Dream drive: cruising in a Lexus 'Batmobile'

This review first appeared in the December 2019 edition of the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News published out of Folsom, California – mg

Sacramento, California – My recent review of the 2019 Lexus IS 350 sedan was the appetizer; the recently tested 2019 Lexus RC F coupe, a special 10th Anniversary Edition, is the main course.

And what a main course it is! ... an exotic, spectacular-looking, super-performing hunk of engineering priced at $84,560. (Photo below by Charles Glover)

If you can afford the fare, it's worth every penny.

My tester was wearing specialized "Matte Nebula Gray" skin, dry to the touch and head-turning for sure.  Special instructions from the manufacturer said soap should not be applied to the finish.  Water only.

The vehicle's unique gray appearance was set off dramatically with high-gloss black, 20-inch alloy wheels.

Stepping inside revealed blue leather accents on the sport front seats, shift knob and steering wheel.   

The numerous controls were well within reach of the driver.  The 360-degree view from the cockpit is not perfect, but multiple driver-assist features cancel out that concern.

How is this coupe on the fly?  A dream-come-true.

The 5-liter V-8 rated at 467 horsepower becomes a brute when called upon.  Moving along at 60 miles per hour in freeway traffic, a quick hit on the gas pedal produces a deep engine note and a jump to 80 mph in the time it takes to regain your breath.

Can you get in trouble in this car before you know it?  Yes, count on it.  Does it make your heart race nevertheless?  Also a yes.

The driver can adjust performance levels, by the way.  A mere turn of a knob adjusts transmission/damper settings from something resembling civilized to darn near racetrack mode.  Totally your call.

At one point, I remember thinking: This must be what it feels like to drive the Batmobile.

Not surprisingly, however, this Lexus machine drinks fuel at a fairly brisk rate -- 19 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

The tester was absolutely stuffed with comfort, convenience, safety and driving-enhancement features.  But this being a special "F" 10 Anniversary Edition, my ride also included perks that included triple-beam headlamps, Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, top-flight Brembo brake calipers (in bright blue), a carbon fiber roof and a carbon-fiber, speed-activated rear wing that also can be controlled from the cockpit.

Full disclosure: This was a rare treat for yours truly.  According to Lexus, only 240 of these 10th Anniversary Edition models have been offered for sale in the United States.

So if you crave this limited-edition gem, now is the time to get in touch with your top Lexus contacts and hunt one down.  Take it from me, you won't be disappointed.