Lexus LS-F News!
Looks like the rumor of an Lexus LS-F is growing some legs — Last week, I reported the possibility that an F-Sport variant of the Lexus flagship could be released in 2009, and now Autoblog has “confirmed” the speculation, along with some bonus IS-F sales news:
Hirokazu Koga, general manager of the Lexus Development Center and one of the men behind the IS F, told Autoblog that if the automaker goes forward with plans to create a GS F, an LS F could be in the cards.
According to two Lexus execs we spoke to, the IS F outsold both the Mercedes-Benz C63 and BMW M3 Sedan last month (we can’t confirm, since Lexus doesn’t break down sales of the IS by model), but if consumers are accepting the idea of a high-performance Lexus, than other models will surely follow.
The information from last week was much more specific, but one thing I found interesting was Hirokazu Koga suggesting the LS-F would be released depending on the GS-F’s success. In my mind, going forward with an F-variant on the current GS doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense, considering it’s the oldest L-Finesse model and, more importantly, it’s not selling very well. In that regard, an LS-F makes a lot more sense, particularly if the other rumor of a 2009 model facelift is true.
As for the IS-F outselling both the Mercedes C63 and BMW M3 sedan last month — that would certainly justify the renewed push to increase the F-model variants.
[Source: Autoblog]
December 5th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
I’m really glad that the IS F is doing really well.
Damn…the auto market is as unpredictable as the stock market.
And three cheers for the LS F!!!
December 6th, 2008 at 4:09 am
Interesting, I’m wondering about the timing…say LF-A (or whatever they end up calling it) in 2009 as a 2010 model…then GS-F is most likely, then as mentioned, the LS-F But would that mean waiting till the new generation GS? Since the current GS came out in 2005 as a 2006 model, IIRC…a five year cycle or longer?
As for the LS-F, if the IS-F has a V8, the GS-F has a V10, the LS-F has a V12??? I’m guessing LS 460 SWB only…
…and would there be room for an F-Sport package somewhere or a full-blown F model?
December 6th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Even though marketing the LS F in only the SWB might make it a whole lot easier for the LS, I think it’s a big gamble when people begin to realize that the S63 and S65 are all LWB (in the US), which means that they’re a whole lot more spacious, not just a little.
I’m pretty sure that a LWB LS F would get the attention of many LS potentials simply looking for a whole lot of extra power.
Btw, could it be for marketing reasons that the GS 460’s engine isn’t as innovative, powerful, and efficient as the IS 350, GS 350, and LS 460? Is it ’cause the new GS is about to come out and they want to boast out new figures? It better be that way since worrying that a more powerful or faster GS might make the LS look bad is a dumb idea.
December 6th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Good point on the power + LWB combination. Why the GS 460 is at 342 hp is a mystery…and a GS-F sounds quite interesting. But it’s true, as tyler says, the ES sells even more and it’s only one model (ES 350). Actually it’s the GS that has had more variants than all current Lexus models, GS 300/350/430/450h/460…
December 6th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
The GS-F makes the most sense out of any of them. Think of it as an M5. The GS doesn’t sell all that well because it has been out for a while and it doesn’t cost a lot more than an ES so for most people that don’t want the sport feeling they go with the ES. We bought the 2007 GS350 and it’s amazing! The 350 has so much power (compared to my 1996 ES300 obviously) and i cant imagine the GS460 and now a GS-F! I think the -F variant of the GS would boost some sales.
Yes the GS is the oldest design, it pretty much started this look, but i cant see an update any time soon. Maybe for the 2012 year but right now all the cars and SUVs share the same look. They have to be careful not to add any new looks that would need to change the entire model line again. Right now it all looks very nice, their recent update with the extra chrome and turn signals in the mirrors made it look very nice and that model design will last for a while.
December 6th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
i think Lexus won’t have problems as other automakers during this economic crisis. People buy their cars because each ride is really well designed and has a great quality/price ratio. I think the GS-F would be interesting to see.
December 6th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
i want them to bring back the IS Wagon. Wont happen seeing it be in the same price range as the RX
December 7th, 2008 at 1:43 am
LX-F would be funny and probably sell well