Lexus has a lot of things to be proud about.
Today is a great day for Lexus enthusiasts. Lexus representatives spoke about a bright future for the brand during the Lexus IS 500 launch eventat 12 Hours of Sebring. There’s plenty to look forward to, including the promise of more F and F Sport models and hints at new engines and their familiar V8,
The new Lexus IS 500, powered by a V8 engine, is the first Lexus IS with V8 power since 2008’s original IS F. The new Lexus IS500 is an enthusiast-focused V8-powered sedan. It is not the full-blown F performance model. After on-track testing, a Lexus model must pass a series testing to earn the F designation. Akio Toyoda, a passionate driver who has real racing experience, is eager to create more exciting Toyota and Lexus products.
The IS 500 is just a hint of what’s to come as Lexus aims to build cars geared towards driving enthusiasts. What’s next? Based on the IS 500 launch, we can expect a complete suite of Lexus performance vehicles and SUVs very soon.
The presentation suggests that we can expect an LS F in the second half of the year, with additional models, including the first Lexus F SUV. The Lexus F lineup will continue to grow and help build Lexus’ reputation for creating unique performance cars, while offering enthusiasts an alternative to German counterparts.
Asking about electrification, a wink and nod suggests that it is not far off. For now, we can expect similar powertrains as the Lexus F models. We’re happy to continue using the Lexus V8 for a while longer, if this happens.