You have to take the BMW approach...."build it and they will come." I think the "F" cars don't necessarily have to directly compete with the M / AMG. It could be as/slightly more powerful than the mid tier German offerings (M340, C43 AMG, S4) but can't be priced like true M cars. The downfall of the GSF was pricing. Lexus can't directly compete on price.

 

LMAO

putting the LS500 engine in the NX will increase its price $10-20K alone probably.

 

Not at all. Do you really not understand the difference between adding more power and other tuning to a RWD sport sedan platform that already drives and handles very well; vs. putting a bigass motor in a CUV based on a FWD econobox?

 

Seems like I really don't, just like I don't understand why Lexus doesn't bother making cars that can be reasonably fun and also practical.

 

IMO that's abandoning the ISF, because they still produced the engine with MORE HP/TQ and put it in a heavier Sedan (GS) and Heavier Coupe (RC). They could have put that same tuned V8 into a 3IS. The limited produced cars sold and are highly sought after. It's not like the ISF was a flop. Only reason the GSF doesn't sell more is because you can get an M3 for less. They cost a few grand less than a loaded C63 AMG which will crush it. Why not build 100 or so 3IS IS F with the 472 HP V8 and price it at $60k base. I guarantee it would sell like crazy.

 

Call it what you want, it's returning within the next few years which is a hiatus. They built the 4GS with the intention of putting a V8 option in it (GS F). I demonstrated this almost seven years ago when it debuted, showing the engine bay and all the room left between the engine block and the radiator. 3IS won't fit the 2UR-GSE, and they never had plans to do another skunkworks project to make it fit. They intended the RC and 4GS to have one. Much like the second generation Cadillac V's only came in CTS sedan, coupe, and wagon form before branching out again across the model lines, The RC F and GS F are filler, while the next generation of F's switch to FI.

Width:
70.9in 2IS
71.5in IS F (5.0 was shoehorned into the 2IS)
71.3in 3IS
72.4in RC
72.6in RC F
72.6in GS F

 

They are Porsches, Mercedes, BMW's, people will buy them for the name alone. I don't see there being a market for a expensive tuned Lexus NX as Lexus has never had much success with expensive tuned versions of their core models. There are markets for M5's, M3's, AMG too but that does not mean a Lexus competitor will have the same amount of interest or desire. Lexus will again price it way too high like they have done with the IS-F, GS-F, RC-F, and to some extent the LC and people will go to the Porsche's, Mercedes, BMW's. While the Macan does have a crappy 4 cyl base engine, it is still a higher end vehicle then the NX, I think most see it as a higher end vehicle then a RX.

 

There's a guy that did the GSF motor swap in his 3IS and thus they screwed up royally by not giving us a 2nd Gen ISF. Lexus should not be compared to Buick, Chrysler, Acura et al to then give them a pass. Lexus is above those marques. Lexus competes with the best and has failed in the performance sector in relation to the Germans. I left BMW for Lexus and now back to BMW because Lexus doesn't make a decent performance car under 75k. The 2L turbo i had was a massive failure, turbo lag galore, drank gas like a V10 etc.

The 8AR-FTS is the worst turbo of any other competing manufacturer from a performance perspective. Most of us like the brand but corp just doesn't seem to care about our wants and thus we are forced to take a stand with our dollars. The BMW 330i engine is superior in every way to the IS200T, extremely fuel efficient with performance that may even give the IS350 a run for its money.

 

With some work, it can be done as EXE46 has noted. Not sure the long-term viability...

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-is-500-a.html

 

 

A Russian guy with a lot of money making this one-off work is impressive. I chose my words poorly, clearly it can be done with extensive modifications and considering the 2IS was narrower. But back to the main point, that doesn't mean the 3IS was never intended to have the 2UR-GSE. Lexus would have made it if they did, instead they chose to give it to the RC and GS for these generations. Simply put, the IS F will return next generation featuring the V35A-FTS

 

The issue is Lexus Vehicles are mostly based on cheap basic FWD platforms used by $20k Toyotas or ancient truck platforms underpinning the LandCruiser.

They did develop a new rear drive platform on which current LS and LC sit.
The upcoming IS will also use a version of this platform.

Your question might be - well why is there no SUV on this luxury RWD platform on which then you can easily create F performance vehicle. Answer is Toyota is the cheapest company in the world. If they sold out the Supra name, then nothing is sacred.

Their poor LC-F has still not been introduced......

 

and by the time it is finally launched, it will be DOA.

 

Is there anything concrete suggesting an LC-F? Other than the Frankenstein LFA test mule, I haven't seen anything that hints at an LC F. Earlier rumors about an LC reveal might have been in reference to the convertible.