Lexus has just announced the performance trim level for the LS called the F-Sport. The sporty new sedan makes its first public outing at the 2017 New York Auto Show this week.
In terms of its overall looks, the LS 500 F Sport can be distinguished by its new F Sport front grille that Lexus says took five months of work to design. New side skirt, F Sport badging on fenders and exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels complete the exterior transformation. And for those looking to really stand out, White Nova and Heat Blue are offered as F Sport-exclusive exterior colour.
The F Sport persona shines throughout the cabin, starting with the F Sport-exclusive front seats that comes with perforated-grill pattern on the seating surfaces and aluminum trim elements to add additional sporty flair.
The driver faces a special F Sport steering wheel as well as a speedometer and tachometer in a movable meter with a meter ring that slides to display information. Attention to detail shows in the aluminum accelerator, brake and footrest pedals, as well as the F Sport perforated shift handle and footrest. Ultrasuede in the seats and headliner is the crowning touch. For those desiring the ultimate sporty look, a new Circuit Red interior is available exclusively on F Sport models.
Thanks to the addition of the aforementioned 20-inch wheels, Lexus engineers were able to fit larger brakes for the F Sport model, with 6-piston calipers on the front and 4-piston calipers at the back. The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) LS 500 F Sport models can be equipped with LDH (Variable Gear Ratio Steering and Dynamic Rear Steering), Active Stabilizer, and sport-tuned air suspension with rapid height function. This Handling package allows the LS 500 to respond more like a sports coupe when going through curves.
The LS 500 F Sport comes in two choices of powertrain. The all-new 3.5-litre V6 engine produces a total output of 415hp and 600Nm of torque. When power is channeled to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission, the LS 500 accelerates from zero to hundred kilometer per hour in just 4.5 seconds.
The F Sport trim will also be available with the LS 500’s hybrid powertrain. The 500h is powered by the same 3.5-litre V6 engine but combines it with a “multi-stage hybrid” transmission and a lithium-ion battery. It produces a combined output of 354hp and this system allows the rear-wheel-drive LS 500h to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds.
