The 2017 Lexus RC-F. |
Seriously. This IS the Batmobile. Okay, so I'm not Batman (tragically) nor is Mrs. TireKicker Robin (thankfully).
We did have an adventure planned. One that didn't include crimefighting. We were off in search of beauty unknown in Gotham City. And, as regular readers know, for us, that usually involves a lot of twisty back roads.
Map of Folsom, CA to Oakhurst, CA (source: Google Maps) |
CA State Route 120, Tioga Pass in 1963. |
Too bad, because, while there is some beautiful scenery up there on Tioga (Mrs. TireKicker, then known as "Navigator", and I drove it three-plus years ago), it's nothing compared to the Yosemite Valley. And I still hadn't been there.
Tioga Pass is a much better road today, but I live on the west side of the Sierra now. So it's an easy run. About three hours and 15 minutes down historic CA 49, a quick jog onto CA 120 before it begins climbing and down into the valley from TireKicker World Headquarters in Folsom, California. The map shows Oakhurst as our final destination because that's where we spent our nights, driving back in to the park for three days.
Highway 49 runs through California's historic Gold Country....it's 95 percent winding two-lane roads. As is Highway 41 between Oakhurst and Yosemite Valley. Exactly the right environment for the 2017 Lexus RC-F.
2017 Lexus RC-F. |
2017 Lexus RC-F instrumentation. |
There are three settings, Standard, Track and Slalom. I chose Slalom for two reasons. One: I suck on the track (something I found out first-hand at the 2016 Western Automotive Journalists Media Days at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca), and two, these roads really are a lot like slalom courses.
Understand: There's nothing wrong with the RC-F before you select SPORT S or dial up "Slalom" on the TVD. But do those two things, and it's like the car is reading the road. The thing simply sticks like glue, responding to your inputs rightthissecond.
And, for such a powerful beast, the fuel economy isn't horrendous...an EPA-estimated 16 city/25 highway, which we fell a tiny bit short of at 22.5 mpg on the road. But then, Highways 49 and 41 aren't a straight, flat stretch of interstate, either.
All this made getting there at least half the fun, but nothing can prepare the uninitiated for Yosemite.
Half Dome, Yosemite National Park. |
2017 Lexus RC-F. |
That's a very complete car. But it's a Lexus, and so there were options:
- 19-inch split ten-spoke forged alloy wheels (in place of the standard 19-inch five-spokes), $850.
- Premium triple-beam LED headlamps, $1,160. My only beef: They were aimed a shade too low for the dark woods at night. The car also needs but doesn't have fog lamps.
- Leather-trimmed interior, $800.
- Navigation system with an upgraded 17-speaker, 835-watt Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system. Worth every penny of $2,550.
- A performance package with carbon fiber roof, carbon rear wing and torque vectoring differential, $5,500 and worth it for the TVD alone.
- A premium package with heated and ventilated front seats with driver seat memory, carbon fiber interior trim, blind spot monitor with cross-traffic alert, intuitive park assist, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming mirrors with memory reverse tilt and steering wheel memory, $3,240.
- Pre-collision system with radar cruise control, $500.
- Illuminated door sills, $449.
- Trunk mat, $105.
With delivery, processing and handling fee, the bottom line wound up at $80,314. Yes, that's a lot of money. But Bruce Wayne paid more for his. And it's ugly.