How do we feel about trackable crossovers? | Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance debut

J.A.
By J.A. Ackley
Jun 1, 2022 | Lexus, F Sport, RX, RX 500h F Sport Performance

Photography by J.A.Ackley unless otherwise credited

On the evening of May 31, not long before Toyota's big reveal of the GR Corolla Morizo, GR86 Cup car and GR86 Special Edition, Lexus debuted the RX 500h F Sport Performance.

Powered by a 2.4-liter hybrid powertrain, total output comes to 367 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, which, according to Lexus, means the RX is capable of a zero-to-60 time of only 5.9 seconds. Plus, it gets better combined gas mileage than the base 2.4-liter turbo RX 350.

Photograph Courtesy Lexus

So, do you think that crossovers can make for trackable cars?

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Comments
sleepyhead the buffalo
sleepyhead the buffalo GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
6/1/22 12:16 p.m.

So, do you think that crossovers can make for trackable cars?

Yes.

And, I'd expect nothing less from the company that's raced a C-HR at the Nurburgring N24 in the past...

 

Definitely gone now
Definitely gone now SuperDork
6/1/22 12:17 p.m.

Hideous. Huge. Pig. Can a pig run? Yeah, very fast. Is it still a pig? Yeah, very much. 
 

crossovers aren't SUVs. They are lifted cars. So can a crossover handle well? Yep. Just like a car can be made to handle well. Cx3, crosstrek, ch-r, just lifted versions of another car already in the line up. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
6/1/22 1:02 p.m.

I think we need to get that new Lexus to the FIRM....

DaleCarter
DaleCarter GRM+ Memberand New Reader
6/1/22 1:06 p.m.

Stelvio Quadrifoglio and the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk says "Hi!" :-)

ClearWaterMS
ClearWaterMS Reader
6/1/22 1:28 p.m.

just because you can doesn't mean I want to.  

A crossover is an SUV without the off-road pre-tenses.  They should be easy to get in/out of, comfortable to soak up miles on the road, and isolate me from the stresses of the outside world when i'm in it (quiet, good HVAC, comfortable, roomy). 

A track toy is a race car that I can drive on the street without a helmet.  It should be firm, fast, and light weight.  

 

In the same way you can mix a great dane and chihuahua to create something called a Chi-Dane-Dane (I googled it, i don't recommend following my footsteps) you shouldn't mix an SUV and a track car.  

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
6/1/22 1:32 p.m.

A few years back, BMW introduced its X5 M at COTA. We got in some track time.

Later in the day, I went for a ride with Bill Auberlen. He didn't just hop the curbs, he pretty much ignored them. Lot of ground clearance, he smiled. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
6/1/22 1:45 p.m.

In reply to ClearWaterMS :

I googled it. 

ClearWaterMS
ClearWaterMS Reader
6/1/22 1:50 p.m.
David S. Wallens said:

In reply to ClearWaterMS :

I googled it. 

sorry for the lost brain cells...

John Welsh
John Welsh Mod Squad
6/1/22 1:59 p.m.

I applaud the efforts of taking CUVs (lifted cars) and lowering them. 

Does that then just make them...cars?

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
6/1/22 2:05 p.m.

In reply to John Welsh :

It's a boot designed for running.

Why not just make a sneaker?

It's a boot designed for running. 

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