Three Lexus cars will get the high-performance F treatment later this year.
The new 2021 Lexus IS debuted last year with sharper styling and improved handling. It’s undoubtedly an improvement over its predecessor, but there’s still one glaring omission in the current IS lineup: the high-performance IS F. After a long hiatus, Lexus’ beloved BMW M3 rival is finally making a comeback for a new generation. According to Japan’s Best Car Web, the new IS F will debut this November alongside several other new F performance models.
Whereas the current IS is offered with either a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 241 hp and 258 lb-ft or a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 260 hp and 236 lb-ft, the new IS F will pack a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine.
Best Car Web
Best Car Web
In the RC F, this unit generates 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, but Best Car Web claims it will have 474 hp on tap.
For the first time, the Lexus LS flagship sedan is also allegedly getting the high-performance F treatment in November, enabling Lexus to take on the Mercedes-AMG S63 and BMW M760i. Under the hood will reportedly be the automaker’s newly developed 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 generating 660 hp, which will make the LS F significantly more powerful than its chief rivals. For reference, the S63’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is rated at 603 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, while the M760i produces 600 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque from a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12.
Contrary to reports last year claiming the LC F had been scrapped, the Japanese publication claims the long-awaited flagship sports coupe is on track for a November debut. Like the LS F, the LC F is expected to utilize a 660-hp 4.0-liter V8. To cope with all that extra muscle, the chassis will be retuned and the double-joint multi-link suspension will be modified to improve the rigidity. Also expect the track-focused LC F to boast a slew of aero enhancements including an aggressive front splitter, a fixed rear wing, and a vented hood.
If these claims are accurate then we can look forward to a Lexus F sports car onslaught towards the end of this year.
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