More High-Performance Lexus F Models are Coming Soon

Just the Beginning

Though it's been rumored for a number of years, the unveiling of the Lexus IS 500 still took pretty much everyone by surprise. After all, we've been told time and time again the automaker was bringing back the performance luxury sedan, yet we always came up empty-handed. But while most might assume that the IS 500 is destined to be the last of its breed, Lexus would like us to know that it's actually just the beginning.

Photos: Lexus

Sub F

While most love the IS 500, it isn't a full-blown IS F that so many have clamored for. However, Lexus's vice president and general manager, Andrew Gilleland, made it quite clear while speaking at the LS 500 Launch Edition unveiling that it is just the first of many high-performance, sub-F cars on the way. "There will definitely be more vehicles. There's a lot more coming where this came from," Gilleland said.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the upcoming F Models right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Candid Comments

That wasn't the only interesting quote to come from the surprisingly candid presentation, either. "If you want to see more of this, go bug the s*** out of him," Gilleland said while pointing to Lexus product planner Cooper Erickson. However, while speaking, Erickson discussed the fact that sedans simply don't sell well these days, which we already knew.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the upcoming F Models right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Why Not?

Regardless, it's clear from his comments that Erickson is a big proponent of cars like the IS 500. "If it's part GS and part RC, then why can't we drop a big-ass V8 in it?" he said. "Nobody's doing that. But, we can. Because we do an amazing job with our hybrid products. So from a CAFE, greenhouse gas, and emissions standpoint, we can manage having a V8 in a car like this when nobody else can."

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the upcoming F Models right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Show Down

Interestingly, Erickson wanted the IS 500 to be the next-gen IS F, but that idea was shot down by chief engineer Koji Sato. However, that's because Sato and Lexus have bigger plans for the F designation. "We have new plans for F," Sato explained. "F will be higher. Only Akio [Toyoda] can approve F [cars]."

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the upcoming F Models right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Changing Brand

"This is the start," Erickson said. "We are performance-oriented. The brand's changing. The IS 500 starts to inform what that brand change looks like." And as Erickson later notes, this doesn't just apply to sedans, but crossovers and SUVs as well. 

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the upcoming F Models right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Coming Soon?

Does this mean we'll soon see a new IS F, as well as the long-rumored LC F and perhaps some F-badged crossovers? One can only hope. But it's clear that Lexus is finally taking the performance side of things seriously, as we've been clamoring for it to do for years now.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the upcoming F Models right here in the Club Lexus forum.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.