Daily Slideshow: The Best Lexus F Cars

The Lexus F Marque

Lexus is synonymous with luxurious and mature designs that prioritize comfort, refinement, and reliability. Therefore, when Lexus announced the launch of its F high-performance marque back in 2006, it shocked the entire auto industry. Lexus’ philosophy with the making of the Lexus F cars was to build cars that were not just about having tons of power, but that also delivered physically and emotionally rewarding driving experiences. It is safe to say that Lexus delivered well on these objectives.       

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The Original

The Lexus IS F was the 1st F car to be produced by Lexus. It was launched on January 8th, 2007 at the North American International Auto Show. It was also launched in Germany and Japan later that year. Without any doubt, it took the world by storm. Given the fact that up until then people had known Lexus for its upscale, sedate cars, the 4-door Lexus IS F sedan was received with mixed reactions. However, many soon realized that the Lexus IS F was a serious contender for pole position in the entry-level luxury high-performance sedan segment.   

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Still In Fashion

One of the greatest strong suits of the Lexus IS F is its engine. This car is powered by a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine that generates 416 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 371 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,200 rpm. This engine includes performance-enhanced features like a forged crankshaft, forged connecting rods, high-flow cylinder heads, titanium valves, and a dual air-intake system that maximizes power output. It is capable of propelling the IS F from zero to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. Another thing that the IS F offered was sharp handling. It featured a double-wishbone front/multi-link rear suspension system that had undergone numerous track-proven modifications. This track-tuned suspension system enabled this car to make its way around curves and sharp turns with cat-like agility and control. Its special rear control arms and large-diameter stabilizer bars helped to keep the car planted on the road while its high-rate springs and monotube dampers helped to deliver refined ride comfort.  

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The Supercar

The debut of the Lexus LFA at the Tokyo Motor Show on October 21, 2009 also marked a turning point in the history of Lexus. It was the first supercar that Lexus had ever built, and the entire world was up in a buzz talking about its capabilities and what it could do for months on end. The 2-door Lexus LFA sports coupe was a labor of love that had been developed over several years. The intention of the folks at Lexus was to produce a car that would push the boundaries of performance and would deliver unforgettable driving experiences. To this end, they worked on perfecting several aspects, one of them being the car’s body construction.

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Pinnacle of Performance

The engineers at Lexus had initially intended to build an all-aluminum body structure for the Lexus LFA, but they reconsidered this idea and settled for a lighter and stronger carbon fiber body construction instead. Another aspect that Lexus gave attention to was this car’s engine. They chose to build a bespoke high-performance engine instead of sourcing one from other car manufacturers. They developed an incredible, mid-front mounted 4.8-litre V10 engine that generates 552 horsepower with 480Nm of maximum torque. This engine propels this car from zero to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds. It also achieves a top speed of 202mph. Another aspect that Lexus got right with this car was the custom-made six-speed automatic Sequential Gearbox. This fast-shifting transmission is operated by paddle shifters and it also features four selectable modes, i.e. Auto, Sport, Normal and Wet. Power and torque are sent to the rear wheels via a limited slip differential. The Lexus LFA also features a specially tuned bespoke 4-wheel independent suspension system that was honed on famed tracks like the Nürburgring. 20-inch forged aluminum BBS wheels were also standard, and so were 265/35ZR20 front tires and 305/30ZR20 rear tires. 

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A New Breed

Launched in 2014, the Lexus RC F is the most recent of these three F cars. Some even say that it is the most refined. Like its elder siblings, the RC F is a 2-door luxury sports coupe is built and designed for pure exhilaration. The Lexus team borrowed several aspects from the LFA supercar in the making of this car like an LFA-inspired instrument cluster and the incorporation of carbon fiber in its body structure. 

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Gateway to the Future

Thanks to its aluminum/carbon fiber structure, the Lexus RC F is 8 kgs lighter than the regular Lexus RC car. The body structure of the RC F also incorporates significant portions of high-strength steel that have been laser screwed and multi-spot welded to achieve exceptional rigidity. Massive cross-section rocker panels have also been used to fully take advantage of g-forces. The Lexus RC F also handles exceptionally well thanks to its sport-tuned electric power-steering system and its track-honed double-wishbone front/multilink rear suspension. For confident braking power, this car features Brembo® high-performance brakes that include 14.9-inch front brake rotors with huge 6-piston calipers and 13.5-inch rear rotors with equally massive 4-piston calipers. Powering the RC F is a great naturally aspirated 5.0 V8 engine that generates 467 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 530 Nm of torque at 4,800-5,600 rpm. This engine propels this car from zero to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. 

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To keep your Lexus on the road and running right check out the How-to section of ClubLexus.