Drool over a very angry, very carbon Lexus RC F

If you needed any more proof that GT3 race cars are cool as fudge, then sneak a peek at Lexus’ latest stripped out racer, the RC F GT3.

Based on the Japanese firm’s naturally-aspirated V8 M4 rival – y’know, the one that looks like it’s played FaceSwap with Predator – now the fast coupe has put on a suit of bare carbon armour to go racing in the US, Japan and take on the rowdiest race of them all, the Nürburgring 24 hours.

To get race-ready, the GT3 has had quite the Trinny and Susannah makeover. First off, the slow but soulful V8 engine has grown from 5.0-litres to a race-stroked and angry 5.4-litres. And gone is the indecisive eight-speed gearbox, that's been replaced with a no-bones-about-it six-speed sequential race special. Then it was put on an incredibly strict diet – all luxuries were binned in favour of performance until it sat on the scales at a round FIA-regulated 1,300kg.

As you can see, there have been some not unsubstantial aerodynamic enhancements: foot-wide flared arches, more holes then a sieve and then that stonking rear wing plonked on the back. Oh, and a red tow rope dangling out of the front grille like one of those cheeky emojis you teenagers like to use. 

Set to hit tracks around the world later this year, Lexus hopes that teams can continue the Super GT success the RC F had in Japan last year where Team SARD and drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Kohei Hirate claimed the team and drivers’ championship titles in the GT500 class.

Now Lexus, when are you going to give us a road-going version?