Lexus Closes The Performance Gap With Additional F-Sport Accessories

Lexus today announced that it will expand its popular F-Sport Performance Accessories line. The luxury manufacturer launched its signature line of sport performance parts last spring with accessories for the IS 350 and IS 250 entry luxury sport sedans. The line will soon include F-Sport parts for the current generation GS luxury sport sedan, IS all-wheel drive (AWD), and the all-new IS C convertible coupe models. F-Sport equipped versions of the GS, IS and IS C will be on display at the Chicago Auto Show.

"F-Sport Accessories offer Lexus owners the ability to customize their vehicles to the next level of performance," said Brian Bolain, Lexus national manager of marketing and lifecycle strategy. "Following last year's successful launch of accessories for the IS 250 and 350 sport sedans, it was natural to expand the F-Sport accessories lineup to other Lexus performance models."

The GS, IS AWD and IS C F-Sport accessories will include performance enhancing parts such as forged alloy wheels, brake upgrades, suspension systems, air intake, exhaust systems and more. Parts for these new models will be available as early as June 1, 2009.

F-Sport Performance Accessories by Lexus USA are engineered by Toyota Racing Development (TRD). When installed by an authorized dealer, the accessories are fully warranted for 12 months or for the balance of the new car warranty, whichever is greater.

F-Sport 18 and 19-inch Forged Alloy Wheels

The F-Sport forged alloy wheels, exclusively designed in a dark graphite finish, not only add an aggressive look to the exterior, but help enhance performance through increased strength and decreased weight. The F-Sport wheels require the use of spline-drive lug nuts, which are included in the available Wheel Installation Kit.

F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade

The Front Brake Upgrade provides a firmer pedal feel and improved fade resistance in repeated severe-duty use. The Brake Upgrade features six-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors with a patented internal-fin design mounted on anodized aluminum hubs. Braided stainless-steel brake lines and low-dust performance brake pads are included, and the upgrade can be used with stock or the F-Sport Rear Brake Upgrade.

F-Sport Rear Brake Upgrade

Similar in construction to the F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade, the Rear Brake Upgrade uses four-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors. Braided stainless-steel brake lines and low-dust performance brake pads are also included. The Rear Brake Upgrade may only be used in conjunction with F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade.

F-Sport Shock Absorber Set

Developed in cooperation with Bilstein® and available exclusively through the F-Sport Performance Accessory program, this shock-absorber set offers sport-tuned suspension dampening without sacrificing ride quality.

F-Sport Lowering Spring Set

This feature lowers the vehicle approximately one inch in the front and rear for a more aggressive appearance and a lower center of gravity. The spring set is engineered to deliver lowered ride height without bottoming out or creating a harsh ride. The sets will be specifically configured for each model and can be used with either the stock or F-Sport Shock Absorber Set.

F-Sport Sway Bar Set

The sway bar set includes larger diameter replacement front-and-rear sway bars that reduce body sway and flatten cornering. Oil-impregnated rubber bushings are also included to replace the original rubber bushings. Each vehicle's sway bar set is specifically configured to achieve the best performance.

F-Sport Rear Chassis Member Brace

To improve chassis stiffness under aggressive driving conditions and provide a more responsive feel during cornering, the F-Sport Rear Chassis Member Brace joins key rear-chassis and suspension mounting points through this tubular steel brace.

F-Sport Performance Exhaust System

This system features all stainless-steel construction with fully polished mufflers and double-wall exhaust tips. In addition to an outstanding appearance, it delivers a powerful, sport-tuned exhaust sound while complying with established sound-level standards and does not affect emissions compliance.

F-Sport Performance Air Intake

This low-restriction intake and filter assembly is fully compatible with stock engine controls and is emission legal in all 50 states.

F-Sport Carbon Fiber Engine Cover

Constructed from real carbon fiber, this light-weight, durable engine cover provides a high-tech appearance under the hood. This is a direct replacement for the original cover.

F-Sport Performance ClutchSet

The F-Sport Performance Clutch Set, available for the IS 250 and IS 250C equipped with the manual transmission, increases clamping force approximately 16 percent to handle higher torque capacity and provide improved feel.

F-Sport Quick Shifter

Engineered and machined from billet aluminum, the F-Sport Quick Shifter for the manual-transmission equipped IS 250 and IS 250C decreases shift throw by approximately 35 percent for quicker and more positive shifting.

F-Sport Shift Knob

Constructed from premium leather and genuine carbon fiber, F-Sport shift knobs are sporty and offer a comfortable curved shape. The manual knob is weighted to provide a sporty and more controlled feel while shifting. Both knobs are detailed with signature blue stitching and a silver F-Sport logo.

F-Sport Floor Mats

Made from the same high-quality 18 ounce nylon carpet as the factory mats, the four-piece set is available in black with a silver embroidered "F-Sport" logo.

david999 - 2/12/2009 12:21:42 PM

-3 Boost

Expansion of the F-Line should make a lot of the "enthusiasts" on this site happy.

LexusKindaGuy12 - 2/12/2009 12:59:12 PM

+2 Boost

ehh i have mixed feelings about F sport accessories. sure, they make the cars more sporty, but they make them way too "ricey". AMG badged items are more aesthetically pleasing, which i think lexus should follow as well

Denali - 2/12/2009 1:06:18 PM

0 Boost

more posers...LMFAO

, there are more BMW and MBZ owners with M and AMG packages cars on cheap models then the real thing...FACT

, LMAO @ my bestfriend S550, only the take off 0-60 can tell the difference

Willis - 2/12/2009 2:06:58 PM

+3 Boost

I think Lexus is sort off wasting their time with the IS250 and IS250C models with this sport package. You can only attract a certain group with such modifications. The real moneymaker would be an IS350, which can be had with the F package, but with a 6-speed manual. Drop in a 6-speed manual and you have a car that can rival the 335i and G37 and attract more potential customers to Lexus. I've driven the IS250. It's nice, but the engine is nothing special, almost boring.

LexSucks - 2/12/2009 2:59:57 PM

+2 Boost

The problem with lexus is that they don't offer any performance other than straight line performance. What Lexus does instead is offer all kinds of frivolous crap in attempt to make up for the cars other short-comings. Do yourself a favor and find a real enthusiast brand to be a fan of. Lexus isn't it. Only fools believe that Lexus builds dynamic cars. And all of them are from America

DinamoR - 2/12/2009 3:35:08 PM

-4 Boost

man, you lexus hating trolls really are desperate! wow what a bunch of sore losers. lemme guess, you work at infiniti and audi dealerships?

BMWGino - 2/12/2009 3:46:21 PM

-2 Boost

LexusBeauyQueen,

BMWs never break down!!! Even if statistics prove they are more unreliable, I don't believe them, only what other German car fans tell me. At least in a BMW I can look fabulous while I'm being towed away...

XYZZ - 2/13/2009 6:53:09 AM

-2 Boost

bmwGino-

"The 1999 bmw 5-series V8 had worst engine cooling problem rate, with 34 percent. In addition, 2000-2001 bmw 5 series V8 and bmw 7 series all had about 30 percent of their owners reporting engine-cooling woes." from 2007 CR auto issue. (can't find my 2008 issue; 2009's not out yet)

in the same issue, NO lexus or toyota product across their whole line had engine cooling problems, even up to 6 years of age. (currently they report on 8 year old cars; toyota products that old and OLDER tend to still not have ANY engine problems at all.)

LexSucks - 2/13/2009 9:22:02 AM

-1 Boost

Yawn!!. I'd still take a BMW over a Lexota any day. Do you honestly think that Lexus builds better vehicles than BMW?

DinamoR - 2/14/2009 9:26:04 PM

+1 Boost

yawn...you lexsucks must think lexus makes better cars. if they did not and you did not feel threatened, why come up with a name and whole personality to pick on them? I don't see anyone picking on russian Lada or indian Tata. because everyone knows they suck.

XYZZ - 2/17/2009 5:34:37 AM

0 Boost

ONE out of every THREE bimmer v8s having overheating problems is not insignificant.

meanwhile, Lexi even half a decade old still have LESS than 1% problem rates. i'd pick a 6 yr-old lexus OR TOYOTA over a 3 yr-old bmw anytime.

what good is 'the ultimate driving machine' when it's sitting on the side of the road and you have to WAIT 'till it cools down before you can actually drive it again? ASSUMING you can drive it, rather than have to call a tow truck!

DinamoR - 2/12/2009 3:33:37 PM

-4 Boost

they need to get back to making the GS a sport sedan. GS400 was the fastest sedan in the world in 1990's until the 1998 M5 came out. The japanese version GS1 has the Supra engine, which means it was a turbo boost away from making 800 horse power. There are some GS's out there that would clown a Lamborghini. The GS3 is more of a luxo cruiser, they need to make the GS4 a sport sedan again.

Wimmer - 2/12/2009 4:47:02 PM

+3 Boost

The GS400 wasn't the fastest sedan in the world in the 1990s. A stock Mercedes 420E / 500E for example was electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h) but with the limiter removed has been clocked at 270 km/h (168 mph). This is in Europe. I am pretty certain the US-spec models were limited to a speed below 155 mph, but even if the Lexus GS400 at that time in the US had a faster top speed than the W124s that doesn't mean "fastest sedan in the world", it means "fastest sedan in the US". Don't get me started on the W124 AMG E36 / 6.0 models...

S4cabriofoxone - 2/14/2009 1:22:46 AM

0 Boost

And I'd bet my bottom dollar that if the Audi RS2 wasn't a wagon it would've been the fastest sedan in the world. It was limited to 262km/h when it was sold in Europe.

JUGNU - 2/13/2009 6:02:39 AM

-1 Boost

IS with F sport kit looks stunning, espcially the blue accessories. I hope Lexus soon offer these bodykits/accessories in Middle East too.

JUGNU

lexworld - 2/13/2009 10:28:25 AM

-1 Boost

Hate to burst your little bubble LexSucks but, yes Lexus (Toyota) makes a better product over all than BMW. Where have you been tha last 19+ yrs. Man you not only suck but, you're stuck on stupid. Because one product is labeled "The Ultimate Driving Machine" does'nt make it the superior product. In fact, it does'nt have to be. It just has to live up to it's name or purpose of design.

3pointstar - 2/13/2009 7:48:33 PM

+1 Boost

I think Lexus is grabbing at straws to generate interest in their F line. This is a bad move on their part. Lexus dealerships should not try to model themselves after Kragen's Auto Parts. I also don't think selling parts, rather than offering them as a package on the purchase of an IS and GS makes it less exclusive than what Mercedes does with AMG. If you want an AMG vehicle, you buy the AMG version, but Mercedes doesn't sell onesy twosy AMG parts.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/14/2009 1:24:13 AM

+1 Boost

"Closes the performance gap?" Hardly. These are nice accessories but the fact that they can only be had with a stick on an IS250 is a grave mistake. I would rather have a base 328i with a stick than an F'ed up IS250 with a stick.