Lexus retiring its hardcore F performance line... for now

The Lexus RC F is exiting production, spelling the end of the Japanese luxury brand’s hardcore F performance line for the time being.

The V8-powered coupe was discontinued in Australia in 2021, along with the core RC lineup, as it didn’t meet a new Australian Design Rule (ADR) covering side-impact protection.

However, the BMW M4 rival has continued on sale in other markets, including Japan and the US where Final Edition versions of the RC and RC F have now been revealed ahead of production ending in November 2025.

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The RC F Final Edition features a carbon-fibre front spoiler, roof, rear diffuser, and retractable active rear spoiler, plus 19-inch BBS lightweight forged aluminium wheels.

Other changes include a special engine cover badge and a plaque inside. There’s a choice of seven exterior colours in Japan (just four in the US), while all models feature a Black and Flare Red interior with Ultrasuede upholstery.

Japan also gets Final Edition versions of the regular RC lineup, fitted with unique 19-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, a Final Edition plaque inside the cabin, and a Black and Flare Red interior with Ultrasuede upholstery among other changes.

In Japan, the RC is available as a 3.5-litre V6-powered RC350, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid RC300h, and a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder RC300, plus the 5.0-litre V8 RC F – all with rear-wheel drive.

In the US, the lineup is slightly different with an all-wheel drive RC300 featuring a detuned version of the 3.5-litre V6, and the RC350 with the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.

There’s no hybrid model offered there, while the US is only getting a Final Edition version of the RC F with its 352kW/536Nm naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8.

The RC entered production late in 2014, and Lexus says that between then and December 2024 it has sold approximately 79,000 examples in 62 countries and regions.

It sold a further 12,000 RC Fs in 57 countries and regions.

Lexus sold a total of 2536 RC vehicles in Australia, including the RC F.

The RC F was the last model in Lexus’ F performance car line, with the GS F sedan having been axed in 2020.

The only other vehicle to wear the simple F nameplate was the IS F, a hotted-up version of the second-generation IS sedan which, like the RC F and GS F, packed a 5.0-litre V8.

While the F nameplate may go dormant for a period of time, Toyota is reportedly working on a V8-powered supercar, which could arrive in showrooms in 2026 as a successor to the iconic LFA, looking like the GR GT3 concept.

Before then, Lexus Australia will launch a performance vehicle with a very different name: the LBX Morizo RR SUV, the luxury brand’s alternative to the hot Toyota GR Yaris and GR Corolla. It’s due to arrive here in the first half of this year.

Lexus also offers F Sport models, which typically feature unique design cues and additional features such as adaptive suspension, as well as F Sport Performance models.

The RX500h F Sport Performance features a turbocharged hybrid powertrain, outgunning other members of the RX lineup, while the IS500 F Sport Performance offered overseas has a 5.0-litre petrol V8.

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MORE: Everything Lexus RCMORE: 2021 Lexus RC F performance review