Daily Slideshow: Lexus Unveils F Sport Line for LS 500

1. Rolling Stock

The new-for-2018 Lexus LS series sees additional upgrades applied to the F Sport line. Among the most noticeable on the LS 500, from both style and performance standpoints, are the larger wheels/tires and brakes fitted to the F Sport models. F Sport LS 500s receive 20-inch alloy wheels, as compared to 19-inch wheels on non-F models, and are fitted with 245/45RF20 front and 275/40RF20 rear tires—in addition, rear wheel drive models ship with summer performance tires as standard. Brakes on F Sports feature six-piston calipers with 15.7-inch rotors front and four-piston calipers with 14.1-inch rotors rear, up from the base four-piston/14.0-inch front and two-piston/13.2-inch rear spec.

>>Join the conversation about the F Sport of the 2018 LS 500 right here in Club Lexus.

2. Suspension

With the 2018 LS being significantly larger than last year's model—the standard 2018 LS GA-L platform is longer (and lower) than the long-wheelbase 2017 LS—the handling package available on the F Sport is a welcome option. The package includes Lexus Dynamic Handling, which features variable gear ratio steering and active rear steering, as well as active stabilization and sport-tuned air suspension with a rapid height function.

>>Join the conversation about the F Sport of the 2018 LS 500 right here in Club Lexus.

3. Appearance

Next to the 20-inch alloys, the most in-your-face F Sport feature could be the line's more mesh-like spindle-style grille. According to Lexus, the F Sport LS 500 version of their signature front-end treatment took 5 months of CAD time to design and actually has 7,100 separate surfaces compared to the non-F's 5,000. Also unique to the F Sports are different rocker panels, trunk trim features, and of course appropriately-sporty badging.

>>Join the conversation about the F Sport of the 2018 LS 500 right here in Club Lexus.

4. Interior

Once inside, F Sport LS 500s drivers will find more supportive side bolsters on the front seats—a useful touch that will come in handy when pushing the new suspension and rubber to the limit. Glance past the F-badged seats and floor mats and you'll spot an aluminum footrest and pedals with grippy inserts. Glance past the multi-function upgraded steering wheel and you'll be gazing at the LFA-inspired sliding-graphic instrument panel. Joining those features are the usual LS standbys—a large screen touchpad-controlled multimedia system, and heated, ventilated and massaging seats for front both and rear occupants.

>>Join the conversation about the F Sport of the 2018 LS 500 right here in Club Lexus.

5. Engine

The LS 500 F Sport is available in both standard and hybrid flavors, though whichever one buyers choose will be outfitted with engines identical to the standard models. The standard engines, however, are a new for 2018 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 gasoline engine and a 3.5-liter V-6 hybrid variant that made its first appearance in the LC 500h coupe. Those choices will replace the previous model's 4.6-liter V8 powerplant. With the twin-turbo V-6 under the hood, LS 500s turn in 0-60mph times of 4.5 seconds, while the hybrid-equipped cars manage a still-impressive 5.2 seconds to 60. The twin-turbo V6's 415 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, and the hybrid's electric motor-assisted 354 hp—coupled with an all-new and first for Lexus 10-speed automatic gearbox—join forces to make sure you won't miss the old V8. 

>>Join the conversation about the F Sport of the 2018 LS 500 right here in Club Lexus.

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