There is absolutely no reason why Lexus wants to have a presence in the Australian V8 Supercars racing series as a provider of safety cars apart from the fact that BMW has similar gigs in Europe. So they have lobbied to have a Lexus RC F safety car pacing the V8 monsters this season.

The Lexus RC F safety car is a standard RC F, save the lights bar on the roof and stickers on the body. This car is a direct rival for the BMW M4 which serves as the safety car in DTM and a couple of other high-profile series in Europe. Lexus is trying their best not to be outdone by the Germans, hence the V8 Supercars safety car effort.

The partnership with the V8 Supercars organization also provides Lexus with a brilliant opportunity to promote the RC F in the Australian market. The car does not have a motorsport career to boast – at least not yet, as a GT3 racing version is in the works – so being the safety car to a prominent series does give it a bit of credit in the eyes of the superficial customers.

Lexus RC F is powered by a 5.0 liter naturally aspirated V8 engine with over 450 horsepower. It will be joined in the V8 series with a Lexus GS 350 F Sport Course Car and the IS 350 F Sport Medical Car, both of them powered by 320 horsepower V6 engines.