Lexus IS-F: 400 BHP, 8-Speed Auto, 0-60 in 4.9 sec

[Keef]

Wow, now that's a.....eh....Lexus. Four-hundred plus horsepower sounds a little weak, as does the 8 speed automatic. The back half of teh car looks pretty good. I love the exhausts, mainly because they're different, but I know that the tip isn't actually connected to the unfinished tailpipe lurking right beneath it.

I also know that thre front of the car is stupendously ugly. The gaping hole behind the front wheels and the massive shelf it creates along the side skirt. The hood that's worse than a Gasser Camaro and the Mazdaspeed 3 put together. Just look at the profile; from the firewall forward the thing looks fatter than my uncle.

The wheels are sweet, however.

 

[boombexus]

I like the looks of this car a lot. But I will concede that it did take me quite a while to warm up to the looks of the IS350. I really hated it at first, but it's the kind of car with looks that grow on you. It sure did for me.

I'm willing to even go out on a limb here and say that I'm starting to warm up to the new looks of the BMW's. I still have problems with the front end and the headlights though.

But all in all, I really like the way the new IS-F looks. And as far as the power is concerned, it is plenty for me and I really don't care how it will stack up against its competitors. That's never really been an point of interest for me.
I am interested in the new 8 speed transmission though and how it will really perform in the real world. I can't wait to read some reviews on it. I will say that it sounds good on paper and I'm really in favor of it. Glad that it's an auto though. I'm sure that I'd get plenty tired of rowing through 8 gears and having a massive right arm and left leg.

 

[Sage]

Ewww! I love the new IS – I think it’s just gorgeous. But this is all bubbly and gross.

 

[Azuremen]

I like this alot, and I really like those wheels. The 8-speed auto makes more sense to me than a 6 speed clutch manual. My only beef really is less than 100 Hp per liter, but I can live. 400 plus is more than enough I think. Smaller issue is the twin exhaust things... just awkward.

Otherwise, I want one, and I want it now damnit!

 

[harrytuttle]

<lots of attached photos>

I keep thinking Lexus has been smoking waaaay too much wacky tabbacky at SEMA.

 

[YSSMAN]

Who wants video?



Wow! Lexus may have turned the traction control off!

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

^ Just saw that video earlier, it was a treat. 👍

-> Although the IS-F is phoenominal as it is, its still not enough to sway me from my beloved RS4 (especially the Avant), or better yet, the GT-R.

 

[Philly]

That looks pretty cool. I'm glad Lexus had the balls to somehow convince themselves to not let the car be driven totally by computers, with the TC off. Looks pretty fun too. But I think I'll take a C63, M3 or RS4 over this.

 

[YSSMAN]

I'm still picking the C63 or the CTS-V in this round, but thats mostly due to the way I like my cars...

 

[V1P3R]

^CTS-V don't have a chance.

I'm liking it!

 

[YSSMAN]

^CTS-V don't have a chance.

I think 550+ BHP, a six-speed manual transmission, and proven performance on the track begs to differ... Particularly when the FE3 DIG model handles quite well to begin with...

 

[Speedster502]

I'd still have a RS4......

 

[Tornado]

^CTS-V don't have a chance.

Undefeatable and highly sensitive stability control (VDIM).


Oh, and 150 less BHP and a slushbox.



And if it can't beat the Caddy, theres no way it will beat the leader of the segment, the C63AMG.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

Sure, while it's not exactly the class-leader, it's still miles ahead of every other Lexus. For people who love Lexus, but want the performance of the Germans (or at least close to), this is perfect...

Any of the German trio would sooner grace my garage, though.

 

[Azuremen]

Undefeatable and highly sensitive stability control (VDIM).

Oh, and 150 less BHP and a slushbox.

And if it can't beat the Caddy, theres no way it will beat the leader of the segment, the C63AMG.

That slush boxes torque converter transfer power like a manual beyond first gear. And the extra gears means staying exactly in the power band at all times. And it shifts fast too...

To keep the driver in synch with so much power, the IS F comes equipped with the world’s first eight-speed direct sport-shift transmission with paddle shifters that snaps quickly and crisply between gears, upshifting within a tenth of a second. In addition, a new torque converter lockup control allows the engine’s power to be directly relayed to the transmission in second through eighth gears, accelerating with the responsiveness of a manual transmission.

And from the looks of it, the TCS and ASM system can be disabled. But if they can't with just a button, there is another way to defeat it with out modifying the control computer.

 

[Jim Prower]

At least it shows Toyota's still willing to go to Yamaha for their heads.

(silently praises the return of the -GE. in all too expensive a car, but, what the hell, for what Supras are going for...)

 

[YSSMAN]

That slush boxes torque converter transfer power like a manual beyond first gear. And the extra gears means staying exactly in the power band at all times. And it shifts fast too...

...I think Jaguar's tuned 6-speed ZF box is quicker...

And from the looks of it, the TCS and ASM system can be disabled. But if they can't with just a button, there is another way to defeat it with out modifying the control computer.

You mean the idiotic pedal/handbrake dance? Yes, I want to do that every time I get in my "sport" sedan instead of doing it the right way... One button, on or off, like BMW and Cadillac.

 

[Aquendwato]

Sometimes I wonder if people here read the article or just blindly hate Toyota

The IS-F features an all-new three-mode version of Lexus' Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. In addition to the Normal mode, the new VDIM features a Sport mode that allows the driver to push the car even further before its braking-, throttle- and steering-control systems kick in. The third VDIM system mode is Off, which allows the driver to push the IS-F to its ultimate level of handling performance.

 

[YSSMAN]

The question is, without bias... Is it "off" in the old Mercedes-Benz sense, that when it thinks you're getting "too happy" it shuts everything down (ie, very high threshold, very quick to cut the fun), or is it off in the BMW/Cadillac sense where its you and your right foot?

 

[Tornado]

That slush boxes torque converter transfer power like a manual beyond first gear.

Ah, heel to toe like? Cool. I let Mercedes get away with it because the C63 does everything else right. I don't think Lexus will be at the same level.

And the extra gears means staying exactly in the power band at all times.

Or, they could just very well be for fuel economy like they are on the BMW M5.

Sometimes I wonder if people here read the article or just blindly hate Toyota

Actually, I was just joking for an excuse to quote myself again.

 

[Azuremen]

Ah, heel to toe like? Cool. I let Mercedes get away with it because the C63 does everything else right. I don't think Lexus will be at the same level.

No, I mean the power is taken more directly to the axles, at the converter looks or such. I need to read more up on it before I can really say too much more though, as I am not 100% certain on it all.

Or, they could just very well be for fuel economy like they are on the BMW M5.

Well... yeah Not gonna lie about that being the case.

 

[Keef]

Okay, okay. You got me. That's pretty badass. The engine sounds fantastic, with a nice raspy, racey sound that's not all burbly like a boat. The auto holds onto gears too, which is sweet. Hopefully it'll be more like an SMG than an automatic.

 

[Tornado]

It apparently launched in Japan recently, and the verdict is that it is about 220 pounds too heavy to be competitive with anything in the segment, being heavier than the Mercedes but being less powerful than the BMW:

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Lexus IS F released in Japan[/FONT]

[SIZE=-1]Lexus has released the high performance IS F in Japan. Note that there is no hyphen between IS and F in its name, unlike what it was announced globally in this year's Detroit motor show. The IS F's 5.0-liter V8 engine is derived from Lexus LS600h, with displacement 4968 cc, 11.8:1 compression, dual mode injection (port injection or direct injection depending on load) and dual VVT-i (intake side is electric actuated). In Japanese form it produces 423 ps at 6600 rpm and 372 lb-ft of torque at 5200 rpm. The 8-speed automatic transmission also comes from LS, but programmed to shift quicker (taking as little as 100ms) and provides paddle shift.

[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]
The chassis is 85 mm longer and 20 mm wider than the regular IS. It rides on 19-inch forged alloy wheels shod with 225/40ZR and 255/35ZR tires front and rear. The front brakes employ 6-piston calipers and 360 mm ventilated discs, while the rear employ 2-pot caliper and 345mm discs. VDIM stabilty control provides a "Sport" mode beside normal mode.[/SIZE]

Linky.


I do think it looks better than the Caddy and BMW, though. At least there is that, I guess. The apparent name change is interesting too.

 

[YSSMAN]

I need performance figures!

Until then, I'm still really not ready to compare it to the M3, CTS-V, C63, or RS4...

 

[harrytuttle]

I need performance figures!

Until then, I'm still really not ready to compare it to the M3, CTS-V, C63, or RS4...

I think the fact that a mid-size sedan with 400HP can only hit 60MPH in 4.9 seconds kind of gives you a good idea of how it will compare. I thought the ridiculous 8-speed transmission was going to be a joke, and that they really weren't going to go through with it. Now here they are, 2 gears up on the "competition". Toyota does not get it. At all.

 

[///M-Spec]

I think the fact that a mid-size sedan with 400HP can only hit 60MPH in 4.9 seconds kind of gives you a good idea of how it will compare. I thought the ridiculous 8-speed transmission was going to be a joke, and that they really weren't going to go through with it. Now here they are, 2 gears up on the "competition". Toyota does not get it. At all.

To be fair to Lexus, that number could be conservative. Recent performance autos are shockingly good and the crazy number of gears in that one might make the run closer to 4.7 or 4.8. With 'only' 255s in the back, traction is probably the biggest issue.

The real test of acceleration will be 1/4 mile trap speed. I'm guessing it'll pass the lights around 108, close to what an RS4 pulls. It's not going to chase down a C63 or even an M3, but that's not exactly slow...

Competition is a good thing.


M

 

[Jim Prower]

I need performance figures!

Until then, I'm still really not ready to compare it to the M3, CTS-V, C63, or RS4...

Well, the next issue of Best Motoring should be out soon...

 

[Wolfe]

At the very least, the IS F will let you have some fun. The video YSSMAN posted on the last page proved that much.

And coming from Toyota, that's a big step in the right direction.

 

[Kent]

Watched that video on the last page (would have earned rep if I hadn't hit YSSMAN so recently). 👍
That IS-F is looking beastly.
I'm suprised to see something labeled as 8-speed auto doing burnouts like that but I'm sure it is possible (big mercs do that right?).
Glad to see this thing coming up to production. Can't wait to see one on the highway.

As for the (as harrytuttle put it) 8-speed joke of a transmission...
Not really sure what to make of it, didn't a Lexus recently get 7 or 8 gears?
By chance I just watched "5th Gear" do a comparison of the Audi TT with 6M vs Audi TT with double clutch DSG (I think that's what they called it ).
DSG won in the hotlap and not suprisingly (when you look at what is possible with something like a double clutch and pre-selector there's no doubt about performance potential).
Of course, VBH preffered the 6M.

In any case, I doubt Toyota will go with a double clutch system as Audi uses and so I can't really predict the performance.

 

[YSSMAN]

And coming from Toyota, that's a big step in the right direction.

Very true, but without a solid test, I still don't know what to think about this car. I still doubt very much that it will pose any kind of threat to the C63 and M3, but I'm sure people will like it because its "easy to drive" or something stupid like that.

I'm just not all that impressed thus far. Maybe I'm getting too eager to see the CTS-V (now officially rumored to have between 500-550 BHP with a supercharged 6.2L V8), but I still have my doubts... Aaaand, with the M3 sedan around the corner, well, my guess is that will probably put almost all of them to shame.