Next Lexus RC to be spun-off from wild racer

The all-new replacement for the Lexus RC coupe will begin life as a fully-fledged racer in a bid to become enthusiasts' preferred choice over its current Audi A5, BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class opposition.

According to Toyota Racing Development (TRD) boss David Wilson, the second-generation Lexus RC will be based on the Toyota Gazoo Racing GT3 that was unveiled last month.

"It’s fairly safe to connect the dots and suggest that [the GR GT3 concept] could be a precursor to the next global GT3 car for Lexus," Wilson told US publication Car and Driver.

The news that the next Lexus RC will be a racer-based road car was echoed in a second interview with car blog Motor1, when Wilson went on to explain the benefits of beginning with the race car first.

"Our Lexus RC F is a dynamite sports car, but I'll be candid and say that it’s not a GT3 car. The current gen that we’re racing right now was an afterthought to make it a GT3 car.

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

Set to be introduced in the next couple of years, Gazoo Racing has already confirmed that a GT3 concept will be on track before the end of 2022.

As well as its dramatic design, it's thought the GR GT3 will donate a front-mid-engine development that's set to be a powerful hybrid or pure-electric powertrain. One rumour is it will get an electrified version of the Lexus' latest twin-turbo V8.

The road-going RC will also feature a watered-down version of its advanced aero and weight-saving measures to ensure it will offer the best power-to-weight ratio in its class.

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