Agree completely.I think I have mentioned this before, but if this product is the IS 500 and if it comes as that and not an IS F, for the most part, I think that's perfectly fine.
Why? Yeah, enthusiast cars are more likely to go to enthusiasts and people who make a lot of noise on internet forums and watch YouTube videos, but a lot of the people I know who bought F products - IS Fs and RC Fs - bought them just as a step up and something a little "more" than the lower models. Not as a direct comparison to an M3 or M4, but because they wanted a Lexus that was a little different and with a little more attitude.
We often get caught up in: IS F vs. M3 vs. C63 or RC F vs M4 vs C63, or even GS F vs M5 vs E63... I'm not saying those conversations aren't important and that Lexus shouldn't be recognizing their value, but Lexus also has a captive base of buyers who are just looking for something a little different. And for those people, sometimes the M and AMG products aren't even on the radar - but Lexus needs to provide paths/options to move up before people go elsewhere.
I think this forum, and automotive forums in general, quickly breaks cars down to 0-60 times, 1/4 mile times, horsepower, torque, AWD, traction... but for real buyers and owners, it's often more about a logical progression within a brand or lineup and less about "Is this equivalent to an M car? Is this as fast as an AMG?"
Audi has done this very well as most of their cars usually don't match BMW or Mercedes for power, and that includes S/RS cars. They offer the 2.0Ts for people who don't care, the 2.9/3.0T where they can sell it at a premium, and then make the S cars feel like a special upgrade. If you really want something fast and unique, yeah, you can step up to an RS product... but S still feels unique and special, serves as a halo for the brand and sells at a decent volume.
IS 300 --> IS 350 F-Sport --> IS 500 F-Sport creates an awesome upgrade path that hasn't existed in almost a decade. Very cool, regardless of the M3, C63 or anything else.
I think I have mentioned this before, but if this product is the IS 500 and if it comes as that and not an IS F, for the most part, I think that's perfectly fine.
Why? Yeah, enthusiast cars are more likely to go to enthusiasts and people who make a lot of noise on internet forums and watch YouTube videos, but a lot of the people I know who bought F products - IS Fs and RC Fs - bought them just as a step up and something a little "more" than the lower models. Not as a direct comparison to an M3 or M4, but because they wanted a Lexus that was a little different and with a little more attitude.
We often get caught up in: IS F vs. M3 vs. C63 or RC F vs M4 vs C63, or even GS F vs M5 vs E63... I'm not saying those conversations aren't important and that Lexus shouldn't be recognizing their value, but Lexus also has a captive base of buyers who are just looking for something a little different. And for those people, sometimes the M and AMG products aren't even on the radar - but Lexus needs to provide paths/options to move up before people go elsewhere.
I think this forum, and automotive forums in general, quickly breaks cars down to 0-60 times, 1/4 mile times, horsepower, torque, AWD, traction... but for real buyers and owners, it's often more about a logical progression within a brand or lineup and less about "Is this equivalent to an M car? Is this as fast as an AMG?"
Audi has done this very well as most of their cars usually don't match BMW or Mercedes for power, and that includes S/RS cars. They offer the 2.0Ts for people who don't care, the 2.9/3.0T where they can sell it at a premium, and then make the S cars feel like a special upgrade. If you really want something fast and unique, yeah, you can step up to an RS product... but S still feels unique and special, serves as a halo for the brand and sells at a decent volume.
IS 300 --> IS 350 F-Sport --> IS 500 F-Sport creates an awesome upgrade path that hasn't existed in almost a decade. Very cool, regardless of the M3, C63 or anything else.
Exactly the reason why we need a RX-F. More choices is not a bad thing. I'm sure most will be fine with just the F-Sport RX. But some of us want the RX-F and not have to go to other brands.Agree completely.
For me personally I wanted something more than my first GS and the model improved over the years. After a couple of GS 450h, my next Lexus was RC F. Then went for the GS F with a bit more space. Then the LC 500.
Over the years I always had a nice feeling, moving up and getting something special. F**k the germans... and other car brands.
But now I wanted someting nice, not just for me, but for my family as well. So, ended up with RX 450h f-sport. Butiful car. The downside - don´t feel so special anymore. And have, for the first time started to look at other brands than Lexus... 😞
My guess is new gen RX 2022 MY.That late into the cycle?
To late...My guess is new gen RX 2022 MY.
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Lexus has shared another early look at their next vehicle launch with Lexus Enthusiast, giving us a second teaser before any other media outlets. Before we dig deeper, let’s recap our thoughts on the first teaser from last week:
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There are certainly no rules in regards to engine cover design, and there’s every possibility of a new powertrain lurking under this plastic shield. However, for the sake of analysis, let’s assume the V8 is the engine. The major difference is the logo — instead of the stylized F of the Lexus high-performance F brand, this new vehicle will be released as an F SPORT product.
The LC 500 is the only existing model to have the V8 and not offer a F SPORT option, but it feels too late in the...