Imagine the heart-pounding excitement of Lexus's legendary F performance cars being reduced to a simple software switch – could this spell the end for those standalone speed demons that have rivaled the best from BMW and Mercedes? If you're a fan of raw, unfiltered driving thrills, this news might hit you right in the gut, and it's sparking debates everywhere about what 'performance' really means in the electric future.
In a bold shift toward electrified innovation, Lexus isn't ditching its F badge entirely, but the standalone models designed to go toe-to-toe with BMW's M division or Mercedes-AMG's powerhouse lineup might be a thing of the past. Instead, Japan's premium brand could be reimagining its F heritage as a smart software feature woven into upcoming electric vehicles. This idea comes straight from Lexus's global chief, Takashi Watanabe, who shared his insights with Australian reporters during the bustling Tokyo Motor Show (https://www.drive.com.au/tag/tokyo-motor-show/).
Watanabe explained that the F label is just 'one way' to capture the sporty essence of driving in Lexus's evolving lineup. For beginners dipping into the world of car brands, think of the F division as Lexus's answer to the adrenaline-fueled specialists from German rivals – it's all about delivering that fun, engaging drive that gets your pulse racing. But here's where it gets intriguing: at the show, Lexus unveiled concepts like the LS Coupe and the Sport Concept (https://www.drive.com.au/news/lexus-ls-sedan-could-become-an-suv-six-wheel-van-or-a-single-seat-box-concepts-show/), which aren't branded as full F models. Yet, they sport steering wheels with handy 'F-Mode' buttons, hinting at a new era where performance is dialed up digitally rather than through massive engines.
This setup naturally raises eyebrows about the future of the F brand, famous for beasts like the V8-powered RC F (https://www.drive.com.au/tag/lexus-rc-f/), GS F (https://www.drive.com.au/tag/lexus-gs-f/), and IS F (https://www.drive.com.au/tag/lexus-is-f/), not to mention the legendary LFA supercar (https://www.drive.com.au/showrooms/lexus/lfa/) that still turns heads today. Speaking through an interpreter, Watanabe emphasized that F has long embodied the 'sporting dynamic side' of Lexus, and that emotional, enjoyable driving remains a core priority. 'We're committed to keeping that fun-to-drive spirit alive,' he noted, while adding that Lexus plans to broaden its offerings to appeal to a wider range of drivers.
Sports-oriented features will still play a big role, and we could see some unexpected blends of tech and performance down the line. Traditionally, F models have been defined by their hardware upgrades – things like beefed-up suspension, advanced shock absorbers, and stiffer springs that make the car handle like a dream on twisty roads. But as Lexus charges toward software-defined vehicles (SDVs), which are essentially cars where software runs the show, controlling everything from acceleration to handling, a fresh layer of innovation enters the picture. For those new to this, SDVs mean your car's personality can change with an update, much like tweaking settings on your smartphone, rather than swapping out physical parts.
That F-Mode button on the concepts? It's a prime example of this evolution, delivering sporty vibes through code rather than chrome and steel, while still nodding to the brand's performance roots. Lexus hasn't spilled the beans on exactly what F-Mode does yet, but it's safe to assume it's a high-octane driving profile, sitting next to customizable options that let drivers fine-tune their experience.
When pressed on whether this means goodbye to flagship F cars, Watanabe was diplomatic: 'We don't have fixed plans dictating yes or no.' He stressed that the focus is on delivering value – fun, sporty, high-performance rides – without being boxed in by old labels. 'It's about the end result and what the car brings to the driver,' he said. And this is the part most people miss: this flexible approach could lead to more accessible thrills for everyday drivers, but it might dilute the exclusivity that F fans crave.
Overall, these remarks suggest a quieter role ahead for the F badge, potentially stirring controversy among enthusiasts who argue that true performance can't be coded – it has to be felt through roaring engines and grippy tires. But here's a counterpoint to chew on: in an electric world, software modes might unlock even wilder capabilities, like instant torque bursts or AI-assisted cornering, making high-performance driving safer and greener. What do you think – is this a smart pivot or a betrayal of Lexus's performance legacy? Drop your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're team hardware or team software!
Down under in Australia, Lexus remains optimistic about F's trajectory. The brand has a strong track record here, even though models like the IS F and RC F were pulled from shelves in 2021 due to stricter crash-safety regulations (https://www.drive.com.au/news/axed-lexus-is-sedan-rc-coupe-and-ct-hatch-to-be-dropped-from-local-line-up/). 'We're far from abandoning F; it's still part of our family,' shared Lexus Australia CEO John Pappas during chats at the Tokyo event. 'As a market, we're eager to see how it grows. F has been a hit for us, and those cars you mentioned? Absolute legends on the road.'
He pointed to the buzz around the LBX Morizo RR, a hot hatch variant with a solid waitlist, proving demand for sporty Lexuses is alive and kicking. Australia has long been a hotspot for performance cars from BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus has dipped in and out since the IS F debuted back in 2008. 'It was a shame losing the IS F and the current IS (https://www.drive.com.au/showrooms/lexus/is/) due to side-impact rules,' Pappas reflected. 'The RC F (https://www.drive.com.au/showrooms/lexus/rc/) was fantastic too, and don't forget the GS F from the GS era (https://www.drive.com.au/showrooms/lexus/gs/). We're missing those now, but today's concepts give us hope for exciting times ahead.'
Pappas praised Watanabe as a 'passionate engineer' he's met many times, highlighting the deep engineering talent within Lexus and the broader Toyota family when it comes to crafting standout performance vehicles.
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Alex Misoyannis has been immersed in the automotive world since 2017, launching his own site, Redline, and later contributing to Drive in 2018 before joining CarAdvice in 2019. By 2020, he was a key part of the news team there. Cars have been a lifelong passion for Alex, from poring over magazines as a kid to growing up in a family surrounded by high-performance rides. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) | Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner | Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
Read more about Alex Misoyannis (https://www.drive.com.au/about-drive/our-journalists/alex-misoyannis/)
