[MediaArtist]

Originally Posted by NemesisX

Video of black RC-F on the road -

The side profile is somewhat elegant I suppose. As expected the front looks less offensive in black although it's hard to tell.

That looks like it was taken in Westminster in OC.

I wish those idiots would have quieted down for a second so we could actually hear how it sounds under load.

[DieGrüneHölle]

Looks like a G37 from the side profile. Might be the black color hiding some lines.

[Soorena]

Originally Posted by Levi

At this year's Detroit auto show, BMW unveiled the much-anticipated M4, while about 200 feet away, Lexus debuted its radical new RC F. Both are high-performance 400-plus-hp coupes that will go head to head on the street and track in the coming months. I sat down with the two men behind each -- Albert Biermann, vice president of engineering, BMW M, and Yukihiko Yaguchi, deputy chief engineer, Lexus F -- and posed the same five questions. Their answers might surprise you.


What car did you benchmark?

Biermann: The predecessor, first of all. That was our main benchmark. The target was to make the best M3 ever. Now we call the coupe the M4, but the job was to make the best M3.

Yaguchi: No benchmark. I don't care about the competitors. I want to create what I want, which is a really high-performance car offering driving pleasure to anybody, even regular drivers.


What is the best high-performance car out there today?

Biermann: That is a hard to answer question because I think we need to cut this in slices for segments, you know? But the best one would be the M1 successor -- if there were a successor.

Yaguchi: Porsche 911.


If you were to give the previous car a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being best, what number would you give the M4/RC F?

Biermann: Oh, that's a tough one. I mean, if it comes to lap times, speeds, overall acceleration, then we would be in a different league than the M1 successor. As a driver's car and driving involvement, it pretty much goes to a 10.

Yaguchi: The Porsche has different axis to measure. The 911 goes this direction and the RC F goes that direction. So, 10 score 911; 10 score RC F. Just different axis.


What are the five things about your car that you'd want people to know?

Biermann: First of all, to go on with the tradition of bringing race car technology onto the road. That's the job of the M3 and the M4. And there's a lot of race car concept in the new car. Then, our completely new engine, where we bring the high-revving aspects of the predecessor's naturally aspirated engine together with the efficiency and the performance of a modern -- very modern -- turbo engine. Then all the focus we put on the car regarding light weight. There's so much technological substance in the new M4, with carbon-fiber technology, like a carbon-fiber driveshaft, carbon-fiber roof. The trunklid inside layer is carbon fiber, so it's lighter, less weight than the predecessor. That's a very important statement. And then, for sure, the precision and the agility of the driving experience. We put a lot of effort into developing everything around the steering system -- the kinematics, the front axle, the rear axle, how they interact, and that was a big focus on the car. Last one is performance on a racetrack. This is not a pretender. Like all the M3s before, this a track car.

Yaguchi: First of all, styling -- the coupe design. And then the engine -- the new engine we're going to introduce. And then the handling, with a really rigid body. Then the fourth: electronic devices, which help not only just professional drivers, but those beginner drivers, who can drive really easily and enjoy. And last, everybody can be smiling when they drive the RC F.


What are your thoughts on the RC F/M4?

Biermann: I need to understand more about the technology [Lexus] put into it. If [RC F] is just another IS F with a big engine, that would not make a competitor to an M3. I can only imagine that, for their customers, [5.0-liter V-8 and eight-speed automatic] is the right way to go. That would definitely not be the right way to go for our customers. We have kind of a race car engine -- the character of our engine is almost like a race car engine. Very precise, although it's a turbo, but it's very responsive and it revs up to 7600 rpm. Very sharp. And it's a car for the track.

Yaguchi: It's kind of typical M product, which means they don't change horsepower quite a lot, but they just reduced the weight to enhance the driving performance—the typical M way. So, that's my observation. At this moment, for Lexus F, we think the non-turbo engine provides the best performance balance and also response. But I don't want to reject any performance engine's potential. If needed, I'm going to certainly study. I want to provide linear torque and power by a naturally aspirated engine.


http://blogs.motortrend.com/1403_fiv...#ixzz2wic15HzL

Biermann sounds like a typical self-ego stroking German douche.

Yaguchi though seems more like a down-to-earth honest guy.

If i were choose cars based on the personality of their designers, the Lexus would take the cake.

[DieGrüneHölle]

The new Lexus Camry...I mean Toyota Camry.

So much for Lexus brand identity.

[8k3]

hideous x 1000

[MicrophoneMic]

Originally Posted by Soorena

Biermann sounds like a typical self-ego stroking German douche.

Yaguchi though seems more like a down-to-earth honest guy.

If i were choose cars based on the personality of their designers, the Lexus would take the cake.

Agreed. My exact feelings when I read the interview.

[BMW269]

Brochure leak...

[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by Blipit_

The new Lexus Camry...I mean Toyota Camry.

So much for Lexus brand identity.

That doesn't look anything like any Lexus model. I don't know what you're talking about.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by NemesisX

Video of black RC-F on the road -

The side profile is somewhat elegant I suppose. As expected the front looks less offensive in black although it's hard to tell.

I see a little Maserati design in there.

[BMW269]

[BMW269]

[Chihuahua]

Love it. I'd buy this car over the M3 in a heartbeat. It has soul. It has personality. BMW has totally lost the plot with the M3. It's a 335i with a $20,000 boost controller and wheel upgrade.

[BMW269]

Tamon Design WBK

[pgviper]

Every time I look at this car, I like it just a little bit more. I also prefer the F division interview responses as opposed to the M. Something about the RCF makes me think that it's going to be an absolute hit!

[pgviper]

Originally Posted by Soorena

Biermann sounds like a typical self-ego stroking German douche.

Yaguchi though seems more like a down-to-earth honest guy.

If i were choose cars based on the personality of their designers, the Lexus would take the cake.

I completely agree.

It's funny how the Corvette team targeted the 911 and the Stingray is a hit! The lexus team targeted the 911 and I have the feeling that it's going to be a fantastic car. Only BMW would target themselves. The e9x M3 is a great car but there is a reason why 90% of BMW owners upgrade to porsche. Unfortunately BMW targeting themselves shows me that they didn't aim as high as the competition and only time will tell if that was a mistake.

[ShocknAwe]

If they would just offer a damn manual gearbox I would put this car nearly on top of my reasonable cars to own list. It has really grown on me a lot.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by pgviper

The e9x M3 is a great car but there is a reason why 90% of BMW owners upgrade to porsche.

The RC-F looks good for sure though, hopefully it doesn't suffer the same woes of the first gen IS-F...the horrid ride. Overall a good alternative for those looking to stay N/A though.

[1chanc3]

Anyone know the expected cost of this beast?

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by 1chanc3

Anyone know the expected cost of this beast?

I know the first gen IS-F was a little more than the M3 so probably around the same pricing for the RC-F, around the same as an M4.

[BMW269]

[DrivenByE30]

Good times we are living in...

If only we have the money

[BMW269]