The moment of truth is finally here... somewhat. Up until now, the BMW M4 was tested against its rivals but usually they were older models, those designed and put in production years ago. Now, the Bimmer is finally being put to the test against a more recent supposed rival: the Lexus RC F.
In case you didn’t know, in Lexus’s lingo, the F stands for exactly what the M is in Bavaria. That’s what singles out this model as the hardcore version of the otherwise comfortable RC Coupe model. Don’t be fooled though, there are big differences hiding under that sheet metal.
The RC F uses a more traditional way of doing things. In the 2015 version it kept going with a naturally aspirated V8, flipping the finger to all those yelling that we need to look out for the environment.
The 5-liter mill is also quite powerful making more HP than the BMW but less torque, as expected. In total, the RC F has 467 HP and 530 Nm (391 lb-ft) of torque which is plenty for any car these days as long as it doesn’t hit the track. The problem is, this Lexus has track ambitions.
It’s also going up against the best in the business
The M4 might be a new name on the scene but it’s certainly not built by amateurs, doing their first car. It’s filling up the shoes of the iconic M3 Coupe, a name that means something and that used to set the standard in its class for the last 30 years.
Apart from being true to its legacy, the M4 is also on par with the times. It migrated from a naturally aspirated engine to a turbocharged one of smaller size. With two similar turbines under the bonnet and a displacement of 3 liters, the inline 6-cylinder makes 431 HP and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque.
Compared to the outgoing model, the M4 has just 11 extra HP but it makes up for it in torque, having 150 Nm more. The old V8 used to make 420 HP and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. At the same time, it’s the same with the RC F, with 36 less HP but 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) more. Will that make a difference?
Weight is what sets the two apart
Yes, it makes a difference but not as you’d expect. Thanks to the new engine and other weight saving measures, the M4 is 200 kg (440 lbs) lighter than the Lexus. That immediately translates into better track performance, being the one that finishes laps faster and gets you more involved behind the steering wheel.
However, we must say that in the end, after Randy Pobst took them both out for a hot lap, we were surprised to see how well the RC F performed. Since these two will not be tracked all that much, we’re guessing it’s all down to other elements when you choose the car you want to take home, not track performance. If you can get past the styling of the Lexus, it might be your choice.
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