Last year, Lexus unveiled a racing-tuned version of its RC F coupe called the RC F GT3. The car will now have a chance to prove itself on the track in a duo of racing series.
Lexus has officially entered the U.S.-based IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The RC F GT3 will also compete in the Super GT series in Lexus’ native Japan.
Both racing series have similar rules and are based on souped-up versions of production cars. The vehicles must have various stock features; they are required to use the same engine and chassis as the models they are based on.
The racecar packs an iteration of the same 5.0-liter V8 engine found in the regular RC F, but this example has been tuned to deliver more than 500 horsepower to its rear wheels via a six-speed transmission.
For the RC F GT3, its first racing appearance will be at the 2017 Rolex 24 at Daytona, the well-known 24-hour race held every year at Florida’s famous Daytona International Speedway. Lexus will go toe-to-toe with racing versions of cars like the Ferrari 488 GTB, Acura NSX, Audi R8, Mercedes-AMG GT, Porsche 911, and Lamborghini Huracán.