You’d fill a very thick book detailing the technology included in the Lexus IS F -- and Lexus did, with the press information pack running to 41 tightly-typed pages, which is surely a record for a new variant for an existing model range.
The bottom line is: the IS F is a miraculous, ground breaking, high performance sedan armed with every conceivable tool to compete in a market segment crowded with superstars.
What You Get
Lexus took the already great IS sedan and transformed it into a supercar.
So complex is the IS F, production is limited to just 25 vehicles per day and local Lexus dealers secure just 10 per month to sell nationally.
Powered by a very special, high revving V8 engine, driving the rear wheels via an eight-speed direct shift transmission, the IS F is the first high performance Lexus launched. The ‘F’ nomenclature stands for Japan’s Fuji Speedway, for many years the site of the Japanese Grand Prix and the home of Lexus performance vehicle development.
Throughout the car is a bewildering array of high tech driver aids and safety features appropriate for a high performance sedan with a price tag north of $129,000.
Under The Hood
Lexus called on Yamaha to assist in development of the IS F’s five-litre quad cam V8. The motorcycle giant knows a thing or two about high-revving performance engines, and provided cylinder heads with a wider valve angle and titanium valves for improved breathing.
Maximum power is 311kW at 6600 rpm and peak torque is 505Nm at 5200 rpm – that’s more power (but 25 less Nm) than the Mercedes-Benz E500 V8, and ahead (on both counts) of the BMW 550 V8. Fuel consumption is rated at 11.4l/100kms (combined cycle).
The IS F rockets from zero to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 270km/h. Changes in the eight-speeder are slick -- just 0.1 seconds (0.05 seconds slower than an F1 Grand Prix racer), making it the world’s fastest gearbox.
It has three settings -- ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ or ‘Snow’ – and can be used as a manual (steering wheel paddle shifts or via the gear-lever), but with an auto-blip function on downchanges, even sporty drivers just leave it in ‘D’.
The Interior
There’s no denying Lexus is a luxury brand and luxury features abound inside the IS F -- but with sports car touches everywhere.
For starters, the leather seats have nicely-styled ‘F’ logos embroidered in the sides (both front and rear). Silver carbon fibre trim finishes surround the gear lever, there are aluminium pedals and a superb thick, three-spoke, leather-wrapped sports steering wheel.
The black and silver trimmed instrument cluster has the conventional two dials with blue graphics. Dominating the center console is the seven-inch Electro Multi-Vision screen for the audio, satellite navigation, reversing camera and climate control air-conditioning. The eight-stack Mark Levinson CD sound system has 14 speakers and is compatible with MP3, WMA and Bluetooth.
Unique IS F sports seats are very well bolstered for high speed cornering, and with electronic adjustment plus reach/rake adjustment for the steering wheel, a first-rate driving position is assured for just about everybody.
In the rear are two separate sculptured seats with a central armrest and cupholders. Legroom isn’t huge as the IS F is a mid-size sedan.
Exterior & Styling
Even the black paintwork of our test car couldn’t hide the aggressive exterior styling of the IS F. This thing looks fast just standing still – but we’d order one in Vermillion (red) paint.
Aerodynamics is the key and immediately noticeable are the large extractor vents in the front fenders. In fact the entire aero work is straight from Formula One – a process called ‘Air Rectification’ which balances downforce and airflow around the body.
The package includes a unique under-engine aero kit and other enhancements which deliver so much downforce, the IS F engineers were able to back-off chasing mechanical grip from the suspension to provide a slightly more luxurious ride (but, like BMW M5, it’s still very firm).
At the front, the deep bumper has a trapezoidal shape and large cooling ducts. The bonnet also has a noticeable bulge to accommodate the V8.
Flared wheel arches were required to house the 19-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels and there are thicker sills.
At the rear, the overhang is slightly longer than standard IS models thanks to the unique trapezoidal bumper and twin-stack four tailpipes.
On The Road
Just as you would expect, Lexus has embodied the IS F with the ability to be both a relaxed everyday cruiser and a take-no-prisoners road rocket. The execution is tantalizingly brilliant.
Over our high speed mountain roads test route, the IS F was just gob-smackingly fast. Good as the eight-speed gearbox is in full-auto, like Nissan’s 370Z, those auto throttle blips on downchanges are sensational – we used the paddle shifters to drive the Lexus hard.
The result was sensational, probably the best high performance mid-size sedan we have tested. Lexus went with a Brembo brake package that includes massive 360mm and 345mm ventilated discs with six-piston and two-piston calipers – the stopping power is incredible.
Ride is very firm, turn-in pin-sharp, mid-corner balance is superb and acceleration (accompanied by the glorious sound of the hard-revving V8) is lightning-fast.
Back in the city, that ride is probably too firm for those who require a luxurious feel. In fact just getting into our driveway was hard going – but that’s the same with comparable cars like the BMW M5. We’re talking the ultimate high performance sedans.
Lexus even makes no excuses; the IS F’s double wishbone front/independent rear suspension was developed for high speed driving and even track days.
Naturally there is just about every driver aid (traction control, stability control, active cruise control, swerve control, eight SRS airbags etc).
Challenges
Two minor demerit points for the IS F – electrochromatic mirrors do a great job reducing glare from following cars, but they make it difficult to judge the distance of the traffic behind and we wish Lexus (and Toyota) would ditch their cruise control stalks and place button controls on the steering wheel.
Verdict
We’ve yet to drive a better mid-size high performance sedan. With the IS F, Lexus has successfully combined superb styling inside and out, tossed in a breathtaking array of techno goodies, powered the thing with a scintillating V8 and delivered one of the world’s great cars.
The Competition
BMW’s M5 is similarly stunning, but V10-powered exhilaration comes with a hefty price tag. For Mercedes-Benz, you’ll need to look at AMG and again the price tag of a V8-powered E-Class comfortably eclipses the IS F.
Likes:
There is no better high performance mid-size sedan on the planet at this price
Dislikes:
We had to return our test car to Lexus after one week.
