexus engineers gifted the car with everything it needs to rise to the task ahead.
Because this is a racecar we're talking about, the RC F GT prototype was adorned with "a high level of composite materials." In English, carbon fiber was used for the hood, roof, trunk lid, door panels, front and rear over fenders, rear spoiler, interior trim and dashboard. As a result, it tips the scales at 3,130 lbs (1420 kg), 800 lbs (363 kg) less compared to the street version.
However, the Pikes Peak challenger is using the same engine as the RC F (5.0-liter V8) but also the standard 8-speed automatic transmission. Lexus claims that by using this stock configuration, engineers can test the engine, transmission and chassis components in various conditions, experimenting with different tuning ideas, settings and software.
The new Lexus will be piloted up the mountain by British driver Justin Bell, who is also a FIA GT world champion and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner in 1998.
“With very little time behind the wheel, the RC F GT Concept has already proven fast and easy to drive, very much like the production models, actually. We expect the race car will only pick up pace as we engage more testing, tuning, and data acquisition on the mountain,” said Bell.
Because this is a racecar we're talking about, the RC F GT prototype was adorned with "a high level of composite materials." In English, carbon fiber was used for the hood, roof, trunk lid, door panels, front and rear over fenders, rear spoiler, interior trim and dashboard. As a result, it tips the scales at 3,130 lbs (1420 kg), 800 lbs (363 kg) less compared to the street version.
However, the Pikes Peak challenger is using the same engine as the RC F (5.0-liter V8) but also the standard 8-speed automatic transmission. Lexus claims that by using this stock configuration, engineers can test the engine, transmission and chassis components in various conditions, experimenting with different tuning ideas, settings and software.
The new Lexus will be piloted up the mountain by British driver Justin Bell, who is also a FIA GT world champion and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner in 1998.
“With very little time behind the wheel, the RC F GT Concept has already proven fast and easy to drive, very much like the production models, actually. We expect the race car will only pick up pace as we engage more testing, tuning, and data acquisition on the mountain,” said Bell.
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