Didn’t know there was a Lexus Crafted Line so it caught my eye. Almost sounds like a joint Lexus-Sears product but that would make no sense. Turns out the Crafted Line is a limited, high-end add on to a Lexus F-Sport package and only 750 LS models (and 1,500 GS) were made. Makes it a unicorn, I believe. The Crafted Line alone does nothing for performance (the F-Sport part does), and instead includes premium accessories, …uh “interesting” two-toned seats (I think they look a little out of place in this luxury car), and even a matching two-piece set of luggage. Not seeing the luggage in the CarMax photos.
The Crafted Line includes a Shimamoku trim, “alternating layers of dark & light wood veneers are layered and shaped in a process involving 67 manufacturing steps over the course of 38 days” according to the Lexus Enthusiast website. (Ashamed I thought in the CarMax pix it just looked damaged!) The Lexus LS 460 F-Sport sports 386hp vs 360hp in a base model, and sadly Car and Driver reports only a 0.1 second reduction in 0-60mph times. Check out the engine bay below – have you ever seen a more buttoned up “stay outta here” cover?
The air-suspensioned F-Sport also corners at .87g’s against .81 for the base model, and also brakes better with upgraded grippers. This model sold for probably more than $90,000 and for $38,998 isn’t a bad deal. Check out the Motor Trend review, and the Top Speed review from 2015. More performance, more style, and exclusivity with only 750 units – along with Lexus reliability means no need for MaxCare.
Despite my whining about the luggage and the seats, I could easily drive this if I hadn’t gone for the Mercedes S600 last year. Also, if the Crafted Line limited edition doesn’t appeal to you, the same performance is available in a run of the mill LS 460 F-Sport for $3,000 less with this nearly identical model. Find this two owner Florida car here in Irving, Texas.
Super classy selection. I miss my GS350 f-sport. That crafted line looks tight!
How do you know what model it is out of 750?
No idea. Mercedes stingy on production and sales data and went with web deduction (extrapolation? guess?) on how many were made worldwide and the percentage sent to the US. Not very reliable, and yet I’m confident there ain’t a lot of them here.