05RollaXRS

I will try to make this as objective as possible..

Considering on paper the power-to-weight ratio is similar between RCF and IS500 (around 8.4 lbs/HP) while the ISF has a power-to-weight ratio is about 9.1 lbs/HP, on paper it favors the RCF or the IS500. However, it is complicated. The reason for that is, the ISF gearing overall is very different due to different wheel/tire circumference (especially for the RCF with the big 275/35/19 rear tires) and also the ~ 600 rpm higher rev range.

The RCF is geared optimally for all-out acceleration while ISF is geared optimally for the 1/4 mile because it shifts from 3rd to 4th much earlier (around 94 mph) than the RCF, which shift from 3rd to 4th about 4 - 5 mph before the 1/4 mile trap (around 110 mph). So, if that 3rd to 4th shift just before the 1/4 mile trap and have not gotten back into the "meat" of the powerband (above 6000 rpm), you easily lose a couple of tenths. An ISF would be more consistently in the "meat' of its powerband because it shifted to 4th long before the 1/4 mile trap. Not sure why Lexus had to make RCF's 3rd gear so damn tall? (it does work much better in long sweeping turns) That is why, in theory it should be close in the 1/4 mile times between an ISF and RCF. Quickest stock RCF achieved has been 12.5 seconds. People have reduced the rear tire pressures down to 27 PSI on the RCF to get the gearing shorten down, which significantly improved 1/4 mile times down to 12.3 seconds.

This video shows what I said above. the ISF and RCF stock for stock, is usually down to the launch up to 80 mph. However, that top end power and longer rev range starts to show up after 80 mph and RCF starts to pull away steadily up to 140 - 150 mph. However, once you put a few bolts on the ISF, it gets very close in a straight line. An ISF with intake/header/exhaust is considered a very close race with an RCF with a full catback exhaust in a straight line.

wthrman2

I am sure you guys have seen that the V6 was taken out of the Highlander, now its out of the Lexus RX so we are lucky that they approved dropping the V8 in our IS and I am some glad I was able to put my hand on one more than ever....We knew it was a dying breed but when they are killing the V6, imagine how lucky we are to get a new V8!!

Kanpai

arentz07

Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance:

• 5.0 V-8
• 472 horsepower
• 391 lb-ft
• 8-speed auto
• 0 to 60: low 4-second

Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance:

• 2.4 turbo I-4 and hybrid
• 365 horsepower
• 406 lb-ft
• 6-speed auto
• 0 to 60: high 5-second

I mean I'm not upset that they're offering this now, but the "500" number clearly means nothing.

macmaster

Bingo. Should’ve been called the RX250Th F Sport.

No more boring cars eh Morizo?

arentz07

I wonder what difference the newer 3.13 final drive makes for the RC F compared to the 2.94 it had at its launch? The IS 500 also shares this shorter final drive.

cajun

Agreed. Not certain if the forthcoming RX 500h is worthy of a black F Sport badge.

tapjoy

Or the “500”.

Moonman89

Back in February I got a brand new 2022 Highlander XLE V6 for msrp. I am glad I got it because I knew 2022 is the last year with the V6.

Kanpai

The LS500 exists too, which isn't a V8. Still an odd choice though.

cp2

iTrader: (1)

i thought i heard or read somewhere that lexus is going away from the number and engine displacement correlation (ie 2.5L=250, 3.0L=300, 5.0L=500, etc). like the new electrical suv...i think the RZ450? it'll be interesting to see what the numbers mean in the future.

arentz07

I wonder if it's the torque number that they're using to denote the "500". 500 Nm of torque or up?

IS 500: 391 lb-ft | 530 Nm
LS 500: 442 lb-ft | 600 Nm
RX 500h: 406 lb-ft | 550 Nm

Maybe that's not it either. Make it make sense, Lexus!

Kanpai

For a while, it did refer to the engine size in CCs, but that seemed to tail off. May have just ended up being a "trim level" at this point

Renault

Maybe not making sense of it is there marketing strategy

95bat

Thats what it is... the top trim level.

I think the RX 500h might be the next car for the wife, replace our current RX 350.