Review: Lexus IS-F
By Jez Spinks | drive.com.au | 20 March
2008 Lexus IS-F
The first dedicated performance car from Lexus, the IS-F, is a car the automotive world thought would never be built. Since Toyota created the Lexus brand in 1989, it has become a synonym for refinement.
Not any more. This is the brand's fastest car, created to appeal to enthusiasts rather than executives.
Similar to BMW's 3-Series-based M3 and Mercedes-Benz's C-Class-based C63 AMG, Lexus takes its IS250 executive car and adds visual and mechanical muscle.
It's easy to distinguish the IS-F from the IS250: there's the power dome bonnet, bulging front and rear bumpers, flared wheel arches, large front air intake and cooling ducts and distinctive (although fake) quad exhaust pipes that look like two warped figure eights.
What do you get?
The IS-F does what other Lexus models have done before it: undercut its direct German rivals from BMW and Mercedes. At $129,000, it is cheaper than the M3 sedan and C63 AMG.
Also in Lexus tradition, the IS- F brims with standard features, including a rear-view camera but no parking sensors.
The only option is to delete the sunroof and save $2500.
How safe?
The IS F's donor, the IS250, gets the maximum five-star crash rating by Euro NCAP. There's a class-leading eight airbags, which comprise dual front and knee, side and full-length curtain airbags, Lexus's Pre-Crash System and radar active cruise control.
For the first time in a Lexus, stability control can be turned off completely - proof that the manufacturer understands some enthusiasts want to hit the racetrack.
What's inside?
The key differences to the IS250 are a black centre stack, chunky leather sports seats, faux-metal trim on the doors and console and the IS-F's four-seat layout.
The driving position is compromised by a seat that is too flat and doesn't go low enough.
Extra bolstering is designed to keep driver and front passenger in place during high-speed cornering, although unless you're broadly built the seats don't hug the body as closely as they could.
The chunky front seats also put more of a squeeze on a rear seat that is already cramped in the IS250. Aplastic tray section with push-open cupholders replaces the rear centre seat.
Under the bonnet
The IS-F borrows its 5.0-litre V8 and eight-speed automatic from Lexus's LS460 limo, though both have been significantly reworked for high-performance driving.
Changes that include a new dual air intake system propel the sports sedan from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.8 seconds. That's slightly slower than the rival M3 (4.7 seconds) and C63 (4.6 seconds).
On a light throttle the IS-F is very Lexus-like, with a subdued engine note and smooth gear changes.
However, plant your right foot and it reveals its inner beast. The engine snarls in the lower rev range before erupting into a deep-chested rumble from about 3800rpm.
Gear changes are sufficiently quick, although slower and not as seamless as the dual-clutch robotised manual versions that are a growing trend. The gearbox will, however, automatically - and effectively - blip the throttle while downshifting.
Thanks to a tall eighth gear, at 110km/h the IS F's V8 is spinning at just 1800rpm.
With peak torque at 5200rpm, the sheer number of gear ratios can feel over-indulgent - notably on twisty roads. With the auto set in manual mode, and with fourth gear capable of doing 200km/h, we only ever needed the first few ratios for our test route's long winding sections.
Lexus claims an official fuel figure of 11.4L/100km. We recorded 14.8L/100km after a mix of driving.
On the road
In 2005, the IS250 introduced the best steering in a Lexus yet, so it's no surprise that the IS-F's helm is equally enjoyable. It's surprisingly quick and accurate for an electric set-up and pressing a Sport button on the dash adds a welcome dose of extra firmness (as well as sharpening gear shifts and raising the stability control's threshold).
The IS-F is also a revelation in corners. It's supremely poised, showing a remarkable resistance to leaning or pushing wide through bends. Excellent Brembo-designed brakes inspire confidence with a strong and progressive bite.
The IS-F's pace, though, can be dictated by the quality of road surface. Hit rough country roads and the sports sedan starts to pogo in an unnerving manner.
While the IS F's 25-millimetre-lower suspension doesn't feel much firmer than the regular IS250's, at low speeds the ride is restless on anything but ironing-board surfaces - at best it is noisy; at its worst it's harsh over bigger bumps.
Verdict
The IS-F is a rare Lexus and not only because supply this year is limited to just 120. With a charismatic V8 it delivers driving excitement and involvement never before encountered in a Lexus.
The brand should be congratulated on its bold move to take on the might of the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63, although there are some flaws, the worst of which is the unsettled ride.
Good
- Smooth and punchy V8
- Impressive cornering ability
- Generous equipment levels
Bad
- Unsettled ride
- Only seats four people
- Rear seats cramped
- Doesn't have the same heritage as its competitors
First published by Drive.com.au on March 20 2009
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