IS/RC Official Lexus IS-F Thread (Pics & Info)

cawimmer430 · Oct 4, 2007

Luwalira said:
BTW shame on Lexus for presenting the power in ps trying to confuse consumers that it's more powerful than the M3 and RS4.

It's called "Marketing" and Lexus is damn good at it.

Bruce · Oct 4, 2007

Luwalira said:
Power isn't everything. There are countless of american cars with similar power but which fail to deliver the sensation offered by the RS4 and M3. I hope that Lexus has done a good job improving the steering.

You make a number of good points Luw. "Power is nothing without control", isn't that what they say?

Of course, that can be interpreted many different ways, but I think the general premise properly applies to the IS-F.

There's no doubt that in the following months the IS-F is going to get hammered with constant pressure; specifically those which pertain to driver dynamics. The question all will want to know is whether this vehicle can deliver both the driving excitement and road-handling which the M3 has offered for some two decades. Whether the IS-F feels as good as the M3 and/or RS4 has yet to be seen, but my honest opinion is that it won't. Yeah, that's right - you read it here.

It's not that I think they can't, no, I know Toyota has the ability to do it (my experience in various Toyota automobiles helps attest to that), but I don't Lexus' aim with the IS-F will be to out right match any competition. No doubt, Lexus created this car to purposely compete against such high performance vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW, but you can be sure they won't alienate their already existing virtues. And having said that, I do think the IS-F will focus more on comfort than its rivals. That's not to say I don't think it'll be a hoot to drive though, nor that it'll be a bad handling vehicle.

Having firmly looked over the press release, I am glad to see Lexus has more or less matched the M3 in terms of horsepower, but surpassed the M3 by some 70 lb-ft of torque. Though, the C63 AMG has yet 71 lb-ft of torque advantage over that... Power wars, don't you just hate them?

I do have two concerns at the moment though; the first being the price tag which is said to be $67,000 in the United States (which is more expensive than the M3, is it not?) and secondly, the kerbweight of this car. The 8-Speed transmission and the V8 are likely to bring a hefty weight addition...

Anyone else notice how Lexus left out the kerbweight in the press release? That's typical Toyota - they've been pulling shit like that for 3+ decades.

Centurion · Oct 4, 2007

^^
Yeah manufacturers tend to leave out figures they are imbarassed about

Yeah the weight might be an issue. Since Lexus got it going on with their super car the LF-A I hope that they engineers have devoted just as much time on the IS-F.

$67 000 you say? I hope that's not true because if it is, the car better be equipped with a jet pack catapult or something. At least the engine power is good. With the massive kit, huge fog lights and attention whore-ish exhaust I will be disappointed if it turns out to be more comfort orientated than the C63.

Zafiro · Oct 5, 2007

Lexus IS F confirmed with 417hp under the bonnet

Lexus IS F confirmed with 423hp under the bonnet

Despite Lexus showing off its new sports sedan back in January at the Detroit Auto Show the company has been surprisingly tight-lipped about the number of horses kicking under the hood. However, today’s Japanese launch of the IS F allowed to officially state the figures as well as other details it hasn’t revealed before. The 5.0L V8 will develop 423hp (311kW) at 5,500rpm and 504Nm (372lb-ft) of torque, putting the IS F squarely in the same region as the BMW M3 and Audi RS4, its main competitors.

The engine will be mated to an 8-speed paddle-shift gearbox based on the one found in the LS460. Lexus has modified the transmission to offer a “M” mode for fast acceleration in first gear, while potentially limiting any damage caused by careless driving. The gearbox will also blip the throttle during downshifts to avoid jolts. The IS F has also had numerous suspension modifications, including new springs, shock absorbers, stabilizers tuned for the performance car. Sitting on 19in tires, the IS F uses large-diameter, wide 225/40R19 tires at the front and 255/35R19 tires at the rear for gripping the road and also gets a performance brake package.

Top speed is estimated by Lexus to be over 185mph, though the IS F will be limited to just 180km/h in its home market. Tellingly, the company forecasts just 500 sales a year in Japan but expects to sell over 5,000 in the U.S.

Bruce · Oct 5, 2007

PanterroR · Oct 5, 2007

Crappy car - crappy chick!

j/k...

LaArtist · Oct 5, 2007

black one looks cool though

PanterroR · Oct 9, 2007

Sales start 25 December

In order to drive the new IS F by New Years Eve in the States you will have to buy your car through Neiman Marcus, but in Japan you can just stroll down to a Lexus dealership to pick up your 423 hp sports car. The new Lexus IS-F will go on sale 25 December with a starting price of yen 7,660,000 (EURO 46,286 or USD 65,268).
Lexus is aiming to inject 'the joy of driving' into the premium sports car, something which many enthusiasts claim the Japanese manufacturers lack (and even Toyota themselves seems to think so). The IS F is based on the IS series and comes with a new engine and transmission, an exclusive suspension and special aluminium wheels. The F refers to the Fuji Speedway on which Lexus has been extensively testing the car. The transmission is an 8-Speed Sport Direct Shift transmission which can be operated either as an automatic or clutchless manual, a world first for an 8-speed transmission.
The 5,0 liter V8 (model 2UR-GSE) engine (a D-4S direct injection four-stroke gasoline engine, superior version, that combines both port and direct fuel injection) produces 311 kW / 423 hp at 6,600 rpm with 505 Nm of torque at 5,200 rpm. Lexus is looking to sell 40 units per month in Japan.

Press Release

Lexus Launches 'IS F' in Japan

Lexus announced today that it will begin sales in Japan, starting on December 25, of the "IS F"*. The IS F is a Lexus "F" premium sports car based on the concept of proposing a new level of performance for Lexus through a refinement of basic performance with the addition of new cruising technology. The vehicle was developed to pursue, to the fullest extent possible, the "joy of driving" — which is one of the fundamental appeals of the automobile — by responding reliably and performing as intended.
Based on the IS series, the IS F boasts a completely new engine and transmission, an exclusive suspension and specially selected aluminum wheels and tires. The vehicle was tested extensively on race circuits in Japan and overseas, including Fuji Speedway, in order to demonstrate its full potential. Detailed attention to the responsiveness of the acceleration, gear shifting, steering and brakes, as well as to the actual experience of quality (such as engine sound and the sensation of acceleration), has created a new type of driving pleasure — not just for the driver but for passengers as well — thus expressing the emotional appeal of the Lexus brand.

Engine Specifications

Model 2UR-GSE Type V8 DOHC Displacement [cc] 4,968 Bore x stroke [mm] 94.0 x 89.5 Fuel supply system D-4S (direct fuel injection + port fuel injection) Fuel type Premium unleaded gasoline Compression ratio 11.8:1 Maximum output [kW (PS) / rpm] 311 (423) / 6,600 Maximum torque [N-m (kg-m) / rpm] 505 (51.5) / 5,200 Exhaust emissions levels compared to the Japanese 2005 standards*1 75% lower Fuel efficiency in the 10-15 Japanese test cycle*2 [km/l] 8.2 *1. Specified under the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's (MLIT) Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles
*2. Outlined by MLIT
Monthly Sales Target: 40 units
Assembly Plant : Tahara Plant, Toyota Motor Corporation

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (Prices in Hokkaido differ; unit: yen)

Model Engine Powertrain Transmission Price (including consumption tax)

# IS F 2UR-GSE
5.0-liter V8 Front-engine,
rear-wheel drive 8-Speed
Sport Direct Shift 7,660,000 * Based on the idea of creating a vehicle that can run on various types of roads, the vehicle was extensively tested on race circuits, including Higashifuji Technical Center and Fuji Speedway. The "F" in the IS F name comes from the "F" in "Fuji Speedway".
# Excluding recycling fees

Source: Lexus IS F: Details (JA)

:t-cheers:

LaArtist · Oct 9, 2007

^no shit but that pic is really hot..and so is the price..
one has to admit

Zafiro · Oct 9, 2007

I think the car will be sold for 600.000 swedish kronor.

Centurion · Oct 9, 2007

65,268 seem to be the price for north america and europe. Very similar to the germans.

bmer · Oct 9, 2007

Luwalira said:
65,268 seem to be the price for north america and europe. Very similar to the germans.

Isn't that just the price for Japan in USD? I don't think they've said anything about NA and Europe pricing. :t-hands:

LaArtist · Oct 9, 2007

oops then its not that cheap

i was looking at this

The new Lexus IS-F will go on sale 25 December with a starting price of yen 7,660,000 (EURO 46,286 or USD 65,268).

Centurion · Oct 9, 2007

bmer said:
Isn't that just the price for Japan in USD?

That's true. The US and Euro prices will be announced soon but close to 65k will probably be it since that's more or less what the M3 and C63 cost. It could be a bit lower though, but let's wait and see.

Osnabrueck · Oct 9, 2007

Expect it to be a tick lower than the M3. It's almost useless to compare one market's price to another nowadays, especially with the disparity between the Euro and the Dollar.

My educated guess is that the US sticker will be a more in the high 50s low 60s.