Lexus Exec Suggests There Won’t Be A New IS F

Lexus has suggested it is unlikely a new-age IS F sports sedan will be released.

Ever since Lexus killed off the previous-generation IS F, there has been talk about the possibility of a new one launching. Speaking with Motoring, however, Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson said there are no such plans on the agenda.

“How do I answer that question? It’s one of my favorite cars that we’ve ever produced, [but] there’s no plans at the moment [to release another one],” he told the publication.

If a new IS F were to be launched, it wouldn’t arrive with a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine like other current ‘F’ badged models. Instead, the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine of the LS 500 was thought to be a likely candidate.

Also Read: 2020 Lexus IS F Sport Keeps It Fresh With Blackline Special Edition Spec

Lexus is in the midst of developing an all-new IS model underpinned by Toyota’s new TNGA architecture. With no signs of key competition including the Mercedes-AMG C 63, BMW M3, and Audi RS4 going anywhere despite clampdowns on fuel efficiency and exhaust emissions, a new Lexus IS F would certainly provide a nice alternative to the established Germans.

According to Thompson, current offerings such as the RC F, RC F Track Edition, GS F, and LC 500 all make up for the lack of an IS F in the Lexus family.

An exciting piece of technology that will make it to the road in future production-focused Lexus models is ‘posture control’. Debuting in the recent LF-30 concept unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, this technology has the potential to drastically alter the performance of a vehicle.

“Posture control is bigger than just simply propulsion. It’s about what electrification can deliver to the vehicle in terms of its performance. Posture control looks at the adaptive nature of the vehicle — turning as well as propulsion and other aspects to improve performance,” Thompson said. “I can’t definitively tell you about the time frame, but in terms of the LF-30, some of those technologies you’ve seen and heard about will come well inside that [2030] timeframe.”