Lexus IS F could return for last hurrah

Reports out of Japan suggest the Lexus IS F will return for one final round of biffo with arch-rivals such as the BMW M3 and Audi RS 4, complete with a powered-up petrol V8.

However, if Spyder7 is right and the new Lexus IS F is revealed in October 2022, it won’t be available in Australia.

That’s because the latest Lexus IS – the premium Japanese mid-size sedan on which it’s based – was banned from sale here in November 2021 because it doesn’t meet new federal side impact regulations, despite being ‘renewed’ just a year earlier in October 2020.

Other vehicles such as the Nissan GT-R were also scotched from sale in Australia due to the same laws.

According to Japanese media the new Lexus IS F will score the same long-running naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 that’s seen in the US-market Lexus IS 500 F Sport (as well as the previous IS F and the latest RC F coupe, which was also axed here last year), but with a bit of tickling to deliver more power – up from around 352kW to 360kW.

The 2023 Lexus IS F could also be a bit lighter thanks to the possible inclusion of a carbon-fibre roof and bonnet, the latter with a power bulge and air scoop, alongside several eye-catching aero upgrades such as a new body kit including a front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser.

Lexus Australia has promised to double the proportion of electrified vehicles it sells from 40 per cent today to 80 per cent by 2025, and to sell all-electric versions of every model in its portfolio by 2030.

That suggests the next Lexus IS offered in Australia will be available as a fully electric vehicle, alongside regular combustion and hybrid versions.

Earlier in the year the Japanese luxury car brand revealed the Lexus Electrified Sedan Concept, which looks set to replace Lexus IS in due course and deliver a Telsa Model 3 competitor for the brand, something the Australian operation is keen to expedite.

“I’m not confirming we’re getting another IS today but IS was a really good car for us and Australian customers loved it. We will continue to look from a product planning perspective… in terms of what that [replacement] is going to look like,” said Lexus Australia chief executive John Pappas.

“I can’t confirm anything but it’s very exciting for us,” he said, refusing to rule out a battery-electric version of the Lexus IS sedan.

As the next-gen Lexus IS looks set to make a play for EV buyers, whose numbers are expected to swell by orders of magnitude by the end of this decade, the Lexus Australia boss wouldn’t rule out the return of an all-new V8-powered Lexus IS F in future, and there’s talk of a high-tech hybrid V8 powerplant in the wings.

“Australians loved the IS and we saw really good growth last year with IS, so for us the IS is still important,” he said.

“With regards to the V8, and I can’t confirm or deny we’re bringing out a new V8, but with the high-performance electric sports car concept we’ve been showing lately, there could still be opportunities there for potential V8-electric,” he said.

“There’s nothing confirmed, but it’s not out of the question,” he stated.

The engine in question is widely expected to be the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that’s been undergoing testing in motorsport since late 2019, and it’s understood to be capable of developing around 450kW and 750Nm in its base form.

According to recent reports from Japanese website Bestcar, the new V8 will crank out more than 700kW (950hp) when paired with electric motors and a hybrid system.

As Pappas implied, the wild new hybrid V8 powertrain could propel a successor for the limited-edition Lexus LFA supercar, delivering electrifying pace to give high-end hybrid exotics from Europe a run for their money.

Despite the lack of hard-core ‘F’ models in its range at present, the Lexus Australia chief said the Japanese luxury brand has not given up on high-performance vehicles.

“Performance is a core part of our DNA. It will continue to be and the new Shimoyama facility is actually a great example of how seriously we’re taking the whole process,” stated Pappas.

The Shimoyama testing facility is Lexus’ and Toyota’s cutting-edge $3.6 billion proving ground which replicates some elements and section of Germany’s legendary Nurburgring road course.

All new Lexus models will be developed at the facility, which Pappas said will help fast-track their development.

“I’m now getting all the stories about how we go about testing at that facility and it’s fascinating. It’s going to be a pivotal part of what Lexus does. I’m seriously excited about what we’ve got coming,” he said.

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