2013 Lexus RX Sport Appearance Package?

Posted by Kevin on March 28th, 2012

There was an interesting 2013 Lexus RX 350 on display at the Dallas Auto Show last week:

2013 Lexus RX 350 Sport Package Side

2013 Lexus RX 350 Front Close-up

The front grille has been split, with a standard model upper grille and what looks like a F Sport lower grille. It brings to mind the Sport Appearance package that was mentioned briefly in Lexus USA’s press release about the 2013 RX — here’s a quote:

A Sport Appearance Package (not available on RX 350 AWD) is new for 2013 and offers an unique front bumper, halogen headlamps and 19-inch wheels with superchrome finish.

I don’t know if these wheels would classify as “superchome”, but the rest of the description fits — this brings the total available RX grille designs to three: Standard, Sport, and F Sport.

Update: I have received confirmation that this is indeed the new RX Sports Appearance package.

(Thanks Alex!)

F SPORTLexus RX Hybrid: First GenerationLexus RX: Third GenerationUSA
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Comments
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    Brad
  • March 28, 2012
The Lexus Canada website has the RX F-Sport listed as having an 8 speed transmission...at least it did a month ago when I looked at the press release on their website.Not directly related to this model,I know,but pretty interesting & I should have mentioned it then.I just thought there would be more on this without me mentioning of this,but there hasn't been.
    • Anonymous
    • March 28, 2012
    The rest of the true competition has moved on to 7+ speed transmissions in their volume sellers.  Time for Lexus to do the same.
    K
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      krew
    • March 29, 2012
    Wow, great catch! I was certain that RX F Sport would have a eight-speed transmission but there was never any confirmation during the Geneva show. You're right, it's on the Lexus Canada site and I'll be writing about it tomorrow.
    B
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      Brad
    • March 29, 2012
    Thanks!So sorry I didn't mention it when I caught it earlier!I was starting to believe that I had maybe just imagined this.
    J
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      Jake
    • March 29, 2012
    Does Lexus Canada still hold the press release? I'm curious about why the RX did get the 8-speed transmission and not the GS, which is a full restyling and suppose to new much more newer than the face lifted RX. Edition: Found it here: http://www.lexus.ca/lexus/experience/en/home/whatsnew/whatsnew_news.jsp#2013-RX-RANGE It seems that only the RX350 F Sport is getting the 8-speed transmission.
    P
    • P
      PG
    • March 29, 2012
     Great! I always found it curious that Lexus, who introduced the 8 speed tranny to the world,  wouldn't let the 8 speed tranny trickle down from the LS and IS F, especially now that basically all of the competition is using 8 (BMW, Audi) or 7 speeds (MB).
    O
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      Oranji
    • March 29, 2012
     Wow! will that be carrying over to US?
J
  • J
    Joshd
  • March 28, 2012
why only available on non AWD models? Why not just offer the f sport package in AWD?  Doesn't make sense to have 3 versions... 
    J
    • J
      jruhi4
    • March 29, 2012
    I think the New York Auto Show's Lexus press conference for the 6th-generation ES on Wednesday, April 4th at 11:20 a.m. EDT might also bring some clarity on the RX F-Sport plans for the U.S. As to the Lexus Canada site, they just opted to "cut-and-paste" the Lexus Europe press release from the Geneva Auto Show, which included the "hidden" 8-speed transaxle info.
  • Anonymous
  • March 28, 2012
Lexus, please, stop with the chrome!  This isn't a Cadillac, or a Chrysler, or a Dodge, for that matter.
    E
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      emptystreets130
    • March 29, 2012
    There is really not that much chrome...
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    Clubae86
  • March 29, 2012
WTH?  Still no Fsport for RX450h? Come on.......
    J
    • J
      Jake
    • March 29, 2012
    Quite disappointing Lexus didn't want to have any F Sport for his hybrid models (RX450h, GS450h) at least in the US. 
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  • L
    Lho3337
  • March 29, 2012
 Will the Grill + Front bumper fit the 2010-2012 models?
    F
    • F
      Flipside909
    • March 29, 2012
    Yes it will physically fit, but that requires having to buy new headlamps, foglamps, upper and lower grille assembly. Also if the mounting brackets are different to the core support, it may not work without fabrication.
J
Where is the lovely "F-Sport" Badge on the front fenders....??? Maybe the US spec will be badge-less....
    E
    • E
      emptystreets130
    • March 29, 2012
    This isn't the F sport, it's just the apperance package.
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    enthusiast
  • March 30, 2012
Those wheels look small and kind of boring.

E