Lexus have produced the first pictures of a design study for a GT3 sports car based on the RC F model in the run-up to the Geneva Motor Show (March 6th-16th). The GT3 Lexus is based on the road-going version of the RC F which will be making its European premiere next week in Switzerland and goes on sale at the end of the year.

Lexus and its subsidiary Techno Craft, who constructed the concept car in Japan have put more than two years of development work into the RC R GT3. The RC F GT3 concept is based on the RC F with its powerful V8 engine.

The RC F GT3 concept car is wider and lower than the road-going version of the RC F at 4,705mm in length, 2,000mm wide, 1,270mm high and with a wheelbase of 2,730 mm. Stripped of its interior for racing, the concept car weighs just 1,250 kg. A modified V8 engine taken from the RC F delivers around 540bhp in GT3 guise.

This presentation of the RC F GT3 concept heralds the start of a long-term commitment to GT3 motor racing on the part of Lexus. The first tests are planned for this year. As of 2015, Lexus intend to support teams in racing series for GT3 sports cars, including the ADAC GT Masters.