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To be honest, Lexus doesn't have much of a high-performance history. The company has produced a few impressively quick vehicles, like the IS F and LFA, and it's had some success in racing as well. In general though, the Japanese luxury manufacturer isn't known for creating pavement-shredding, pulse-pounding vehicles. That could change with the new RC F; Lexus' new sports coupe is a modern performance car that calls forth the spirit of many classic sports cars.

It's more than just the front-engine, rear-drive layout and the brilliant blue color that call to mind cars like the Shelby 427 Cobra. Based on the new RC coupe, the RC F has a purposeful and hunkered-down look that speaks loudly of modern performance. The car can back up that claim as well, with a 5.0 liter 32-valve V8 under the hood producing 450 horsepower. The RC F routes that power through an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, and includes a torque vectoring system to keep everything headed in the direction the driver wants. An active rear spoiler and functional air outlet on the hood improve downforce at higher speeds.

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This car is all about performance, but the engine has the unique ability to switch between high-efficiency Atkinson and high-performance Otto-cycle operation. Most hybrids use the Atkinson cycle for their gasoline engines, and the RC F utilizes the more efficient mode when cruising to save fuel. Open the throttle up, and the car automatically switches back to the more conventional Otto cycle.

The RC F goes on sale later this year, as an early 2015 model.