IS F CCS-R: Secret RC F Development Car

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year and a half since the arrival of the only Lexus IS F CCS-R in the United States.When the CCS-R was first announced at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon, it was both a surprise and an unknown to what this car was for. Sure it was nearly 700 lbs lighter than stock and had all the right gear for a race car, but it simply had no purpose or so we thought. It was just announced that the only IS-F CCS-R in the U.S.A. has been running an early development 2UR-GSE 5.0L V8 which will utilized the upcoming 2015 RC F coupe. It is unknown to when the new 2UR-GSE was installed, but the new engine ran during the 2013 PPHIC and the 25-Hours of Thunderhill in Northern California.

Since it’s arrival in the U.S., the IS F CCS-R has been on a busy schedule across the country. Its tour of duty has included appearances at several car shows, pacing laps at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, drift exhibition at Formula D, a presence in Las Vegas at the SEMA Show, and was also at first Lexus LFA Owners Event at Laguna Seca with Scott Pruett taking guests on hot laps. The IS F CCS-R has climbed up Pikes Peak twice during the PPHIC in Colorad piloted by pro drifter Ken Gushi in the “Exhibition Class”. Just last month, the CCS-R successfully completed the NASA 25-Hours of Thunderhill in Northern California finishing 4th overall in the “ES” class.  

The Orange Mica IS F Circuit Club Sport Racer is a lightweight, track ready version of the IS F performance sedan.  This project is the brainchild of IS F Chief Engineer, Yukihiko Yaguchi. Built by in-house tuner and fabricatior, Toyota Technocraft a.k.a. TRD Japan, this built to order IS F is a gutted and reinforced USE20 chassis with race ready components. The CCS-R utilizes a stock 2UR-GSE 5.0L V8 co-developed with Yamaha and a stock Aisin AA80E 8 Speed Sport Direct Shift transmission. There are several IS F CCS-R that exist in Japan, three in Germany under the direction of Baumann Logistik, and one in the United States managed by Lexus USA.

I had a chance to talk to RC F Chief Engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi shortly after the global debut in Detroit last week and asked him questions about RC F. One of the questions I asked him was in regards to RC F development and if the IS F CCS-R played a role in it. He didn’t go into great detail but did confirm CCS-R indeed take part it in. If you look back at all the activity of the IS F CCS-R in motorsports events, they’ve been endurance-type of races. Think of the IS F CCS-R as an undercover development vehicle disguised as a race car. I will cover more of my meeting with Yaguchi-san in Detroit on the next write up.

Check out the latest video of the Lexus IS F CCS-R at the 25-Hours of Thunderhill:

Lexus IS F CCS-R Specs:

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase            107.5 in.

Overall Length       187.4 in.

Overall Width         71.5 in.

Overall Height        54.5 in.

WEIGHT

Curb Weight           3,087 lbs. or less (693 lbs. less than stock)

ENGINE

Designation            2UR-GSE

Displacement          5.0L

Horsepower            416 @ 6,600 rpm

Torque                    371 lb.-ft. @ 5,200 rpm

Fuel system            SFI D-4 direct-to-cylinder injection with secondary port injectors

DRIVETRAIN

Layout                    Front engine, rear-wheel drive system

Transmission           8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic with paddle shift and manual mode

EXTERIOR

• Orange mica exterior paint
• Reinforced monocoque (with roll cage)
• Carbon fiber hood, door handles, front fender, front spoiler, front canard, rear spoiler, ventilator
• Polycarbonate windows
• Lightweight door

WHEELS/TIRES

•  SSR
  • 18×8.5J, off-set 30 front
  • 18×9.5J, off-set 40 rear
• Yokohama /ADVAN NEOVA A050 tires
  • 245/40 R18 front
  • 255/40 R18 rear

BRAKES

• Brake cooling system
• Racing brake kit
• Stainless steel mesh brake hose

SUSPENSION

•  Adjustable camber front upper arm
• Modified race suspension
• Reinforced bushings and mounts

EXHAUST

• Racing exhaust system

OTHER MECHANICAL

• Engine oil cooler
• Transmission oil cooler
• Differential oil cooler
• Mechanical LSD

RACING EQUIPMENT

• 120L fuel cell
• Air jack system
• Fire extinguishing system
• Data logger
• Kill switch
• Tow strap

INTERIOR

• Carbon fiber dashboard, center console, door and interior trim
• HANS compatible full bucket driver’s seat
• Lightened interior (delete power windows, door locks, rear seats, roof lining, etc.)
• Six-point seat belt
• Small-diameter steering wheel with paddle shifters

 Source: Lexus USA