Toyota Motor’s premium Lexus brand unveiled a sporty variant of its redone flagship 2018 LS sedan for driving enthusiasts at press previews in New York. The 2018 Lexus LS 500 F Sport includes F Sport design touches and race track dynamics, according to the automaker. The new LS 500 and F Sport variant will reach dealer showrooms at the end of 2017. Pricing has not been revealed.
F Sport extras include 20-in. alloy wheels plus 6-piston front and 4-piston rear brake calipers. For sporty driving, there’s an available Handling package for the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) LS 500 F Sport that features advanced tuning applied to the chassis with Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), dynamic handling, and sport-tuned air suspension systems.
The LS 500 F Sport has a coupe-like silhouette that includes Lexus signature spindle front and side grilles enhanced with 7,100 individual surfaces instead of 5,000 on the standard model to achieve a sporty look and texture and aid cooling, Lexus says. F Sport rocker panels and trunk moldings give the sedan a rakish profile. F Sport badging on the fenders stands out when the car is painted in exclusive F Sport Ultra White.
The cabin of the new 2018 LS 500 F Sport features supportive front seats upholstered in an ultrasuede perforated-grille pattern with aluminum trim. For a sporty flair, the new variant can be ordered in F Sport’s Circuit Red color scheme. A new steering wheel; sliding control gauges adapted from the Lexus LFA supercar; aluminum accelerator, brake, and footrest pedals; and a perforated F Sport shift handle are also featured.
The 2018 LS 500 F Sport is powered by the same new engine as the standard model—a twin-turbo, 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 415 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque when partnered with Lexus’ first-ever 10-speed automatic transmission. The RWD variant zips from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, according to Lexus. A selection of normal and sport driving modes are included.
Additionally, the new LS 500h F Sport hybrid—powered by two electric motors and an Atkinson-cycle, 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engine—also is available with F Sport treatments.
Source: http://www.jdpower.com/cars/articles/car-news/lexus-ls-500-f-sport-variant-showcased-new-york-auto-show