More Bark Than Bite - Will The Lexus LS-F Sport Make Any Inroads As A Performance Flagship?

There's little question that Lexus has risen to challenge the Germans at the top of the luxury car market. But what of its performance models? Toyota's luxury division has been keen to get in on the action claimed by Mercedes AMG, BMW's M division and Audi's Quattro GmbH (which makes the S and RS lines). Case in point the LFA supercar and the IS F performance sedan. But Lexus isn't about to stop there. The latest generation of LS flagship sedans includes the F Sport model, which is more cosmetic than performance-tuned.

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JRobUSC - 10/16/2012 1:55:23 PM

+1 Boost

You know what? I like it. No idea how it drives (the F Sport did not fare well in comparison tests previously) but at least it looks aggressive.

Agent009 - 10/16/2012 2:15:42 PM

-1 Boost

It does look a lot more aggressive, but is bark more important than bite? The competition can literally run rings around it performance wise.

thetruth01 - 10/16/2012 4:32:20 PM

+4 Boost

009, Only if you think its competition is AMG or S or M, which it clearly is not. This is not the LS-F. But all those mfrs also offer sport trims that are just a package of add ons to the base model, cosmetic and some minor tweaks. Those are the real competitors. And against them, the LS F-Sport fares well.

JRobUSC - 10/16/2012 6:16:50 PM

+1 Boost

I was referring to this test:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/comparison/2010-bmw-750i-vs.-2010-lexus-ls-460-sport

I don't know if the F Sport drives any better than the previous Sport or if it's essentially the same car with a bodykit, but at least the bodykit looks good. The biggest problem will be getting people looking for a sporty large car into the Lexus showroom in the first place before they just get the XJ, A8, 7-Series, or S-class they typically buy.

PUGPROUD - 10/16/2012 2:48:52 PM

0 Boost

No...next question please ?

cidflekken - 10/16/2012 3:20:00 PM

+4 Boost

If Lexus really wanted to change its image to a more sporty one, then it really needed a true, complete redesign of this model. The GS, albeit not the most successful redesign, did it right. It changed its driving experience and got rid of the previous design so that buyers didn't connect the two.

The add-ons for the LS is like Katie Holmes putting on studded collars and bracelets and thigh-high boots. It's just not cohesive.

Lexus - 10/16/2012 6:10:25 PM

+3 Boost

I think it's fine if Lexus want to make all of their car more Sporty but they have to make sure they also offer bases model as well to keep the old clients and current clients happy.

Just like what they did with the Lexus IS250 and IS350, they have an IS-F version for it. So as long as they keep all the good things they're known for and add Super Sports versions for all of it lineup.

Lexus - 10/16/2012 6:19:21 PM

+4 Boost

Funny,

this recall about Ford didn't get mention on this website. I wonder why ; ) But I still did Ford has some very nice design.

http://www.insideline.com/ford/fiesta/2011-13-ford-fiesta-recalled-for-airbag-problem.html

chewy - 10/16/2012 6:40:50 PM

+1 Boost

Turboed V8 competition will be miles ahead power wise. Even the six cylinder competition will almost be even. Aside from that the redesign does sportify the looks a decent amount.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 10/16/2012 11:29:29 PM

-4 Boost

I know i am always teasing you yanks about not having a clue as to what constitutes Quality.............

Seriously...... Look properly at pictures 2 and 4.

Glued on Bits to rear of side skirts ????????????

What the hell kind of rear diffuser is that on a Lux Limo ??????

Not even Mansory is that tacky with their Mods, this really is going past the point of jokes.

Somebody at Lexus actually signed off on this bullshit.

Lexus - 10/17/2012 4:23:57 AM

+4 Boost

Hey agent009 and agent00r

how about making a post about this article regarding Hyundai,

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/10/hyundai-sonata-yf-suddenly-accelerates_15.html#0_undefined,0_

Lexus - 10/18/2012 12:57:35 AM

+1 Boost

@twenty,

I totally agree with you 100%. And they wonder why so many member join and then leave. If you're going to write an articles about auto company I don't care where it from, America, Japan, German, Italy, Sweden or Korea, you need to write both bad and good as well. And not just targeting or favoring a certain brand or brands.