BMW M4 vs Lexus RC F, Which Super Coupe Would You Take? [w/Poll]

It is hard to imagine a wilder interpretation of Lexus’ answer to the BMW M4 Coupe, the RC F. Based on an already daring design, the RC coupe, the RC F is the type of design that you either love or hate. One can tell designers were given a free hand to make the car as aggressive as possible and my opinion is that, they did a fine job.

The BMW M4 Coupe, on the other hand, features an aggressive styling as well, but seeing the two cars side by side (albeit only in photos) makes it clear to me that the RC F looks more dramatic. To put it another way, I’m sure that if the two cars were to be driven down a crowded boulevard in quick succession, there would be more people turning their heads after the Lexus than the BMW.

Sure, design will always be a matter of personal taste and one could argue that the BMW’s understatement is more appealing and the RC F’s aggressiveness is just too vulgar. Also, let’s not forget that tradition is way more important for BMW than Lexus, with BMW M cars usually featuring more restrained, understated lines than their competitors.

On the other hand, Lexus designers were not constrained by anything other than their imagination and this is why the RC F looks so dramatic. Furthermore, they had a wilder car to work on from the beginning - the standard Lexus RC.

Another difference between the two cars that can’t be spotted in the photos is that the M4 Coupe features a 425hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine, while the RC F is powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 unit with “more than 450hp”.

Scroll down to take a look at the shots of the two cars put side by side and let us know which car is your favorite in the poll that follows.

By Dan Mihalascu

Poll: Which super coupe gets your vote?

PHOTO GALLERY

See the New Lexus RC F's Digital Gauges in Action with Bonus Sound Track

You may be tempted to believe that the following footage was shot outside with the new 2015 Lexus RC F thrashing its 5.0-liter V8 on the road, but it was, in fact, filmed at the brand's Detroit Auto Show stand.

We assume the sounds we hear were pre-recorded and coupled to the instrument panel, which is two-thirds digital, and one third analogue with backlighting, the latter limited to the speedometer.

Lexus says the RC F’s combination meters that differ from the regular RC coupe are a further development of those used in the V10-powered LFA while also referencing aircraft cockpit instruments.

On the center you'll find a large tachometer that alters according to drive mode and which incorporates a digital speedometer and lap time recorder, while on the left hand side, there's a screen that shows differential torque vectoring monitor, G-Force meter, oil and water temperature gauges, mileage information and a stopwatch.

Pretty impressive stuff, don't you think?

You can watch the video, which comes to us courtesy of YouTube user Kaizen Factor, right below the jump.

VIDEO

First Photos of New Lexus RC F with Carbon Package

One of the options boxes you may want to tick if you're interested in the new Lexus RC F high-performance coupe is the Carbon Package. We read about it when the Japanese brand introduced the car at the Detroit auto show earlier this week, but we hadn't seen what it looked like in full dressing.

The available package offers a clear-coated carbon fiber roof, engine hood and active rear wing.

Like us, you may have noticed that, in the following photos, aside from the white RC F that gets the full treatment, there's also a blue-colored model with the carbon fiber roof and rear spoiler, but what looks like a regular hood. We're not sure yet, as information remains limited, but it could be that Lexus may offer buyers the option of a painted or clear-coated carbon fiber bonnet.

Regardless if you order the package, the RC F will come with the same 450+ horsepower 5.0-liter V8 hooked up to an eight-speed Sports Direct Shift (SPDS) automatic transmission turning the rear axle.

PHOTO GALLERY