Lexus F series

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Lexus F-Series represents Lexus' high-performance vehicle division . The F series stands for flagship and for Fuji Speedway , the main test site for Lexus sports car development in Oyama , which is in Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan . The first Lexus F-series vehicle - the Lexus IS-F  - was announced back in 2006, followed by an F-series coupe model - the Lexus LFA  - in 2007 and production of the LFA supercar in 2009 All vehicles in the F series are marked with a sticker on the front fenders. A related performance trimmed range - the F-Sport range  - was launched in 2007, with F-Sport accessories and the first factory models in 2010. The Lexus Vehicle Performance Development Division developed the F-range models, these was also involved in Lexus' motorsport activities. Originally, when Lexus was founded in 1989, the "F" designation was the internal code word for the development of their first flagship vehicle.

history

F-series V8 engine

In late 2006, Lexus filed trademark registration for the F emblem, leading to speculation that Lexus was seeking to create a high-performance brand . At that time it was thought the F stood for "Fast" ( English , fast ' ) or "Flagship" ( English , flagship' ). Later reports suggested the F referred to Fuji Speedway in Japan and its first corner - 27R - influenced the shape of the F emblem. There were already mentions in interviews from previous years with executives of the company that Lexus started a high-performance brand to compete with the Mercedes-AMG , the S / RS-Line from Audi , the V-series from Cadillac and the BMW M , among others . The TRD -based L-Tuned , an earlier in-house vehicle tuning effort, offered performance packages for the IS 300 and GS 400 , sedans of the early 2000s. Lexus' racing activities and sports car development were carried out by the Lexus Vehicle Performance Development Division , a trademark of the Lexus Development Center ( Aichi Prefecture ).

In December 2006 Lexus announced the first vehicle in the F series: The premiere of the Lexus IS-F sedan (previously known as the IS 500) was at the North American International Auto Show in January 2007. The vehicle then premiered in Detroit together with a revised version of the LF-A sports car. At the press launch, Lexus announced that a certain “skunk works” team had developed the IS-F in a way that differs from the typical technical achievements of Lexus. The chief designer of the IS-F was Yukihiko Yaguchi , who had previously worked on the Toyota Supra . Media reports suggested the IS-F sedan would be followed by a GS-F sedan and an IS-F coupe.

F-series models

Lexus IS F

The first model in the Lexus F series: the IS-F


The Lexus IS F was unveiled to the public at the North American International Auto Show on January 8, 2007. It is equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 gasoline engine with direct injection , which generates 311 kW (423 hp) at 6600 rpm and a maximum torque of 508 Nm at 5200 rpm. The engine has a two-stage intake system, a cooler for engine oil and automatic transmission fluid, and an oil pump designed for high-speed turns. Compared to the 2GR-FSE -V6 engine of the IS 350 with 228 kW (306 hp), the IS-F has the 2UR-GSE -V8 engine with over 300 kW. The IS-F should be in the dealerships by the beginning of 2008.

The IS-F premiered in Europe at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and in Japan at Fuji Speedway in October 2007. Sales of the IS-F began in Japan in late 2007, in the United States in early 2008 and later this year 2008 in Europe.

Lexus LFA

Model LF-A of the F series

The Lexus LFA is a two-seater coupe that was introduced at NAIAS 2007 as an F-series model. The original model of the LF-A had a 4.8 liter V10 engine with an estimated 411 kW (552 hp) and a top speed of 320 km / h. Automotive media reported that the LF-A model has been released for production. LF-A prototypes were also tested on the Nürburgring . On May 10, 2008, a prototype of the LF-A was entered in a 4-hour long-distance race of the VLN , in which it surprisingly won in the SP8 class. The vehicle was also entered in the 24-hour race , where it qualified 27th out of 223 cars and finished seventh in the SP8 class.

The Lexus LFA, a super sports car

On April 4, 2009, an LF-A won a 4-hour long-distance race in the SP8 class at the ADAC-Westfalenfahrt VLN. A roadster version of the F-series of the LF-A model (called the LF-A Roadster or LF-AR) was unveiled on January 13, 2008 at the North American International Auto Show . The first specification of the roadster called for a 5-liter V10 engine with an output of more than 370 kW (500 hp) and a top speed of over 320 km / h. The LF-A Roadster had a retractable rear spoiler for improved behavior at high speeds.

The Lexus LFA was unveiled on October 21, 2009 at the Tokyo Motor Show and its production was announced. The model will be limited to 500 copies, at an estimated base price of 375,000 euros. A racing version of the model for 2012 was also announced at the Tokyo Motor Show.

F-Sport

Lexus IS 350, the F-Sport model from 2008

The Lexus F-Sport line of standard Lexus models was announced at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show and was launched along with the IS-F sport sedan. Originally it was a product range of tuning parts for the sedans IS 250 and IS 350; In 2009 the range of parts was expanded to include the two-door IS-C models and the entire GS range. In 2009 special models of the F-Sport IS 350 C tuned ex works with F-Sport parts were announced, followed by the IS 250 and IS 350 models for 2011, which are to be equipped with F-Sport packages.

Factory-produced F-Sport models are improved inside and out and can be recognized by the F-Sport badge, a net-like radiator grille and a spoiler. F-Sport parts are built together with Toyota Racing Development , so there are better brakes, stabilizers , deploying springs, Bilstein shock absorbers , F-Sport clutches and bonnets made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic and chassis reinforcements (such as strut bars ). Individual changes are the rear spoiler, exhaust systems and light alloy wheels. The F-Sport models are:

F-Sport (as a sports package):

  • IS 250 F-Sport (2010–)
  • IS 250 F-Sport AWD (2010–)
  • IS 350 F-Sport (2010–)
  • IS 350 F-Sport AWD (2010–)
  • IS 250 C F-Sport (2010–)
  • IS 350 C F-Sport (2010–)

F-Sport (special model):

  • IS 350 C F-Sport (2009)

F-Sport (accessory range):

  • IS 250 (2007–)
  • IS 350 (2007–)
  • IS 250 C (2009–)
  • IS 350 C (2009–)
  • IS 250 AWD (2009–)
  • GS 350 (2009–)
  • GS 350 AWD (2009–)

Future models

Allegedly, the expansion of the Lexus F series includes several new models. Initial reports indicated that in addition to the LFA model variants, the Lexus GS would be the next vehicle to be developed into a model of the F series. However, development is said to have been delayed due to the financial crisis in 2008. The further development of the LFA variants was also the subject of contradicting reports, for example whether the vehicle would only be used as a race test platform, production would be discontinued or whether it would arise as soon as more favorable economic conditions were available.

Interviews with Lexus executives indicated that sales of the IS-F were comparatively strong at year-end 2008 and that an LS-F model would likely follow if the GS-F went into production. Equipping the Lexus flagship would likely include use of the V10 engine developed for the LF-A. In 2009 reports surfaced that the LF-A would not be produced in a roadster version, but that a convertible of the IS-F was also planned, based on the first models of the IS C, the IS 250 C or the IS 350 C. The LS 460 Sport, a high-performance variant of the LS flagship, was released in 2010.

See also

Web links

Commons : Lexus F-Series vehicles  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Lexus F series adds flash to brand ( English ) Reuters . October 11, 2007. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
  2. ↑ a b Marton Pettendy, Martin, Terry: IS-F, TRD power-plays ( English ) GoAuto. June 21, 2007. Retrieved August 27, 2007.
  3. ↑ a b Lexus IS F-Japonský expres ( Czech ) automotorevue. June 28, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  4. ↑ John Brooks: Speedhunters - Archive >> Lexus RX @ The 2005 Nurburgring 24h ( English ) February 9, 2009. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 17, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / speedhunters.com
  5. ^ Lexus Looking at Performance Badge ( English ) The Car Connection. Retrieved September 23, 2009.
  6. ↑ Lexus to launch “F” series to rival AMG, M ( English ) Leftlane News. Retrieved September 23, 2009.
  7. ^ Lexus High Performance - Brought to You by the Letter "F" ( English ) Automoblog. December 8, 2006. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 1, 2007. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.automoblog.net
  8. ^ Lexus GS-F Artist Impression ( English ) paultan.org. April 3, 2007. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  9. ^ Paul Tan: TOYOTA: News Releases ( English ) April 3, 2007. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  10. ↑ Lexus LF-A Concept Overview ( English ) Automoblog. April 20, 2007. Archived from the original on December 16, 2010. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 17, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.automoblog.net
  11. ↑ Lexus LF-A Greenlighted for Production ( English ) leftlane. Archived from the original on August 21, 2006. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 17, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.leftlanenews.com
  12. ↑ 2011 Lexus LF-A ( English ) jalopnik. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  13. ↑ Race evaluation . Archived from the original on September 2, 2009. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved October 17, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ts-vln.com
  14. ↑ ADAC Zurich 24h Race ( Memento of the original from June 4, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / adac.24h-rennen.de
  15. ↑ Race classification "56th ADAC Westfalenfahrt" according to places . VLN. Archived from the original on April 9, 2009. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved July 6, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ts-vln.com
  16. ↑ BFGoodrich Endurance Championship Nürburgring - chronology 56th ADAC Westfalenfahrt . VLN. April 4, 2009. Archived from the original on December 22, 2010. Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved April 5, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.vln.de
  17. ^ Lexus Future Models - LF-AR ( English ) Lexus. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  18. ↑ Lexus launches $ 375k LFA ( English ) In: BusinessWeek . Retrieved October 21, 2009.
  19. ↑ Tom Grünweg: Lexus LFA: A brutal racer at the wrong time . Mirror online. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  20. ↑ Lexus LFA Officially Debuts, “Special Model” Due In 2012 ( English ) In: The Motor Report . Retrieved October 22, 2009.
  21. ↑ a b 2007 SEMA Show: Lexus F-Sport ( English ) Edmunds.com. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
  22. ↑ Lexus Expands F-Sport Accessories to Midsize GS Line, IS 250 AWD and IS Convertible ( English ) Edmunds.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2009. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved July 28, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / blogs.edmunds.com
  23. ↑ Kap Shah: 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport Special Edition Prices, Images and Specifications ( English ) egmCarTech. March 8, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  24. ↑ Lexus Offers Free Upgrade To The Lexus IS F-Sport ( English ) August 11, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  25. ↑ 2011 Lexus IS250 / 350 F-Sport Package Gets Updates, Optional Ultrasonic Blue Paint ( English ) AutoGuide. July 20, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  26. ↑ Scott Oldham: 2009 Lexus IS 250 F Sport Follow-Up Test ( English ) Edmunds.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved July 28, 2009. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.edmunds.com
  27. ↑ a b c d Damon Lavrinc: Lexus F range could expand to include LS F ( English ) Autoblog. December 4, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
  28. ^ Report: Lexus working on IS-F Convertible, new replacement for SC430 ( English ) egmCarTech. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
  29. ↑ Don Sherman: Automobile Magazine review - LS 460 Sport ( English ) Automobile. Retrieved October 17, 2010.