Lexus F

Lexus F

Type	Marque
Industry	Automotive industry
Founded	2006
Key people	Yukihiko Yaguchi
Products	Performance engines and cars Automotive sports accessories
Services	Research and development
Owner(s)	Lexus

The Lexus F marque represents the high-performance division of cars produced by Lexus. The F marque refers to Flagship^[1] and Fuji Speedway, the chief test site of Lexus performance vehicle development in Oyama, Suntō District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.^[2] The first vehicle in the Lexus F marque lineup, the Lexus IS F, was announced in 2006, followed by an F marque coupe concept, the Lexus LF-A, in 2007, and the production LFA supercar in 2009. All Lexus F performance vehicles are denoted by namesake badging on the front fenders. A related performance trim line, Lexus F Sport, was launched for 2007, with an F Sport accessory line and factory models in 2010. Lexus F models have been developed by the Lexus Vehicle Performance Development Division,^[3] which has also been involved with the brand's racing activities.^[4] The "F" designation was originally used at Lexus' launch in 1989, as an internal code for the development of its first flagship vehicle.^[1]

Origins

F marque V8 engine.

In late 2006, Lexus filed trademark applications for an "F" emblem, leading to speculation that the luxury marque was about to launch a performance brand.^[5] At the time it was suggested that "F" stood for "Fast" or "Flagship." Later reports surmised that "F" referred to the Fuji Speedway in Japan, whose first corner, 27R, was said to have inspired the shape of the "F" emblem.^[2] Interviews with company executives in prior years had included mentions of Lexus possibly starting a performance brand to compete with the likes of Mercedes' AMG, Audi's S/RS, Cadillac's V-series, and BMW's M division, among others.^[6][7] An earlier in-house tuning effort, the TRD-based L-Tuned, had offered performance packages on the IS 300 and GS 400 sedans in the early 2000s. Lexus' racing activities and sports model development had been handled by the Lexus Vehicle Performance Development Division, a branch of the Lexus Development Center, located in Aichi, Japan.^[3]

In September 2001, Lexus announced that the first vehicle in the F marque lineup, the Lexus IS F sedan, previously known in the press as the IS 500,^[8] would premiere at the North American International Auto Show in January 2007. The vehicle subsequently premiered at Detroit along with a redesigned version of the concept LF-A sports car. At its press debut, Lexus revealed that a dedicated "skunk works" team designed the IS F in a manner distinct from typical Lexus engineering efforts. The chief designer of the IS F, Yukihiko Yaguchi, previously worked on the Toyota Supra. Media reports suggested that the IS F sedan would be followed by a GS F sedan^[9] and Lexus IS F coupe.^[5] However, the GS F was reportedly delayed due to the economic downturn through 2008.^[10] Further development of LFA variants were also subject to conflicting reports as to whether the vehicle would be used solely as a racing test platform, discontinue production, or emerge when more favorable economic circumstances arrive.^[10]

Interviews with company executives indicated that year-end sales of the IS F in 2008 were comparatively strong, and that an LS F model would likely follow if the GS F enters production.^[10] Outfitting the Lexus flagship sedan would likely involve the use of the V10 engine developed for the LF-A.^[10] In 2009, reports surfaced that the LFA would not be produced in the roadster version, and an IS F convertible, reportedly based on the IS C models first produced in IS 250 C/IS 350 C trim, was also planned.^[11] A performance variant of the LS flagship, the LS 460 Sport, was released in 2010,^[12] and followed by F Sport versions of the CT 200h, GS 250, GS 350, and RX 350.

F marque models

Lexus IS F

The first Lexus F model, the IS F.

The Lexus IS F debuted to the public at the North American International Auto Show on 8 January 2007. The vehicle features a 5.0 L direct-injected V8 producing 416 SAE hp (423 PS, 311 kW) at 6,600 rpm, while peak torque is 371 ft·lbf (503 N·m) at 5,200 rpm.^[13] The engine also features a two-stage intake system, engine oil and automatic transmission fluid coolers and an oil pump designed for high-speed cornering. Compared to the 2GR-FSE V6, 306 hp (228 kW) IS 350, the IS F features a 2UR-GSE V8 engine and over 400 hp (300 kW). The IS F was scheduled to be in dealerships by early 2008.

The IS F made its European premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007, and premiered in Japan at the Fuji Speedway in October 2007. The vehicle went on sale for late 2007 in Japan, in early 2008 in the United States,^[14] and in Europe in 2008.

Lexus LFA

The F marque Lexus LF-A concept.

The Lexus LFA is a 2-seat coupe which was first unveiled as an F marque concept at the 2007 NAIAS. The original LF-A concept had a 4.8 liter V10 engine which produced an estimated 552 horsepower (411 kW), propelling it to a top speed of approximately 200 mph (320 km/h).^[15] Automotive media reports indicated that the LF-A concept car was approved for production.^[16] Prototypes of the LF-A had been spotted being tested at the Nürburgring, the famous motorsport race track in Nürburg, Germany.^[17] On 10 May 2008, a LF-A prototype was entered on the Nürburgring 4 hour VLN endurance race where it surprisingly won the SP8 class.^[18] The vehicle was also entered in the 24 Hours Nürburgring^[19] where it qualified 27th^[20] among 223 cars, and finished 7th in the SP8 class.

The production Lexus LFA supercar.

On 4 April 2009, a LF-A won the SP8 class^[21] in the ADAC-Westfalenfahrt VLN 4h endurance race.^[22] An F marque roadster version of the LF-A concept car (designated LF-A Roadster or LF-AR) was shown at the 2008 North American International Auto Show on January 13, 2008. Initial specifications for the roadster are a V10 engine under 5.0 L with over 500 hp and a top speed of over 200 mph.^[23] The LF-A Roadster had a retractable rear spoiler for improved handling at speed.

The production Lexus LFA was launched on October 21, 2009 at the Tokyo Motor Show.^[24] The vehicle will be limited to 500 hand-built production copies, with base price estimated at $375,000.^[24] At the Tokyo Motor Show, a circuit-ready model, the Nürburgring Edition, was also announced for 2012 release.^[25]

F Sport

Announced in 2007 at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show, the Lexus F Sport performance line for standard Lexus models debuted that year along with the IS F sports sedan.^[26] Initially offered as a lineup of performance accessories for the IS 250 and IS 350 sedans, in early 2009 F Sport expanded to the two-door IS C models, along with the entire GS line.^[27] Special edition factory-built F Sport IS 350 C models were announced in 2009,^[28] followed by factory-produced IS 250 F Sport and IS 350 F Sport models for 2011.^[29][30]

Factory-produced F Sport models feature interior and exterior upgrades, and can be differentiated visually by the F Sport badging, mesh grille, and spoiler. F Sport parts are produced in conjunction with Toyota Racing Development and included performance enhancements such as brake upgrades, stabilizer bars, lowering springs, Bilstein shocks, F Sport clutch, carbon fiber engine covers, and chassis braces.^[26] Personalization parts included rear spoilers, exhaust kits, and alloy wheels.^[31]

F Sport models have included the following (factory package) models: Lexus IS 250 F Sport (2010), Lexus IS 250 F Sport AWD (2010), Lexus IS 350 F Sport (2010), Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD (2010), Lexus IS 250 C F Sport (2010), Lexus IS 350 C F Sport (2010), and Lexus CT 200h F Sport (2011). Also included models (accessory line): Lexus IS 250 (2007), Lexus IS 350 (2007), Lexus IS 250 C (2009), Lexus IS 350 C (2009), Lexus IS 250 AWD (2009), Lexus GS 350 (2009), Lexus GS 350 AWD (2009), and Lexus CT 200h (2011). A limited production model (special edition) also has been built: Lexus IS 350 C F Sport (2009). Additional F Sport models have been added through 2012, including the GS 250 F Sport, GS 350 F Sport, and RX 350 F Sport models.

Lexus CT 200h F Sport  Lexus IS 350 F Sport  Lexus GS 350 F Sport

Racing

Since their debut, Lexus F models have been their manufacturer's primary entrant in racing competitions. The LF-A prototype has competed on the Nürburgring since 2008 in VLN endurance races in partnership with Gazoo Racing^[32] and in the 24 Hours Nürburgring, also with the IS F.^[33] In 2010, an IS F won a class victory in VLN four-hour endurance competition.^[34] Also that year, two LFAs raced in the 2010 24 Hours of Nürburgring in the SP8 class over 4000cc which required a minimum weight of 1500 kg, a restrictor diameter of 34.2 mm, and a fuel tank size of 120 liters; the #50 LFA car won its class.^[35][36] The IS F has also been entered in the Superstars Series production-based touring car racing championship.^[37]

See also

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lexus F.

• Lexus F Story - official site
• Sport/ Lexus F Sport - official site