Lexus IS-F
Lexus unveiled the IS-F high-performance luxury sedan at the 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The 2008 production model IS-F is equipped with a 5.0 liter, 400 horsepower V8 engine. The “F” designation, according to Toyota, does not stand for the rumored “Fast,” but for Toyota’s internal project “Circle F” — for “flagship” — project that evolved into Toyota’s Lexus Division. The “F” Code has since been reserved for Lexus vehicles which go beyond their standard development processes.
Based on but going behind the Lexus IS, the IS-F was developed, to a great extent, at Japan’s Fuji Speedway and Higashi-Fuji Technical Center. Its performance-tuned 5.0-liter V8 engine, thanks to a two-stage intake system which feeds specially engineered heads, turns out over 400 horsepower and 350 ft-lbs. of torque, and is equipped with oil and transmission fluid coolers. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission designed with a torque-converter lock-up control. The result is crisp gear changes from second to eighth gears; when the IS-F is in Drive, the transmission is smooth, and the torque converter provides standing-start acceleration from 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds, in the same territory as an automatic-transmission Corvette.
The IS-F transmission also offers a manumatic mode, accessed by a pair of paddles behind the steering wheel, enabling the driver to up-shift in a fraction of a second. Precise throttle blips during downshifting match the engine’s RPM to the vehicle’s speed.
The IS-F’s acceleration capacity is tempered with Lexus-engineered heavy-duty Brembo brakes; the 14.2 inch cross-drilled front discs are gripped with six-piston aluminum calipers and the 13.6 inch rear ones with two-piston calipers; the calipers are embossed with the Lexus name. All four wheels also have high-friction brake pads. The IS-F’s standard wheels, engineered by Lexus and built by BBS, are 19-inch forged alloy, with high-performance sport tires.
The car’s suspension drops it more than half-an–inch lower than the base IS, and more than one inch than IS models with 18-inch wheels.
The IS-F introduces a three-mode version of the Lexus Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management System, with a new Sport mode which allows the driver to demand more of the car without engaging its automatic braking, throttle, and steering control systems. The third, or “Off,” mode disengages the VDIM entirely, leaving full control of the IS-F in the driver’s hands.
The IS-F is visually differentiated by a dual-exhaust system with quad-tail pipes, wider front fenders and a larger grille, and a rear spoiler, along with a larger hood and lower intake. The interior of the IS-F has aluminized composite trim and an instrument panel with both oil-temperature and shift-indicator lights; the “F” logo appears both on the steering wheel and the rear-center console. The IS-F seats are either black or white with black trim.
The IS-F will arrive at Lexus dealerships in early 2008.
Also see our IS350 test drive.
Lexus IS-F specifications (with IS350 where possible)
Brakes |
Cross-drilled discs |
 |
Front |
14.2 inches |
|
Rear |
13.6 inches |
|
Calipers (aluminum) |
|
|
Front |
Six piston |
|
Rear |
Two piston |
|
Wheels |
Forged aluminum |
|
Front |
225/40R19 (19 x8) |
|
Rear |
255/35R19 (19 x 9) |
|
Dimensions (Inches) |
|
|
Length |
183.5 |
|
Width |
71.5 |
|
Height |
55.5 |
|
Wheelbase |
107.5 |
Engine |
IS-F | IS250 | IS350 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5.0 V8 | 4GR-FSE V6 | 2GR-FSE V6 |
|
Construction |
Aluminum block and heads | ||
|
Valvetrain |
?? | Dual VVT | |
|
Displacement, bore, stroke |
5.0 / ?? | 2.5 l / 3.27 x 3.03 | 3.5 l / 3.7 x 3.27 |
|
Compression Ratio |
?? | 12.0:1 | 11.8:1 |
|
Horsepower (SAE) |
400+ | 204 @ 6,400 | 306 @ 6,400 |
|
Torque |
350+ | 185 @ 4,800 | 277 @ 4,800 |
|
Maximum Engine Speed |
n/a | 6,600 rpm | 6,600 rpm |
|
Fuel Requirement |
91 octane unleaded | ||
|
Emission Certification |
ULEV II | ||
|
Drivetrain |
IS250 AWD IS350 |
IS-F |  |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Transmission Type |
6-speed auto | 8-speed auto | |
|
Designation |
A760H(250) A760E (350) |
N/A | |
|
Gear Ratios 1st |
3.52 | ||
|
2nd |
2.04 | ||
| 3rd | 1.40 | ||
| 4th | 1.00 | ||
|
5th |
0.72 | ||
| 6th | 0.59 | ||
|
Reverse |
3.22 | ||
|
Differential Ratio |
4.10 (250) 4.08 (350) |
|
Performance |
IS-F |
IS350 |
|---|---|---|
|
0 – 60 MPH |
4.9 | 5.6 |
|
0 – 1/4 mile |
n/a | 14.2 |
|
Top Track Speed |
n/a | 142 |
|
EPA mpg – City / Highway |
n/a | 21/28 |
|
Coefficient of Drag (Cd) |
n/a | 0.28 |