For Lexus, F means fast

Mercedes has AMG. BMW has the M division. Toyota has its unfortunately named TRD tuning shop. And now Lexus will get it’s own go-fast division called “F.” Lexus filed a trademark for the "F" logo on October 9th and a trademark for IS-F on November 8th and with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The first car to be endowed with it will be the new IS-F sedan, which will come with a retuned version of the V8 found in the LS600h and develop around 425hp. The IS-F will debut at next month’s Detroit auto show and will be priced in the region of $50,000, reported Reuters today.

Other models in the pipeline include the GS-F sedan and the IS-F coupe. Previously, Lexus has built high-performance sedans using hybrid technology (such as the GS450h pictured above), but it looks like they've finally succumbed to using petrol engines. There’s no word yet on whether Lexus will offer the coupe body with lower-spec engines, but there’s a good chance they will.