Lexus RC F GT3: Great looking car with a hideous livery.

"Fred (FreddsterExprs)" (freddsterexprs) 02/28/2014 at 05:38 • Filed to: None

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Lexus unveiled their first ever GT3 car: The RC F GT3. GT3 became the go-to category for manufacturers. The reasoning is simple: in contrast to GTE rules, you don't homologate a street going base car that then is modified. GT3 rules just regulate the race car itself, not depending on the actual roadcar itself. That doesn't mean that it's a DTM style silhouette racer, it just offers every make to enter a car very easily without having to build specials like the GT3 RS.

As of now, pretty much every big make has a car eligible for competition: VW alone offers 4 (911 GT3 R, R8 LMS, Gallardo FL600, Bentley Continental GT), BMW and Mercedes have been there for some time as well. The US jumped on the bandwagon with Callaway Corvettes, Camaros, Vipers and Ford GTs offered for customers.

The Lexus RC F joins late, but given Toyotas experience with GT cars (GT500, Gazoo LF-A), I don't doubt that it will be on pace.

GT3 rules are widespread, and possible series for racing it are TUSC in GTD, Super GT, Blancpain Endurance Series and both the ELMS and AsLMS.

I just hope they change the livery. Not only is it boring, it also looks dirt cheap.

Pitchblende > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 05:58

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I kind of like the livery, but I wouldn't worry about it, no-one will ever race with it (hopefully, anyway), they will paint it their own colours and cover it with sponsors.

Is that hole in the side the exhaust outlet?

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Pitchblende 02/28/2014 at 06:28

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Yeah, that's the exhaust.

I know that the teams will paint them their way, but still. Who on earth signed this of as an good idea?!

Mikeado > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 06:35

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Super GT? That would be odd seeing the same model racing in both classes...

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Mikeado 02/28/2014 at 06:37

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I wonder if a TUSC team will use it. Nissan is rumoured to bring two GT-Rs starting mid season.

samssun > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 06:53

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Anybody else think it's a hideous car with a great livery? Like the LFA, the front has no coherent design, it's like people who don't care about cars tried to mimic actual designers by slapping together random "sporty" shapes.

TheKingOfBirds > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 07:18

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I'm no engineer but that grille must play havoc with aero. It's huge!

mr_gofast > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 07:32

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agreed - its atrocious - tacky even.

Old-Busted-Hotness > TheKingOfBirds 02/28/2014 at 07:35

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Like most modern grilles, it's 10% opening, 30% bumper bar, 60% useless aggro.

Citolev > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 07:42

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Just imagine how scary has to be to be racing and watch that enormous grille appear in your rearview mirror...

jimmyjet > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 07:42

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Dat fascia

ragnaroc2005 > TheKingOfBirds 02/28/2014 at 07:42

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idk about that, just with my mind i think that they'd be able to block it off like OBH said, i'd think they'd be a bit excited about the extra large grill since they could easily route some of the openings to components that fail easily from heat and keep things like brakes cooler; but thats just my thinking

Eric Sundell > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 07:44

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Minus the grille I think its a good looking car. Surely someone makes an aftermarket front bumper for this car, or could. I mean shoot, I could build my own out of fiber glass or something

MOSammy > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 07:46

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I believe this paint scheme is called "Alaskan Pipeline Spill."

seriouslywhyiskinjastillterrible > samssun 02/28/2014 at 07:47

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Yeah, I think the livery isn't the problem, maybe its not great, but its the rest of it that look rather hideous to me.

MMinSC > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 07:47

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seriouslywhyiskinjastillterrible > Citolev 02/28/2014 at 07:49

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Id just let it pass. though the rear isn't pretty either.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > MOSammy 02/28/2014 at 07:51

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Sky Blue > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 07:52

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MOSammy > samssun 02/28/2014 at 07:52

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Truth be told, I dig it. I think that the grille is ridiculous, but it works for me as a part of a vehicle built to race. I also like the livery... different, which is good in a world of copycats. I applaud the risks all around.

Sky Blue > jimmyjet 02/28/2014 at 07:52

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Ever noticed his mouth looks like a big vagina?

angusparvo > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 07:52

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I don't think the livery is awful, but it's not especially thrilling either. It could use some more work.

Menebrio > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 07:53

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Looks rounder than usual (might be the white). I'm sure he'd even prefer a more aggressive front to inspire fear in the rear view mirror. Because beige can bite-back.

jimmyjet > Sky Blue 02/28/2014 at 07:54

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No. Vaginal dentata is the stuff of nightmares.

Captain_Spadaro > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 07:55

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Its not terrible. If the amazing Technicolor theme was splashed all over the car, though, I'd be tripping balls.

DoctorNine > TheKingOfBirds 02/28/2014 at 08:01

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Its shape will produce a high pressure zone that will act as the real transition zone, over which the slipstream will pass. It doesn't have any large projections jutting out into the flow, and is roughly bullet shaped, so it should be fine.

typhoonegator > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:04

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Hart88 > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:05

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Ecurie Ecosse say "isn't that cute".

UserNotFound > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:09

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I think it's a hideous car with a great livery.

DoctorNine > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:10

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I like the livery a lot.

Particularly the rainbow-over-white colors.

Reborn Pyrrhic > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:12

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That ginormous gaping maw of a front grille is ugly. The rest of the far looks good.

WillyJimmy > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:14

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I kinda like it. I don't get the hate with the Lexus styling anyway, it's one of the few cars that doesn't look like every other car on the road. I like the classic paint schemes same as anyone, Martini, Gulf, those smokin hot Lotus racers through the years, but I also like to see fresh ideas. I dig the whole high-tech clean room feel of the RC F.

Sky Blue > jimmyjet 02/28/2014 at 08:16

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It literally is a toothed vagina, look at it! The old face hugger aliens have a big vagina with a tube coming out of it as well. Look!

notoriousEIC > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:18

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I think the livery is irrelevant. This isn't what any of these cars will actually look like when raced. At that point they will have sponsor colors and graphics and have a plethora of stickers on the flanks.

Straightsix9904 > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:19

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The swirls look pretty good actually. The lettering I could do w/o.

All in all, I like it.

jimmyjet > Sky Blue 02/28/2014 at 08:20

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This is well documented by our good friends at Cracked.com

SupersonicATX > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:22

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the tires really tall to me.. like NASCAR'y tall

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > Mikeado 02/28/2014 at 08:23

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It could race in GT300 (I think).

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:23

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Hey, the more GT manufacturers the better. Now if only we could get some GTE works teams...

W.C.Winger > Pitchblende 02/28/2014 at 08:23

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I'm guessing here... but Id think the hole in the side is the jacking point, one for each side... and not an exhaust port. The car sits so low to the ground — you'd never get a jack under it (and I'm sure they need to change tires sometime).

philphil > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:26

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The shape of a grille should reflect the necessary vents on the nose of the car, not just a painted-on scowl that looks like it was done by a child. This Lexus design is shit.

This will be the only car in the race that will be improved after piling it into the wall.

philphil > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:27

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Ooo! The sparkly vinyl is FAB-YOU-LUSSSSSS, girlfriend!

daender > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:28

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It reminds me of how McLaren placed GTR all over their prototype.

heeltoehero > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:31

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Honestly, I think the Spindle Grill only looks good when integrated into the front splitter. This GT3 car fixes every problem I previously had with the shape of the RC-F, which was mostly the width at the bottom of the Spindle Grill (too damn wide), the entire rear bumper (the bumper looked way too chunky for the car) and the hood height (the tall hood to fit the V8 made the car visually heavier above the belt line, which was awkward and ungainly. lowering the car and making the bumper more aggressive visually balances that out.)

W.C.Winger > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:32

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If that car is intended to be licensed and streetable, the owner would be spending a fortune in repairs to the bodywork. That splitter is gone with the first speed hump or curb. When I bought one of the first Trans-Am Firebirds in 1970 (yeah, I know they had a limited edition Formula 400 in 1969 with blue stripes on white that had T/A markings on it), I learned very quickly that anything that came so close to the ground was doomed from the get-go. Within the first 6 months of ownership, I'd had to replace the plastic air dam half a dozen times. Although there are things one can avoid, all the hazards to low-hanging bodywork cannot be avoided. I found out the hard way driving down a two-track dirt road — that my T/A made a good road grader, just not for very long distances.

Sky Blue > jimmyjet 02/28/2014 at 08:32

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Thanks...now i'll never be able to look at that franchise the same ever again.

bpromersberger > MOSammy 02/28/2014 at 08:40

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I was thinking 4th grade trapper keeper.

C-5M Load Smasher > DoctorNine 02/28/2014 at 08:41

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Scienced.

C-5M Load Smasher > W.C.Winger 02/28/2014 at 08:43

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You do realize this is a race car... not street legal in anyway shape or form...

damnthisburnershitsux > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:43

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it's the rainbow connection

MOSammy > bpromersberger 02/28/2014 at 08:44

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well done, sir.

AdrianTheRed > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:45

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Awful. Next question.

Autolegend86 > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:49

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GT3 is a great category but i'm a little upset by Toyota ceasing development of the LFA GTE.

Toyota was more than capable of finishing and running their GTE LFA project alongside the TS030/TS040.

No if Honda got its act together with the NSX, and Ford built the new Mustang into a proper GT car, next generation of FIA/ACO GT regs would be amazing.

DoctorNine > C-5M Load Smasher 02/28/2014 at 08:50

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Indeed.

BeaterGT > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 08:54

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Worst looking of the bunch I'd say.

Autolegend86 > Mikeado 02/28/2014 at 08:56

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Nissan ran both Z33s, Honda ran the NSX in both.

Now Nissan is running the DTM based R35 with the R35 GT3.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Autolegend86 02/28/2014 at 08:57

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I had a discussion about the LFA before, and I said the same thing. I even said that it would have been enough to just run 2 LFAs in the ALMS - they would gain a lot of fans by the sound alone.

But as it was rightfully pointed out: Developing cost for a competitive GTE car are really high, and if they didn't want it to run behind, they would have to take serious money into their hands. And I would rather see them invest into the TSO40.

Autolegend86 > W.C.Winger 02/28/2014 at 08:58

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You seriously think what you're looking at is meant for you to drive in LA traffic?

Major_Error > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:03

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The automotive equivalent of Butterface...

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:04

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I think it looks good. After all, this is just the plain car. Teams will repaint it in their own liveries anyways.

comeandgo > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:09

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If it wasn't white it probably wouldn't be so bad...

Dsscats > samssun 02/28/2014 at 09:10

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Thank you! What the fuck were lexus thinking when they put that grill on EVERYTHING!? It's awful!

Raul > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:12

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What's the point of a grille this large if you aren't letting any air in for cooling?

StuckLikeChuck > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:12

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I was ok with it until I saw that shot from the back. Looks like something my daughter would create.

Autolegend86 > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:13

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Toyotas budget on LMP1 is a fraction of Audi Sport.

Toyota really hasn't spent that much on motorsport recently compared to other brands.

Speaking of twin programs.
Porsche not only brought out an LMP1 but also took the GTE program in house.

macanamera > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:19

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Ike B > samssun 02/28/2014 at 09:19

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Yeah that's what came to mind. When looking at a car whose bodywork is so absurdly (functionally uselessly) low that the wheel arches actually start curving back in on the wheels again , the first thing to spring to mind shouldn't be a bitchy critique of the artwork.

When your car has more wheel gap than ground clearance, you have more to worry about than your avant garde tribute to Hypercolor.

GTRB26 > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:21

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I think the livery is ok. It seems to fit the Japanese philosophy of keeping things simple and minimal. Kind of Japan's take on the M livery before all the sponsors tagged their logos on it.

chad.j > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:24

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Ack....Lexus - lose the grills. Damn...

CleverUsername > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:29

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It looks like it's melting.

asmallcat > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:42

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The car looks great. The livery is super late-80's-to-early-90's to me. Not my personal cup of tea, but if you like that aesthetic I see how you could like paint job.

crown victor victoria > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:46

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When it comes to rainbow motifs, I think BMW did a better job overall

This "captures the essence of speed" or whatever highfalutin design language you want to use. But that doesn't mean the RC F GT3 is terrible. I like what they did, too, but just not as much.

Plus, the fact that BMW allowed these atrocities to happen returns them to livery karmic zero:

thisusernameforsale > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:49

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I'm not sold on the car, but as an abstract artist I think the livery doesn't go far enough. It may well have looked more coherent if they covered more of the car. The 'RC2' side reminds me of one of those public LCD news tickers.

jimmyjet > Sky Blue 02/28/2014 at 09:49

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I'm just here for the cars. There are many other sites where I can look at vaginas. The other commenters there hate me because I keep talking about cars.

xtrappedunderricex > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:49

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i cannot stand that extra LED strip below the head lamps. and yes, the grille is intolerable.

but i kinda like the rest of the car.

TheLateApx > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 09:51

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If you put a pretty dress on a hyena then what are you left with? A hyena in a pretty dress.

Mad Man Ryan > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 10:01

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I'm sorry, but that thing looks like a piece of beige fell into a vat of LSD. Not only is it not inspiring, it looks like they only spent time in the lights, which are terrible to begone with. Beige meets widebodies. Blah.

Cixelsyd > Straightsix9904 02/28/2014 at 10:02

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I'm in this line. Had they kept the swirls all over, I think it would be spectacular.

Josh > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 10:08

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They can make it as ugly as they want. I don't think I'll be interested until they start putting manual transmissions in their cars again.

rennsportv12 > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 10:21

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Looks fucking DISGUSTING.

LJ909 > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 10:22

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Personally I think its trying too hard. Like its trying to be a work of are instead of a race car.

El Relámpago(LZone) - Humanity First! > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 10:24

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But meh, I don't see why they didn't went for the GTE, since the RC F street car already exists, homologation would've been a piece of cake, I would've loved to see the RC F racing at Le Mans.

JcanRacer > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 10:30

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Love the front, Hate the back.
Am I alone in this?

TommyK154 > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 10:32

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More like hideous car with a great looking livery. The front is just so far out of proportion. The headlights are wayyyyy too small not only in relation to the grille but also to the entire body

ksmay71 > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 10:43

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What I immediately thought of: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1075904_t…

This car is horrible.

ksmay71 > ksmay71 02/28/2014 at 10:48

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Wow. Officially the first time my image has gotten Kinja'd.

Pessimippopotamus > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 10:48

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I thought the normal RC F was ugly enough. Leave it out in the sun for a day and look what happens.

Blakkar > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 10:52

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I am just not a fan of those headlights. The grill I'm getting over (I still don't like that either), but those DRLs look juvenile and more than a little stupid, like the designers wanted something there and settled on the worst of several dozen options.

Maxaxle > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 11:10

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Sides are nice...

Maxaxle > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 11:10

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AARGH

Mister Win Blames People, Not Guns > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 11:12

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I actually like the livery-I'm a fan of rainbows, and iridescent materials in general, and would definitely coat a car in glitter just for the lulz-but there needs to be more of it. This looks like they had this crazy whole-car thing going on, then panicked and got rid of most of it, but didn't have time to think of anything else.

My solution is simple: Replace all the white with the deepest, darkest black you can percieve with your eyes open, then add ten coats of the clearest clearcoat you can coat clearly. Then, instead of looking unfinished and bland, it looks unsettling and sinister, which is good for a race car. Plus the extra weight will be good for traction.

Also, with all that clearcoat,

BJ > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 11:15

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Personally, I'm not a fan of the current Lexus grille, but imagine seeing that thing come up behind you on the track. It looks a bit scary!

The rest of the car looks like a GT3 car, and I like it. As for the livery, I think it's fun. It's got people talking, which was probably the intended effect.

Nafta Super > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 11:48

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Is the kind of car you are happy to have in front of you but you don't want to have in your mirror... Its front is ugly as fuck.

MoparKetchup > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 12:05

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Brosenkranz > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 12:50

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You mean these guys are using rear tires on the front now too?

Brosenkranz > TheKingOfBirds 02/28/2014 at 12:52

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Most front features don't really bother aero much. Things like those fake textured grilles, sunken headlights and fog lights, etc. They just fill with stagnant air at speed and don't contribute much to drag. It's actually the air that goes through the openings and is slowed by the engine compartment and cooling aparatuses that contribute more to drag.

Steven Phillips Photography > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 13:06

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Hideous car, hideous livery.

frankie fizz > Fred (FreddsterExprs) 02/28/2014 at 13:08

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hideous...i'll take this:

Pitchblende > W.C.Winger 02/28/2014 at 13:30

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Racecar, it'll have air jacks built in. I don't see it on the pictures but there'll be a connector for the high pressure air hose either in front of the windscreen or on the rear somewhere.

Sttocs > samssun 02/28/2014 at 13:53

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No coherent design?

Sttocs > TheKingOfBirds 02/28/2014 at 13:55

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It's been getting bigger. I'd see a doctor about it, it might be malignant.