Mpunk
10-26-2007, 05:01 AM
Ever since its debut in the United States some 18 years ago, Lexus has been synomous with quality, a posh, cushy ride, and near-dead silence and soulless of a driving experience. Beginning with the LS400 and pratically every car since then - with the one notable exception being the IS350 - Lexus has been the kind of car that car enthusiasts wished they could buy for their grandparents.
So imagine the car world's surprise when the IS-F made its debut more than a year ago at the NAIAS. "F: It's Everything You Thought We Weren't."
Apparently. And a lot more.
I think that most of Lexus's lineup is despicably boring but I wouldn't really call myself a Lexus-hater. They do make really nice cars - if you're being chauffered around in one. But with the IS-F, I'm really not sure if I want to laugh or cry.
With the Japan model already on sale and with Neiman Marcus offering one in its Christmas catalog, we pretty much know what the U.S.-bound specs and pricing are.
No one is questioning its power (sure, it's no C63 match), electronanny tendencies begone (VDM can be completely turned off), or its "real-manual-like-shifting," direct-shift 8-speed tranny (hey, we'd never think Lexus would ever offer a real manual in a high-powered V6 or V8 engine, but then again neither does Mercedes). But the body kit and styling? Seriously, I thought Lexus was going to tone it down from its 2006 NAIAS debut, but apparently very little visual changes have been made from the original concept model.
Here's the lowdown - you can read the full article on the link. But does the IS-F present itself as a real contender against the M3 sedan and RS4?
Pricing: Est. $59K - $63K: That's clearly M3 and C63 territory. With the original 1990 LS400, Lexus priced a worthy E-class contender for about a C-class price. Now, there seems to be no value discrepancy between Lexus and its peers, with its lineup pretty much matching or even exceeding its competition (think the $120K LS600hL vs. the ~$110K 760iL).
Is it worth spending that kind of money on an emulator when you can get the real thing for about the same price?
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=123125#2
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.act.f34.1.500.jpg
Yes, stability and traction control are fully defeatable. Note the IS-F-exclusive larger upper/lower grilles and gaping brake-cooling ducts adjacent to the standard foglamps.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.act.r34.1.500.jpg
While our Obsidian paint job did its best to subdue the droopy jowl on each front fender, the element is said to relieve under-hood pressure.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.int.500.jpg
Don't get me wrong - the IS has a pretty nice interior for its class with even the base IS250 coming with huge, nicely appointed throne-like seats. Problem is, except for a few aluminized trim accents, the interior is basically been ripped from the $32K IS250. Cheap touches include the faux-metallic plastic panel piece surrounding the navigation interface. The seats, while different, are borderline tacky as the "F" logo is put pretty much everywhere, as if to constantly remind occupants that this is a $63K IS-F, as opposed to a $32K IS250.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.ip.500.jpg
The IS-F's instrument cluster is highly contrasted and easy to consult in a hurry.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.det.4.500.jpg
The tachometer may look unassuming, but 6,600 rpm unleashes 416 really loud horses who are in a damned big hurry to bang off the 6,800-rpm limiter.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.det.3.500.jpg
Just like those found on the IS 350, the shift paddles allow manual shifting of the automatic transmission. Unlike those in the IS 350, these will temporarily allow manual shifting even while in Drive. And, yeah, unlike the IS350, this car won't shift automatically after a few seconds when you're out of gear. It will also rev-match downshifts.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.act.f34.2.500.jpg
We had hoped the showcar's lowered suspension was just for show, but discovered the short-travel suspension was production correct.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.f34.1.500.jpg
The IS-F's track-bred suspension provides an amazingly crisp turn-in and near-zero yaw delay with almost no body roll.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.det.5.500.jpg
Sport mode affects steering weight, throttle characteristics, transmission shift points and the level of stability control permissiveness.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.det.1.500.jpg
Lexus calls this trim aluminized composite. It's a nice break from the overused faux carbon fiber we see so often.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.det.2.500.jpg
The F badge: If you're up for an Easter egg hunt, you'll find plenty of these scattered throughout the car. Lexus says its design was inspired by Turn One at Fuji Speedway.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.det.7.500.jpg
Imagine our surprise when we discovered the exhaust tips were part of the fascia and not the muffler! Hey, that'd be a good place to warm up four McMuffins.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.eng.500.jpg
Trust us, the engine looks better with the composite cover, as beneath it lurks what looks like a den of baby black adders.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.f34.2.500.jpg
Our $59,990 base-price estimate is based on the $68,000 Neiman Marcus Edition that also includes air travel and deluxe accommodation for a Skip Barber driving course at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.r34.500.jpg
We also discovered a Japanese Web site with the IS-F's home-market price listed at 7.66 million yen, which converts to $65,000 and change.
http://lexus.jp
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.whl.500.jpg
Lexus claims the forged-aluminum 19-inch wheels are about 10 pounds lighter (and 3.5 times more expensive) per corner than comparable cast aluminum wheels of the same dimension.
So imagine the car world's surprise when the IS-F made its debut more than a year ago at the NAIAS. "F: It's Everything You Thought We Weren't."
Apparently. And a lot more.
I think that most of Lexus's lineup is despicably boring but I wouldn't really call myself a Lexus-hater. They do make really nice cars - if you're being chauffered around in one. But with the IS-F, I'm really not sure if I want to laugh or cry.
With the Japan model already on sale and with Neiman Marcus offering one in its Christmas catalog, we pretty much know what the U.S.-bound specs and pricing are.
No one is questioning its power (sure, it's no C63 match), electronanny tendencies begone (VDM can be completely turned off), or its "real-manual-like-shifting," direct-shift 8-speed tranny (hey, we'd never think Lexus would ever offer a real manual in a high-powered V6 or V8 engine, but then again neither does Mercedes). But the body kit and styling? Seriously, I thought Lexus was going to tone it down from its 2006 NAIAS debut, but apparently very little visual changes have been made from the original concept model.
Here's the lowdown - you can read the full article on the link. But does the IS-F present itself as a real contender against the M3 sedan and RS4?
Pricing: Est. $59K - $63K: That's clearly M3 and C63 territory. With the original 1990 LS400, Lexus priced a worthy E-class contender for about a C-class price. Now, there seems to be no value discrepancy between Lexus and its peers, with its lineup pretty much matching or even exceeding its competition (think the $120K LS600hL vs. the ~$110K 760iL).
Is it worth spending that kind of money on an emulator when you can get the real thing for about the same price?
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=123125#2
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.act.f34.1.500.jpg
Yes, stability and traction control are fully defeatable. Note the IS-F-exclusive larger upper/lower grilles and gaping brake-cooling ducts adjacent to the standard foglamps.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.act.r34.1.500.jpg
While our Obsidian paint job did its best to subdue the droopy jowl on each front fender, the element is said to relieve under-hood pressure.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.int.500.jpg
Don't get me wrong - the IS has a pretty nice interior for its class with even the base IS250 coming with huge, nicely appointed throne-like seats. Problem is, except for a few aluminized trim accents, the interior is basically been ripped from the $32K IS250. Cheap touches include the faux-metallic plastic panel piece surrounding the navigation interface. The seats, while different, are borderline tacky as the "F" logo is put pretty much everywhere, as if to constantly remind occupants that this is a $63K IS-F, as opposed to a $32K IS250.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.ip.500.jpg
The IS-F's instrument cluster is highly contrasted and easy to consult in a hurry.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.det.4.500.jpg
The tachometer may look unassuming, but 6,600 rpm unleashes 416 really loud horses who are in a damned big hurry to bang off the 6,800-rpm limiter.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.det.3.500.jpg
Just like those found on the IS 350, the shift paddles allow manual shifting of the automatic transmission. Unlike those in the IS 350, these will temporarily allow manual shifting even while in Drive. And, yeah, unlike the IS350, this car won't shift automatically after a few seconds when you're out of gear. It will also rev-match downshifts.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.act.f34.2.500.jpg
We had hoped the showcar's lowered suspension was just for show, but discovered the short-travel suspension was production correct.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.f34.1.500.jpg
The IS-F's track-bred suspension provides an amazingly crisp turn-in and near-zero yaw delay with almost no body roll.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.det.5.500.jpg
Sport mode affects steering weight, throttle characteristics, transmission shift points and the level of stability control permissiveness.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.det.1.500.jpg
Lexus calls this trim aluminized composite. It's a nice break from the overused faux carbon fiber we see so often.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.det.2.500.jpg
The F badge: If you're up for an Easter egg hunt, you'll find plenty of these scattered throughout the car. Lexus says its design was inspired by Turn One at Fuji Speedway.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.det.7.500.jpg
Imagine our surprise when we discovered the exhaust tips were part of the fascia and not the muffler! Hey, that'd be a good place to warm up four McMuffins.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.eng.500.jpg
Trust us, the engine looks better with the composite cover, as beneath it lurks what looks like a den of baby black adders.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.f34.2.500.jpg
Our $59,990 base-price estimate is based on the $68,000 Neiman Marcus Edition that also includes air travel and deluxe accommodation for a Skip Barber driving course at Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca.
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.r34.500.jpg
We also discovered a Japanese Web site with the IS-F's home-market price listed at 7.66 million yen, which converts to $65,000 and change.
http://lexus.jp
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/roadtest/08.lexus.is.f/08.lexus.is.f.whl.500.jpg
Lexus claims the forged-aluminum 19-inch wheels are about 10 pounds lighter (and 3.5 times more expensive) per corner than comparable cast aluminum wheels of the same dimension.