These revisions include a new F-Sport package for the IS 250 and 220d, as well as the addition of a limited-slip differential to the high-performance IS-F.

Although the engine and transmission of the IS-F are unchanged, Lexus claims that adding the new differential makes the car two seconds a lap quicker around the Fuji International Speedway, where its test drivers put it through its paces.

The new differential works by sending power to the rear wheel with the most grip, and Lexus says it gives the car much more traction as well as improving its stability in high-speed corners.

Lexus is aiming at the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the luxury compact segment by teasing a LF-Ch concept set to make an appearance in Frankfurt on September 15th.

The LF-Ch emphasizes Toyota’s hybrid and Hybrid Synergy Drive technologies and is touted as possibly becoming an electric-only 5-door premium compact for the Lexus brand.

In the build up to this year’s Tokyo Motor Show it seems there is an abundance of information surrounding  just what will and what won’t (and maybe!) make an appearance in October. One of those is the Lexus LF-A and ahead of the show we’re given another little piece of news.

Apparently the new Lexus 4.8L V10 will be designated “1LR-GEU” according the Japan’s Best Car magazine and although we’ve read it all before, they once again reiterate that the V10 will produce 550PS. With a new snippet of news surfacing on the Lexus LF-A literally coming out every fortnight, it’s quite understandable that Best Car chose to keep this update short and sweet.

The name change that’s been mentioned revolves around some information regarding the restyling effort. Will the restyled LF-A bring with it a departure from the current Lexus performance car naming system? Best Car (BC) has been informed that a name change is on the table but it’s not clear whether this will actually go through and become a reality. We’ve been told that “SS550″ or similar (SS meaning Super Sports, 550 being the power output) could be what the new Lexus sports car will be named in a move to further separate it from the current Lexus performance car, the IS-F.

There is also going to be 30 colors to choose from when the Lexus LF-A goes on sale, 12 standard colors and 18 optional premium colors. That should go some way to make potential buyers feel better about the 22,000,000 JPY asking price! BC haven’t pulled any punches regarding the design of the headlights, looking very similar to the  Nürburgring race car’s design only with an additional tab added underneath for the turn signals. Nevertheless, Lexus LF-A and 086A hype is in full swing in Japan so we should be hearing a lot more about these two as we get closer to October.