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Lexus has a mystery F Sport reveal for us coming up this Monday morning. Turn your dials to the YouTube video above at 11 a.m. ET today to see what new performance model Lexus has to offer.
The teaser image is exactly the same as it was a week ago. There’s a simple F Sport badge sitting proudly on an engine cover, but no exact indication of what the car is. We picked the engine cover out as the same cover found in the RC F, suggesting that the car we’re going to see has the 5.0-liter V8 under its hood. However, the F Sport badge contradicts this, as the only cars with the performance V8 in Lexus’ lineups are full F models (without the Sport moniker).
We’ll certainly be tuning in at 11 to see exactly what Lexus has for us. Could it be the IS 500 that we wondered about a week ago? Or is it some other mysterious F Sport model? All will be revealed in short time.
In the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport range, the Badlands is marketed as the off-road specialist. To back that up, it includes an array of off-road-oriented features. As it turns out, though, some of those features also make it the most entertaining version on the street. Add in ample convenience features and competitive pricing, and you have the best Bronco Sport and a serious competitor among rugged, entry-level crossovers.
Distinguishing the Badlands from other Bronco Sports are the mechanical upgrades. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque (on premium fuel). Those are increases of 69 hp and 87 lb-ft over other Bronco Sport models. It’s coupled to an eight-speed automatic sending power to all four wheels, but it gets a torque-vectoring dual-clutch rear differential. And in addition to providing torque vectoring, it, and the center differential, can be locked for extra traction. The transmission and rear diff get their own oil coolers, too. The Badlands comes standard with 28.5-inch all-terrain tires as standard, with 29-inch tires as an option. The Badlands also gets off-road-tuned suspension with hydraulic bump stops, skid plates, unique Mud and Rock Crawl drive modes (aka G.O.A.T modes), a front-mounted camera, as well as Ford’s off-road cruise control system called Trail Control.
We’ve previously spent some time with the Badlands off-road, where its trail tools performed admirably. This time, we were able to try it out in its real natural habitat, city streets and freeways, and it more than makes a case for itself here, too. The engine is a sweetheart. Not only does it deliver every bit of its rated output, it does so over a fat power band, making it quick in nearly any situation. Then there’s that trick rear axle. While not the same as what was found in the dearly departed Ford Focus RS, it operates in a similar manner: on either side of the differential is a clutch that can engage or disengage an axle to send power to the wheel where it’s most needed (torque-vectoring). And in sport mode, the torque-vectoring tuning is adjusted, and even more of the engine's torque is sent rearward. This seriously changes the character of the Bronco Sport, making it more neutral and willing to power through corners. In the default mode, or in the regular 1.5-liter-equipped Bronco Sport that has a more conventional, non-torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, there’s more natural tendency toward understeer. We’d love to see Ford make this all-wheel-drive system available in something like an Escape ST.
Not all of these changes necessarily improve the on-road experience, but they don’t really detract from it either. The off-road-tuned suspension can be a little busy and bumpy over mildly rough pavement, something we noted with a non-Badlands Bronco Sport. It does breeze through big potholes, though. There’s some mild-to-moderate body roll, due in part to the crossover’s tall stature. Still, it’s quite responsive and maneuverable. The all-terrain tires also had more than adequate grip and are surprisingly quiet, maintaining the well-isolated cabin's serenity.
If there's one area that could use improvement, it’s the slow-shifting automatic transmission – be it left to its own devices or, worse, when prodded by the driver in manual mode.? Fortunately, it's smooth enough and the transmission computer has a good shift logic, so it doesn’t shift too often and doesn’t have to go through multiple cogs to get to the one it wants.
While the Badlands’ mechanical bits are its main draw, it also receives some nice interior upgrades. Dark blue or orange upholstery replaces the plain black or gray found in entry-level models, and an equally attractive brown leather upholstery is an option. Those colors are mirrored on plastic trim in the doors and dash, which brighten up the otherwise dull interior and distract from some of the cheaper hard plastics on display. Ford also offers an optional brown and black leather and faux suede that’s even fancier. Regardless of upholstery, the front seats feature heating and multiple ways to adjust them, with the driver getting power adjustment. Automatic climate control is standard, with dual-zone as an option.
The Badlands comes standard with the same 8-inch infotainment system as every Bronco Sport along with also-standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and four USB ports. The touchscreen is bright, sharp and responsive, and located where it’s easy to read and reach. The instrument panel relies on traditional analog gauges bolstered by a 6.5-inch central display. It features eye-catching graphics, which is generally a good thing, but when selecting drive/GOAT modes, it takes forever for the system to cycle through the special mode-specific animation. The lag time between turning the mode dial and its confirmation onscreen is far too long, though also an issue we've found in other Fords.
It doesn’t miss out on too much compared to the nearly identically priced, but far less powerful, Outer Banks trim level. The ostensibly more plush Outer Banks includes dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, ambient lighting, leather-trimmed seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start, and rain-sensing wipers. Most of these features are available on the Badlands with the addition of the $2,595 Badlands Package. But even without that, we’d take the Badlands over the Outer Banks for the much improved driving experience.
Besides being an attractive package compared to other trim levels, the Bronco Sport Badlands is a highly competitive rugged crossover. Not that it's easy to identify obvious apples-to-apples competitors. It's roomier than Jeep's Renegade and Compass Trailhawk models, and offers more power and better handling while featuring at least as much off-road capability. It's also pricier ($4,000 more than Renegade; $2,000 more than Compass). Above it in size and price are the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, Subaru Outback XT and Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road, but their powertrains hardly align and the latter pair are hardly rock crawlers.
Of course, the Bronco Sport, particularly the Badlands, has broad enough appeal that it can easily be considered by those who have no intention of ever going off-road. So, if you’re simply in the market for a stylish, capable little crossover, you owe it to yourself to check out the Bronco Sport, and in particular the Badlands. Sure, it will get you surprisingly far off-road, but it will also keep you quite entertained on the road, all at a reasonable price.
The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance revives the dormant IS F formula, bringing V8 power back to the compact luxury Japanese sport sedan for the first time since 2014 and confirming rumors of a new series of V8-powered performance (small p) cars from Lexus.
Very little surprises us these days, especially in the luxury segment, but if you'd told us a month ago that we'd be confirming a V8-powered Lexus IS and a new, all-four-cylinder lineup for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class in the same week, we'd have called you crazy. Parent company Toyota's presence in Texas may have rubbed off on Lexus, though, because after a years-long hiatus, the V8-powered IS sedan returns. That's right. A V8. In a brand-new compact sport sedan. In 2021.?
The new sport sedan will pack a 472-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8 with 395 pound-feet of torque, making it the spiritual successor to the discontinued Lexus IS F. For those keeping track at home, yes, that's the same V8 Lexus has utilized elsewhere in recent years. It currently powers the RC F coupe and, until last year, was also found under the hood of the larger GS F sedan. Like the BMW M3 it matches for power, the Lexus will come standard with rear-wheel drive and a limited-slip differential, making it a true performance machine.
Power will go to the rear end by way of the same eight-speed automatic Lexus uses elsewhere as well. Sorry, folks, there's no stick, but hey, the IS F didn't have one either, so let's not get too picky. The original IS F also offered just 416 horsepower and 371 lb.-ft. of torque, so remember, this is all upside here. The original also launched without the LSD, if you'll remember; that came later.?
The other significant edge the IS 500 F Sport Performance will have over its two-generations-removed predecessor will be the benefit of almost a decade's worth of interior development. While the IS platform was not significantly overhauled for the 2021 "re-imagining" (as Lexus puts it; we prefer the term "remodel"), the interior was, and the IS 500 F Sport Performance will benefit from all of the base sedan's upgrades, including a thoroughly overhauled infotainment system, which is night-and-day better than what was offered previously. The seats in the IS 500 F Sport Performance appear to be the same found in the IS 350 F Sport, which makes sense.??
The IS 500 F Sport Performance will lift the rest of the IS 350 RWD's F Sport package goodies too, so adaptive variable suspension and upgraded springs, dampers and anti-roll bars should also be in the cards, albeit with adjustments to account for the IS 500 F Sport Performance's additional 143 pounds of curb weight. Yep, that 5.0 will cost you about as much as taking your neighbor along for a joy ride. Lexus claims the IS 500 F Sport Performance sits at 3,891 pounds. The original IS F tipped the scales at 3,780, by the way.
Lexus made no mention of an all-wheel-drive model, which may be bad news for those who need a one-size-fits-all solution, but the AWD system offered in the IS only adds weight and complexity. It's also a bit of an inconvenience, because it requires a noticeable protrusion into the driver’s side footwell to make room for the necessary drivetrain components. It is also paired with a decidedly less sophisticated (or snappy) six-speed automatic. With apologies to those who feel they need the extra driven wheels, we're not bothered by the omission.?
You'll note that Lexus snuck the word "Performance" into the new, V8-powered car's name. Lexus is calling this the first in a new line of enthusiast-oriented models that "will appeal to passionate driving enthusiasts that crave higher levels of performance over the standard F SPORT models." While that means a V8 here, Lexus made no indication that we should read that into any subsequent Performance (capital P) versions. Color us intrigued — and more than a little excited.
We also don't know what this means for the future of "F" as the Lexus performance brand. The existence of the RC F coupe has long served as rationalization for not reviving the Lexus IS F sedan, so we can't help but wonder whether we should take this as a sign that the coupe is not long for this world. Our dearly departed friend, the GS F, certainly sets a grim precedent.?
Rumours of the return of an F variant with the IS sedan were confirmed today as Lexus launched the IS 500 F Sport Performance. Interestingly, the IS 500 F Sport Performance becomes the first in a new line of models to be called F Sport Performance.
F names aren't new to Lexus; many will recall the brand’s previous F models, pure sports cars powered by a V8 engine. There's even still one to be found in the carmaker’s lineup, the RC.? There’s also the F Sport option package available with several Lexus models currently, but its don't necessarily deliver a much higher level of performance.
Now, Lexus announced the F Series will be renamed F Sport Performance, with the 2022 IS 500 leading the way. It comes equipped with a 5.0L V8 engine, and with 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque to its name, there's no doubt that performance will be at the heart of the driving experience. The mechanics of the model are the same as the RC F, right down to the power and torque figures.
Interestingly, the model is exclusive to the North American market.
Up to now, the news has been more encouraging than not when it comes to the revived Bronco that Ford is launching this year. There’s been a ton of anticipation, a ton of pre-orders and much looking forward to seeing both the bigger Bronco and the smaller Bronco Sport on the road.
In the case of the Bronco Sport, which is essentially a more adventurous version of the Ford Escape, the first models are in fact on the road, while we still await big brother Bronco.
Unfortunately, the first roll-out of the Sport has now been followed by a first recall, which is obviously something Ford would rather not be doing right now. The automaker says that 1,666 units of the model in all are being recalled, this after an internal investigation revealed that some Bronco Sports left the factory loose or missing rear suspension bolts.
The rear suspension of the Bronco Sport is bolted to a subframe, and it’s there that there are pieces loose or missing. When this is so, the ride can be bouncy or nervous, to say the least. The problem also increases the risk of an accident and can compromise safety in the event of a rear-end collision.
Fortunately, Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the problem. In total, 1,640 of the 1666 Bronco Sport units that are being recalled are on U.S. soil, while 24 are in Canada and two are in Mexico. The models thought to have the faulty suspension were assembled at the Hermosillo plant in Mexico between July 22 and November 24, 2020. These were the first vehicles to be built.
Ford has not indicated when it will officially launch the campaign to make the repairs. Once at the dealership, a technician will check that the bolts are present and tightened according to specifications. Replacement bolts will be installed, if necessary.
If you own a Bronco Sport, you can always have it checked at your dealership before receiving notification from Ford.
