Chicago 2009: Lexus expands F-sport parts to includes GS, IS convertible and IS AWD
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lexus F-Sport vehicles and accessories
Lexus wasn't doing much in the Windy City this week, so it used the opportunity to release a new line of F-Sport accessories for the GS, IS AWD and upcoming IS C.
Thankfully, Lexus is keeping the majority of its F-Sport items focused on performance, beginning with 18- or 19-inch wheels and six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes, each equipped with stainless steel lines and uprated brake pads. Bilstein shocks, lowering springs, sway bars, a chassis brace, clutch set, short shifter kit, intake and stainless steel exhaust round out the performance options, while a carbon fiber engine cover, shift knob and floor mats appease the dress-up crowd.
When installed by an authorized dealer, the TRD-developed performance parts carry a 12-month warranty on their own or for the balance of the new car warranty. We're looking forward to getting some seat time in a fully-kitted IS 350 equipped with all the F-Sport goodies, so stay tuned for a thorough review. Make the jump for a listing of all the F-Sport parts.
Gallery: Lexus F-Sport Accessories
PRESS RELEASE
Lexus Expands F-Sport Performance Accessories Line to Include Parts for GS, IS C and IS AWD Models
IS C F-Sport
Torrance, Calif., February 11, 2009 -- Lexus today announced that it will expand its popular F-Sport Performance Accessories line. The luxury manufacturer launched its signature line of sport performance parts last spring with accessories for the IS 350 and IS 250 entry luxury sport sedans. The line will soon include F-Sport parts for the current generation GS luxury sport sedan, IS all-wheel drive (AWD), and the all-new IS C convertible coupe models. F-Sport equipped versions of the GS, IS and IS C will be on display at the Chicago Auto Show.
"F-Sport Accessories offer Lexus owners the ability to customize their vehicles to the next level of performance," said Brian Bolain, Lexus national manager of marketing and lifecycle strategy. "Following last year's successful launch of accessories for the IS 250 and 350 sport sedans, it was natural to expand the F-Sport accessories lineup to other Lexus performance models."
The GS, IS AWD and IS C F-Sport accessories will include performance enhancing parts such as forged alloy wheels, brake upgrades, suspension systems, air intake, exhaust systems and more. Parts for these new models will be available as early as June 1, 2009.
F-Sport Performance Accessories by Lexus USA are engineered by Toyota Racing Development (TRD). When installed by an authorized dealer, the accessories are fully warranted for 12 months or for the balance of the new car warranty, whichever is greater.
F-Sport 18 and 19-inch Forged Alloy Wheels
The F-Sport forged alloy wheels, exclusively designed in a dark graphite finish, not only add an aggressive look to the exterior, but help enhance performance through increased strength and decreased weight. The F-Sport wheels require the use of spline-drive lug nuts, which are included in the available Wheel Installation Kit.
F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade
The Front Brake Upgrade provides a firmer pedal feel and improved fade resistance in repeated severe-duty use. The Brake Upgrade features six-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors with a patented internal-fin design mounted on anodized aluminum hubs. Braided stainless-steel brake lines and low-dust performance brake pads are included, and the upgrade can be used with stock or the F-Sport Rear Brake Upgrade.
F-Sport Rear Brake Upgrade
Similar in construction to the F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade, the Rear Brake Upgrade uses four-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors. Braided stainless-steel brake lines and low-dust performance brake pads are also included. The Rear Brake Upgrade may only be used in conjunction with F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade.
F-Sport Shock Absorber Set
Developed in cooperation with Bilstein® and available exclusively through the F-Sport Performance Accessory program, this shock-absorber set offers sport-tuned suspension dampening without sacrificing ride quality.
F-Sport Lowering Spring Set
This feature lowers the vehicle approximately one inch in the front and rear for a more aggressive appearance and a lower center of gravity. The spring set is engineered to deliver lowered ride height without bottoming out or creating a harsh ride. The sets will be specifically configured for each model and can be used with either the stock or F-Sport Shock Absorber Set.
F-Sport Sway Bar Set
The sway bar set includes larger diameter replacement front-and-rear sway bars that reduce body sway and flatten cornering. Oil-impregnated rubber bushings are also included to replace the original rubber bushings. Each vehicle's sway bar set is specifically configured to achieve the best performance.
F-Sport Rear Chassis Member Brace
To improve chassis stiffness under aggressive driving conditions and provide a more responsive feel during cornering, the F-Sport Rear Chassis Member Brace joins key rear-chassis and suspension mounting points through this tubular steel brace.
F-Sport Performance Exhaust System
This system features all stainless-steel construction with fully polished mufflers and double-wall exhaust tips. In addition to an outstanding appearance, it delivers a powerful, sport-tuned exhaust sound while complying with established sound-level standards and does not affect emissions compliance.
F-Sport Performance Air Intake
This low-restriction intake and filter assembly is fully compatible with stock engine controls and is emission legal in all 50 states.
F-Sport Carbon Fiber Engine Cover
Constructed from real carbon fiber, this light-weight, durable engine cover provides a high-tech appearance under the hood. This is a direct replacement for the original cover.
F-Sport Performance ClutchSet
The F-Sport Performance Clutch Set, available for the IS 250 and IS 250C equipped with the manual transmission, increases clamping force approximately 16 percent to handle higher torque capacity and provide improved feel.
F-Sport Quick Shifter
Engineered and machined from billet aluminum, the F-Sport Quick Shifter for the manual-transmission equipped IS 250 and IS 250C decreases shift throw by approximately 35 percent for quicker and more positive shifting.
F-Sport Shift Knob
Constructed from premium leather and genuine carbon fiber, F-Sport shift knobs are sporty and offer a comfortable curved shape. The manual knob is weighted to provide a sporty and more controlled feel while shifting. Both knobs are detailed with signature blue stitching and a silver F-Sport logo.
F-Sport Floor Mats
Made from the same high-quality 18 ounce nylon carpet as the factory mats, the four-piece set is available in black with a silver embroidered "F-Sport" logo.
For additional information regarding the F-Sport performance accessory line, please see the F-Sport Accessories brochure or visit http://www.f-sport.com/.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TriShield 7:49PM (2/11/2009)
F?
As in why the F is this car so Fing slow?
As in why the F did I buy these Fing hideous parts for my classy Japanese luxury car?
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KeatMP 9:19PM (2/11/2009)
I don't know why your low ranked. People I guess don't realize that the IS-F is really slow. It was either Car and Driver or Road and Track that did a comparison and the Cobalt SS beat the IS-F around the track. That's right. A 260 HP FWD Cobalt beat the mighty IS-F around the track.
Wait...I found the link:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/performance_files_tested_by_c_d/2009_chevrolet_cobalt_ss_sedan_short_take_road_test
Christian 12:39PM (2/12/2009)
I say we go easy on the ricer fanboys today, this is Toyota first new 2-door RWD in about a hundred years.
And no the late SC doesn't count.
Good for them, they'll have something to talk about. This actually has some semblance of a sports car. Too bad its going to be slower than the IS-F.
majortom1981 5:25PM (2/12/2009)
This is in response to keatmp. They also stated it beat out a subaru wrx. So I guess thats a horrible car also right?
Mazda FTW! 7:53PM (2/11/2009)
Yeah I agree. It's becoming ricer by the day. The IS has a classic design. Keep it clean, Lexus.
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tekd 8:38PM (2/11/2009)
What are you talking about, most of the parts aren't even visible performance components...shocks, sprints, chassis brace, sway bar, intake, upgraded clutch, etc.
And most of the visible parts have real function too, lightweight wheels and upgraded brakes.
Accusing a car of being rice because it has a bunch of performance parts you can only see if you look underneath and inside the car is ridiculous.
Richard 9:07PM (2/11/2009)
Yeah! But, until they "chip" the steering rack to introduce some feel this thing is going to drive like a......................Lexus.
MikeW 8:08PM (2/11/2009)
Is this like the one Edmunds tested?
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Followup/articleId=140386
Not any faster?
I was going to suggest dropping a profile in the rear tires to 255/30 19, but that wouldn't look that good, so change the rear to 245/35 19 would be a small improvement in gearing without an undue increase in the rear fender gap.
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JDMlover 8:09PM (2/11/2009)
F****KING SWEET !!!!!
This is really nice. Its lookes even better with the F-Sport parts and will perform better also. Sweet.
Even better everything is under warranty !!
performance Lexus....=D
NOW BRING THE F.
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JDMlover 8:13PM (2/11/2009)
Also....
That GS in the pic is freaking sweet. Love it
Looking forward to the 500+ hp V10 GS-F
Lexus needs to push the F-Sport parts more [ Ads, commercial etc ]
Go Lexus.
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P.V. 8:39PM (2/11/2009)
Ummm, how do appearance packages (in reference to your previous comment) improve performance by anything more than a slight margin? And why should Lexus advertise for appearance packages? They should advertise the performance cars, not the performance-looking cars. That's like Audi shifting advertising from the RS4 to the A4 S-Line appearance trim. Logic = fail!
Compared to the understated elegance of the SC (IMO) drop-top, the IS convertible looks like a horrible mishmash of something I can't say here.
On the other hand, I do look forward to the introduction of the GS F (FYI JDMlover, there's no hyphen between xS and F, whatever 'x' may be). That will be totally sweet!
JDMlover 9:01PM (2/11/2009)
If you look at the perforamnce of the base IS250 then Compare it a IS250 fitted with all the F-Sport parts. Its noticebly faster and handles better. It handle like the IS-F and if you dont believe me look at the review of the IS250 F-Sport.
Lexus should advertise this for Lexus owners who wish to up the perforamnce on their Lexus cars. No this is not dumb if they do this but it needs to be done in the right way. The can still advertise the F line. No one said they had to stop that to do this. This will also be a good look for Lexus as they will show they are moving more into the perforamnce division...whats bad about that if they are trying to up their image?
Oh an btw...i never said anything about the appreance package making the car faster. I said it looks even better.
notYou 10:18PM (2/11/2009)
JDMlover: "If you look at the perforamnce of the base IS250 then Compare it a IS250 fitted with all the F-Sport parts. Its noticebly faster and handles better. It handle like the IS-F and if you dont believe me look at the review of the IS250 F-Sport."
Really?
Car and Driver said this (after adding 15K of F-Sport options to a base 31K IS250):
Perhaps the biggest let down is that the new performance exhaust and intake (while issuing a nice, baritone note) could never possibly hope to increase power enough to make the IS 250 feel anything more than adequately quick. Though Lexus claims up to a 1.5 percent and 3 percent power increase from the exhaust and intake, respectively, the IS 250's 2.5-liter V-6 only puts out 204 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque to begin with -- that's not a lot to work with.
...
Verdict: Factory-backed performance, but it doesn't come cheap. And it's still not fast.
(they had kudos for the brakes, but 6K is a lot of dosh for 'great brakes!')
Coco 9:05PM (2/11/2009)
Forget all the accessories Lexus, just put a damn stick in the IS350!
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Quan 12:05PM (2/12/2009)
The IS convertible actually looks pretty good from that angle.
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Trevor Pinchme 2:10PM (2/12/2009)
Yeah... this picture looks a lot better than the red one from a previous post. I wonder how much the lexus convertible will sell for? ie. How does it compare to a BMW 328i hardtop convertible.
Quan 5:04PM (2/12/2009)
I would imagine that it's about $5,000 cheaper or so. The 3 Series is definitely the better car though.
Other Man 4:49PM (2/12/2009)
"... fully-kitted IS 350 equipped with all the F-Sport goodies ..."
Agreed. An IS350 F-Sport is priced like an S4. I'd be interested in how it stacked up to it and a 335i sedan.
That black with black rims 350 looks great, too.
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