Lexus RC F
A novel modification puts a little extra lead in the coupe’s pencil
IKEA. HOME OF THE BILLY bookcase, meatballs and free modifications for the Lexus RC F. You what? Allow me to explain.
A month or so back I received an email from a loyal evo subscriber and Lexus RC F owner called Andrew, who wanted to share a rather neat tweak he’s come across for the RC F. His note went like this: ‘Dear Dickie, it’s great to read your reports on the RC F and to find you are liking it as much as I do. I’ve now owned mine for 27 months and can’t see anything to replace it with; it’s a keeper. I’m writing to offer a 20-pence modification for GY17 OBF, courtesy of the Lexus RC F forum.
‘Under the bonnet, on the front offside, is a square box with a small flexible pipe about as thick as a pencil. Pull the pipe off the box and insert a golf tee (long plastic type) up the pipe. Personally, I’ve got better things to do than play golf so I saved 20p on a tee and used a pink pencil instead.
‘The box has a flap which normally opens at around 4000rpm under heavy throttle. With the golf tee/pencil inserted into the flexible pipe the flap remains open at all rpm. Its adds extra joy when you just want to amble around.’
Intrigued, I did something I never normally do — had a rummage beneath the RC F’s bonnet. There, as described, was the flexible pipe, which detached easily, and a freebie IKEA pencil proved to be the perfect size and length, with a small zip-tie securing it neatly to the adjacent pipe. Job done.
The childish bit of me was hoping for some kind of C63 Amg-style bellow when I started the engine, so I was a little disappointed that the 5-litre V8 remained its polite-yet- purposeful self. However, a quick blat round the block revealed that the IKEA pencil had indeed effected a welcome gain in engine sound when on the move. It hasn’t changed the note or increased the volume, but whereas the RC F’s bellow kicked in like a switch around 4000rpm under wide throttle openings, it now arrives more freely and sounds far less contrived as a result. Organic, almost.
It’s still not animalistic in the manner of an AMG Benz or Jaguar SVR, which is a shame as I’d love to know what the Lexus would sound like properly uncorked. That said, it’s the RC F’s performance and maturity that’s a big part of its appeal. The pencil mod does nothing to detract from that, but does add a little spark to brighten your journey.