No more F models, but F Sport on its way
Lexus says the IS F is one of a kind, but F Sport accessories could make it Down Under soonLexus' new IS F supersports sedan may prove to be one of a kind, but the Japanese marque is keen to debut its US-developed F Sport accessory range Down Under. Speaking at last week's launch of the new 311kW V8-engine IS F sedan (more here), Lexus Australia Chief Executive John Roca confirmed F Sport was on the agenda for the local market, but watered down speculation that we'd see more factory F models any time soon.
"The IS F is more than a toe in the water... But Lexus is by its nature conservative," Roca told the Carsales Network.
"We're not really promising there's going to be anything else than IS F at this stage -- maybe with the exception of LF-A, if we get that car. It's important that this one is successful -- it's no different from the first LS... If that wasn't a success we probably wouldn't be here today."
Roca likened the IS F to Audi's RS strategy, where only one model is produced at once -- albeit with body variants. That said, he denied the upcoming coupe/cabrio IS250 would spawn a go-fast IS F version. He labelled 'news' from the UK about a GS F as speculation.
He is keen, however, to see the F Sport range of accessories made available via Lexus dealers Down Under.
Produced by Lexus USA, the F Sport line-up currently consists of suspension, exhaust and intake, brake and dress-up parts for the IS range. It's expected F Sport will add a line of GS parts in early 2009.
Roca says the F Sport range of accessories has the potential to help sales of the IS F and improve the penetration of the brand into younger owner groups.
"The F Sport range will help. We believe we'll get a number of younger people aspiring to own an IS F one day, but an IS with F Sport accessories may be a stepping stone to that," he said.
Roca warned, however, that the F Sport equipment still need to pass both internal and regulatory hurdles before it can be sold Down Under.
"Plus I really want to get IS F here and bedded down... People won't want to buy accessories until they have a halo [car] to match it with. We've got to establish the car as a hero first," Roca opined.
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