5 Things You Should Know About the LS 500 F SPORT

1. Styling Updates

At first glance, you might think that the F SPORT is simply a new LS with a revised front fascia and some badges. But a tremendous amount of work went into making the LS' sporting model look distinctive yet just as stunning as the original. CAD operators spent an incredible five months to design the updated grille, for example, just to ensure it had the desired texture and interaction with light.

In addition to the new front grille, which sports 7,100 individual surfaces (compared to the LS 500's 5,000); the F Sport has a number of additional styling changes. They include larger and functional side vents, unique rocker panels, special trunk moldings, and of course, plenty of F Sport badges. 

>>Join the conversation about the LS 500 F Sport right here in the Club Lexus Forum!

2. Suspension and Brakes

With all other F Sport models, the focus with the dynamic version of the LS 500 remains on the suspension side of things. The F SPORT uses the latest version of Lexus' Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), which controls longitudinal, lateral and vertical motion and yaw, roll, and pitch. This helps keep the F Sport flat in corners while also providing exceptional ride quality.

And if you opt for the gas-powered LS 500, you get even more handling goodness. That model comes with Lexus Dynamic Handling featuring Variable Gear Ratio Steering and Active Rear Steering, Active Stabilizer, and a sport-tuned air suspension with rapid height function. No matter which model you choose, you'll get brakes with 6-piston calipers up front and 4-pistons in the rear, 20-inch wheels, and 245/45RF20 and 275/40RF20 tires.

>>Join the conversation about the LS 500 F Sport right here in the Club Lexus Forum!

3. Interior Changes

A number of interior enhancements work together to make the cabin of the F SPORT feel more special than the base model LS. The front seats feature tons of bolstering, a perforated grille pattern, scored aluminum trim, and F Sport stitching in the headrest. There's also a special F Sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and perforated shift knob and footrest. Luxurious Ultra suede is wrapped around the headliner and seats for a nice upscale look and feel. And the F SPORT is the only LS available with a Circuit Red interior, which would go quite nicely with the exclusive white exterior.

>>Join the conversation about the LS 500 F Sport right here in the Club Lexus Forum!

4. Technology

In addition to the revolutionary suspension, the F SPORT also uses a host of other unique features. Perhaps the coolest lies in the instrument panel, where the speedometer and tachometer use a movable meter with a sliding ring to display information. This setup is a modern adaptation of the same one used in the LFA supercar.

>>Join the conversation about the LS 500 F Sport right here in the Club Lexus Forum!

5. Performance and Drivetrain

The F Sport is available in either LS 500 or LS 500h guise, both utilizing the same powertrains as the standard LS. If you opt for the LS 500, you'll get the all-new twin turbo 3.5 liter V6 producing 415 horsepower and 442 lo-fi of torque. The 10-speed transmission is the first of its kind ever used in a luxury sedan. Lexus claims that the LS 500 in rear wheel drive will scoot to 60 miles per hour in around 4.5 seconds.

The multi-stage hybrid LS 500h uses a naturally aspirated version of the 3.5-liter V6 in unison with two electric motors to produce a combined output of 354 hp. The transmission is actually a 4-speed automatic but uses a pair of gear sets to provide the same effect as a 10-speed transmission. The result is a 5.2 second 0-60 sprint, which is actually 3/10ths of a second faster than the previous generation AWD LS 600h.

>>Join the conversation about the LS 500 F Sport right here in the Club Lexus Forum!

Check out the how- to sections of ClubLexus.com for help with keeping your car running right.