2008 Lexus IS F Review | Buyer Guide
Lexus Builds a Hotrod
Wow, what’s with Lexus? The premium brand of Toyota, known for its luxury vehicles, has just introduced a hotrod sport sedan. This new high-performance four-door is called the IS F. It cranks out 416 horsepower, which puts it right up there with the BMW M3 and the Audi RS4.
The IS F was the brainchild of Lexus engineer, Yukihito Yaguchi, who ran an unofficial “Skunk Works” project, with a small army of speed freaks, many of whom volunteered their time. Together, they created a sport sedan, the likes of which had not been seen before at Lexus.
Yaguchi started with the Lexus IS 350 sedan and dropped in a 5.0-liter V-8. This engine, is a stroked version of 4.6-liter V-8 used in the Lexus GS and LS. It was breathed upon by the folks at Yamaha, to generate more power. It has, not only awesome hp, but tons of torque (371 lb.-ft.) as well. A key feature is its dual air-intake system. At low engine speeds, it’s almost sedate, but when the secondary air passage kicks in at 3600 rpm, the IS F turns into a wild beast. Sixty mph will come up in just 4.6 seconds. Furthermore, this car is capable of reaching 170 mph.
Teamed with the potent V-8, is an eight-speed automatic transmission taken from the LS460. Yaguchi’s team reworked this gearbox to deliver lightning-quick shifts. Lexus claims that it up-shifts faster than a Ferrari F430. Downshifts are accompanied by throttle blips that match engine RPM to vehicle speed. Hit the “sport” mode switch on the dash, and the throttle response sharpens and steering weight increases.
In addition to reworking the power train, the Lexus team modified the suspension to give the IS F handling prowess to rival that of the BMW M3 and the Audi RS4. They lowered the body one inch on the suspension, installed stiffer springs, larger shocks and bigger roll bars. They also remapped the electric power steering to provide quicker response and more road feel. The anti-skid system can now be set for “normal” or “sport, or turned off entirely. Tuning of the IS F was conducted at major racetracks, including Germany’s Nurburgring and Leguna Seca in California.
To distinguish the IS F from its lesser brethren, and to accommodate the V-8 engine and larger 19-inch wheels, Yaguchi modified the body. Starting at the front, the grilles were enlarged, the hood raised, and the front fenders widened. Ground hugging rocker panels were added to the flanks, and air vents positioned on the front fenders for brake cooling. In the rear, the IS F sports a modest rear deck spoiler and four exhaust diffusers, two stacked on top of each other, on either side of the bumper.
On the inside, The IS F gets new leather-clad sport bucket seats, front and rear. They come in either black with blue stitching, or white with black trim. The two-tone interior is particularly striking. Keyless entry and push-button start (with the key fob on your person) is standard. Rain-sensing wipers are also part of the package.
I had an opportunity to drive the IS F at the press introduction, near Las Vegas. This car is a blast. The acceleration is super quick. The rumble from the exhaust will delight any motorhead. The steering is quick, with excellent feedback, and the Brembo brakes are strong. The car feels very stable at triple digit speeds. The paddle shifters were just where they needed to be, and the shifts are faster than what you could possibly manage, if you were using a clutch.
The Lexus sales goal for the IS F is modest—200-300 units per month. The starting price is $56,000.
Snapshot Review
Awesome Power
World-Class Handling
Slick Styling
