Lexus RC F GT3 (2017–2026)
The Lexus RC F GT3 is a front-engined FIA GT3 coupe built around a 5.4-litre version of the road car's 2UR V8. It raced from 2017 to 2026 in IMSA, Super GT, GT World Challenge and the WEC. For buyers it is a rare, works-supported car near the end of its factory life.
History
Lexus showed the RC F GT3 concept at the Geneva show in March 2014 11. Early cars raced without homologation in Super GT GT300 and the VLN SP-X class. The car won its VLN class on debut in 2015 11. European development ran through Farnbacher Racing and Emil Frey Racing 9. The RC F name also raced in Super GT GT500 from 2014 to 2016, a separate purpose-built car that won the 2016 title 11.
The GT3 project struggled. In September 2015 the car missed the FIA balance of performance test at Ladoux, and homologation slipped to 2017 9. In May 2016 Lexus handed the design to its most senior engineers in Japan and sent a development engine to the test cars 10. The finished, FIA-homologated car was shown at Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2017 1. It debuted at the 2017 Rolex 24 at Daytona with two 3GT Racing cars in GTD 1.
From 2019 the IMSA cars ran under AIM Vasser Sullivan 14. The first IMSA win came at Mid-Ohio in 2018 11. By March 2024 Lexus and Vasser Sullivan had 13 wins, 39 podiums and 19 poles with the car 6. They also won the 2023 GTD Pro manufacturers' title 6. Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat won the 2023 GTD Pro drivers' crown 5. In Japan, K-tunes Racing won two GT300 races in 2018 and finished second in the 2019 standings 13. Emil Frey Racing and Tech1 Racing raced it in GT World Challenge Europe until 2020 5.
Akkodis ASP took the car to the WEC in 2024 as the RC F LMGT3, with revised aerodynamics 5. It won in Brazil and Bahrain in 2025 7 and finished second in class at Le Mans in 2026 16. Toyota will end the Lexus Racing programme after the 2026 season, with Gazoo Racing USA taking over from 2027 8. The Toyota GR GT3 is the planned successor 11.
Palmarès
The RC F GT3 debuted at the 2017 Rolex 24 at Daytona 1 and took its first IMSA win at Mid-Ohio in 2018 11. With Vasser Sullivan it scored 13 wins, 39 podiums and 19 poles by March 2024 6. GTD Pro endurance wins include Petit Le Mans 2022, Watkins Glen 2023 and Sebring 2024 6. It won the 2023 GTD Pro manufacturers' title 6 and the drivers' title for Hawksworth and Barnicoat 5. In Super GT GT300, K-tunes won two races in 2018 and was runner-up in 2019 13. In the WEC, Akkodis ASP won in Brazil and Bahrain in 2025 7 and took Lexus's first Le Mans podium in 2026 16.
What to check before you buy
Match the chassis plate to its race record in public archives: Some chassis raced very hard; RCF GT3-0007 alone logged 89 entries. Ask for engine km since the last rebuild and the rebuild invoice: The factory interval in IMSA was 10,000 km, done by TRD. Confirm the ABS system is Bosch, not Continental: Bosch arrived with the 2018 Evo and marks an updated car. Identify the aero package (IMSA, Super GT or LMGT3) and which kits come with the car: LMGT3 bodywork differs from the original and spares were very limited. Ask how long the car has stood and what was refreshed: Cars parked for two or three years needed rebuilding before racing. Get written confirmation from your target series that the car's homologation is accepted: The original seven-year homologation was stated to run through 2023. Check the Cosworth engine controller and data system are included and unlocked: The car runs a Cosworth controller and WEC cars carry extra FIA loggers.
Versions and evolutions
| Version | Years | What changed | How to identify |
|---|---|---|---|
| RC F GT3 development car | 2014–2016 | Pre-homologation car raced in Super GT GT300 and VLN SP-X; later fitted with a development engine ahead of the final spec. 10 | Race history before 2017 only; no FIA GT3 homologation. Ask whether the car was ever updated to the 2017 spec. |
| RC F GT3 (homologated) | 2017 | FIA-homologated customer GT3 car revealed at Tokyo Auto Salon 2017, debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. 1 | Chassis plates in the RCF GT3-00xx series appear on the earliest IMSA cars in race archives. |
| RC F GT3 first Evo | 2018 onwards | Mainly serviceability updates and a switch from Continental to Bosch ABS. 4 | Check the ABS unit brand: Bosch means the Evo update is fitted. |
| RC F GT3, 2019–2020 IMSA seasons | 2019–2020 | No power changes; Toyota said in June 2020 the homologated car allowed none. A second Evo was being considered for 2021. 2 | Documentation from Vasser Sullivan or TRD for any later kit; no confirmed second Evo was found. |
| RC F LMGT3 | 2024 onwards | New front splitter, front bumper, rear fenders, rear wing and side skirts for less downforce and drag; extra FIA data loggers. Mechanically unchanged. 5 | Different splitter and wing from IMSA cars; WEC data logging hardware fitted. |
Known issues
- Engine life is short and rebuilds were centralised at TRD — IMSA engines were rebuilt every 10,000 km, about twice a season, by TRD in Costa Mesa, California. 2
- Early cars carry the original Continental ABS — The 2018 Evo replaced Continental ABS with Bosch; an un-updated car may need the kit to match current support. 4
- LMGT3 carbon aero parts are scarce — At its 2024 homologation ASP had only one spare front splitter after production spares were made around Christmas. 5
- Stored cars need a full rebuild — Cars that came from Japan to ASP had not run for two or three years and needed rebuilding before racing. 5
- Ageing design and weight — Designed in 2015, the car sat outside the WEC aero window without updates, and its team manager called it a little heavy. 3
- Factory programme ends after 2026 — Lexus Racing closes after its tenth season; long-term parts support for a Lexus-badged GT3 is not documented. 8
Checklist before you buy
- Match the chassis plate to its race record in public archives. — Some chassis raced very hard; RCF GT3-0007 alone logged 89 entries. 14
- Ask for engine km since the last rebuild and the rebuild invoice. — The factory interval in IMSA was 10,000 km, done by TRD. 2
- Confirm the ABS system is Bosch, not Continental. — Bosch arrived with the 2018 Evo and marks an updated car. 4
- Identify the aero package (IMSA, Super GT or LMGT3) and which kits come with the car. — LMGT3 bodywork differs from the original and spares were very limited. 5
- Ask how long the car has stood and what was refreshed. — Cars parked for two or three years needed rebuilding before racing. 5
- Get written confirmation from your target series that the car's homologation is accepted. — The original seven-year homologation was stated to run through 2023. 4
- Check the Cosworth engine controller and data system are included and unlocked. — The car runs a Cosworth controller and WEC cars carry extra FIA loggers. 2
Running costs 2
| Rebuild interval | Engine rebuild every 10,000 km in IMSA use, about twice a season 2 |
|---|---|
| Typical rebuild cost | unknown; no public figure found |
| Consumables | Restrictor and power set by balance of performance; Xtrac sequential gearbox and Öhlins dampers need specialist service 23 |
| Spares availability | Factory support through TRD in the US and Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe aero work in 2024; carbon aero spares were limited 25 |
Where it races today
- IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship · GTD Pro and GTD — Vasser Sullivan entered both classes in 2026, the last Lexus Racing season. 8
- FIA World Endurance Championship · LMGT3 — Akkodis ASP ran two RC F LMGT3s in 2026; requires the LMGT3 aero and logging updates. 7
- Super GT · GT300 — Raced by LM Corsa and K-tunes Racing; current entries not confirmed. 13
- GT World Challenge Asia (Japan Cup) · GT3 — K-tunes Racing entered an RC F GT3 in 2022 and 2023. 13
- GT World Challenge Europe · GT3 — Raced by Emil Frey Racing and Tech1 Racing until 2020; check current acceptance. 5
Market prices
No public asking prices or auction results for an RC F GT3 were found as of November 2026, and RCN showed no Lexus race car listings on 6 November 2026 17. Sales appear to happen privately between teams.
Reference prices are dated and sourced; live asking prices are in the listings above.
Frequently asked questions
How many RC F GT3s were built?
Lexus has not published a production total. Race archives show chassis plates in RCF GT3-00xx, -01xx and -02xx series, with RCF GT3-0231 the highest among the most-raced cars. That numbering does not prove a total, so treat the car as rare and research each chassis on its own.
Who rebuilds the engine, and how often?
In IMSA the 5.4-litre V8 was rebuilt every 10,000 km, about twice a season, by TRD in Costa Mesa, California. Ask for the km since the last rebuild and the paperwork. Outside the US, confirm who will do the work before buying, because no public rebuild network is documented.
Can I still race it in GT3?
In 2026 it still runs in IMSA GTD and GTD Pro and in WEC LMGT3. TRD said in 2020 the seven-year homologation ran through 2023, so get written confirmation from your chosen series that your car's specification is accepted, especially for national or club GT3 grids.
Is the LMGT3 car different from the IMSA car?
ASP says it is mechanically the same. The LMGT3 car has a new splitter, bumper, rear fenders, wing and side skirts, giving less downforce and drag, plus extra FIA data loggers. If you buy one, ask whether the earlier aero parts come with it for other series.
What happens to support after 2026?
Toyota ends the Lexus Racing programme after the 2026 season and Gazoo Racing USA takes over from 2027. The Toyota GR GT3 is the planned replacement. Long-term spares commitments for the RC F GT3 are not published, so ask TRD or Toyota Gazoo Racing directly before committing.
What does an RC F GT3 cost?
No public asking prices or auction results were found as of November 2026. Cars appear to change hands privately between teams. Budget for an engine rebuild, a gearbox service and aero spares on top of the purchase price, and compare against other GT3 cars of similar age.
Sources
- LEXUS RC F GT3 Revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2017, Toyota Gazoo Racing (2017-01) — FIA homologation, reveal, Daytona debut, 3GT Racing entries
- Questions Answered: Lexus RC F GT3, Toyota Racing (Toyota Motor Sales USA) (2020-06) — 2UR base, 5.4 litres, 10,000 km rebuild at TRD Costa Mesa, Cosworth controller, 7,200 rpm, 500 hp plus
- The Lexus RC F GT3 Differs From the Road Car in Fascinating Ways, The Drive (2022-05) — Xtrac 6-speed transaxle, dry sump, Öhlins, carbon body, wheelbase, weight remarks
- Second Evo Possible for Lexus RC F GT3 in 2021, Sportscar365 (2020-01) — 2018 Evo, Bosch ABS, seven-year homologation through 2023
- Policand: Lexus LMGT3 Updates Focused on Aerodynamics, Sportscar365 (2024-02) — LMGT3 aero changes, spares, stored cars, GTWC Europe history, 2023 GTD Pro title
- Victory for No. 14 RC F GT3 etches Lexus, Vasser Sullivan in Sebring history books, Lexus USA Newsroom (2024-03) — Sebring 2024 win, programme totals, 2023 manufacturers' title
- Akkodis unveils new-look Lexus for LMGT3 title tilt, FIA WEC (2026-01) — 2026 WEC entry, 2025 wins in Brazil and Bahrain
- Lexus Racing program ends with 2026 season, Lexus Enthusiast (2026-04) — End of Lexus Racing after 2026, GR USA from 2027, 2026 IMSA entries
- Unpicking The Lexus GT3 Saga, DailySportsCar (2015-09) — Development partners, missed Ladoux BoP test, homologation delay, Gentilozzi
- Lexus RC F GT3 updates: new design team, new engine, Detroit withdrawal, DailySportsCar (2016-05) — 2016 redesign and development engine
- Lexus RC, Wikipedia (2026) — Geneva 2014 concept, VLN 2015 class win, weight and dimensions, GT500 2016 title, first IMSA win 2018, GR GT3 successor
- Lexus RC F finishes first in Super GT300 round 3, third in Blancpain GT Series, Lexus Enthusiast (2018-05) — K-tunes Suzuka win, Nitta record
- K-tunes Racing, Wikipedia (2026) — GT300 results 2018–2019, GT World Challenge Asia entries
- Complete Archive of Chassis RCF GT3-0007, Racing Sports Cars (2026) — AIM Vasser Sullivan from 2019, chassis usage
- Lexus RC F, Racing Sports Cars (2026) — Chassis number series
- Lexus achieves its first podium place at the Le Mans 24 Hours, Lexus UK Media (2026-06) — Le Mans 2026 second and fourth in LMGT3, first Lexus podium
- Racing Car Network search: lexus rc f, Racing Car Network (2026-11) — No Lexus race car listings on 6 November 2026
Did you know
- K-tunes driver Morio Nitta's Suzuka GT300 win in May 2018 was his 19th in the class, tying the all-time record 12.
- Second place at Le Mans in 2026 was Lexus's first podium at the race, on its third appearance 16.
- The same chassis, RCF GT3-0007, raced for Vasser Sullivan from 2019 into 2022, logging 89 archive entries 14.
In the marketplace now
View all →No exact Lexus RC F GT3 (2017–2026) listed right now — here is closely related machinery on the market.
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