The RC F GT3 was developed to transition Lexus into global customer racing within the Group GT3 category. It was first previewed as a concept at the 2014 Geneva International Motor Show. The vehicle was designed as a racing derivative of the RC F (XC10 series), a "Radical Coupe" that utilized a hybrid platform combining the front end of the Lexus GS (L10), the midsection of the XE20 IS convertible, and the rear componentry of the XE30 IS.
Before its formal global homologation, the car underwent development through participation in the Super GT GT300 class and the SP-X class of the VLN endurance series. The RC F GT3 is one of the longest-serving vehicles in its category, having remained in active competition for a decade.
The RC F GT3 is powered by a modified version of the 5.0-liter 2UR-GSE V8 engine found in the road-going RC F. While the production engine utilizes an Atkinson cycle at cruising speeds for efficiency, the racing variant is optimized for the sustained high-output demands of endurance competition.
The chassis features extensive aerodynamic modifications compared to the standard RC F, which was noted for a heavy curb weight that impacted its performance against road-going competitors. The GT3 variant incorporates specialized cooling ducts, fender vents, and a large rear wing to manage airflow and downforce. The racing version followed the design language of the 2018 RC facelift, which merged the L-shaped daytime running lights and triple-eye LED headlights into a single unit.
The RC F GT3 officially entered global competition in 2017. In Europe, the car was campaigned by Emil Frey Racing and Tech 1 Racing in the Blancpain GT Series and GT World Challenge Europe. This European program continued until 2020, when Lexus withdrew customer support for the region.
In North America, the car has been a consistent entry in the IMSA SportsCar Championship since 2017. Its most significant achievement in the series occurred in 2023, when Vasser Sullivan Racing secured the GTD Pro Manufacturers' title for Lexus. For the 2024 season, the RC F GT3 expanded its reach into the FIA World Endurance Championship, competing in the LMGT3 class with the Akkodis ASP Team.
Domestically in Japan, the RC F GT3 is a regular contender in the Super GT and Super Taikyu Series. It followed the success of the GT500-class RC F, which claimed the Super GT title in 2016 with drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Kohei Hirate before being replaced in that specific class by the Lexus LC.
The RC F GT3 was developed to meet the specific technical regulations of the FIA Group GT3 category, allowing it to compete in diverse series worldwide through Balance of Performance (BoP) adjustments. While the racing variant adhered to GT3 standards, the road-going RC models faced different regulatory challenges; in November 2021, the RC line was pulled from the Australian market following the introduction of stricter crash safety regulations.
The RC F GT3 is scheduled to conclude its competitive tenure following the 2025 season. Lexus announced that production of the RC and RC F road cars will end in November 2025, marked by a "Final Edition" RC F featuring carbon fiber components and a 10.3-inch touchscreen. In motorsport, the RC F GT3 is set to be replaced by the Toyota GR GT3 starting in 2026.
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