[Askmen]
In the not-so-distant past, there was a time when the Toyota Motor Corporation’s amenity-laden American affiliate, Lexus, was heavily scrutinized -- not for the grade of the vehicles produced, as most car manufacturers are, but for the catalog itself. This barrage of criticism was spurred by the complete absence of a single performance model rolling off of Lexus assembly lines.
Enter the Lexus Intelligent Sport series -- code name: IS. Although the first two generations of 200/300 and 250/350 were well received and a formidable foray into the arena of high-output luxury sedans, rivals like Infiniti, Mercedes, Acura, and specifically BMW were beefing up their offerings to previously unheard of proportions, putting the heat on Lexus to remain competitive. And Lexus took on the challenge with gusto -- thank the vehicular lords.
If the IS 430 prototype was to serve as any indication of Lexus' performance capabilities, not even that could prepare us for the unveiling of the supremely talented IS F. With looks that could knock you to the ground and performance numbers that'll run you into it, we take an honest look at the Lexus IS F's luxury and practical ride, with a total of 100 points to be won. Has Lexus finally hit the performance/luxury mark?
The luxury ride
When your brand has been crowned the highest-selling manufacturer of luxury rides and you cars sit atop the J.D. Power and Associates scroll of the most reliable brand stateside for 13 years running, you definitely have a right to boast. Furthermore, British automotive connoisseurs Top Gear and Auto Express have pegged Lexus as the cream of the automotive crop in their satisfaction survey ratings since the marque’s inception into the luxury division in 1989. But what happens all these awards and distinctions merge into one popular description of your vehicles as being too tame? For pretty much the entire first decade of assembly, Lexus had generally been omitted as an option when seeking performance sedans, with seemingly no track-worthy platform in sight. However, just on the horizon was the IS brand. The IS launched in 1998, and it has definitely excelled as Lexus had hoped it would, extending their “passionate pursuit of perfection.” Today, with the recent release of the IS-F, we think they may have just ended their pursuit.
In order for Lexus to overcome the stigma of lackluster engine capabilities, the IS F was outfitted with a naturally aspirated DOHC, 5.0-liter, 32-solenoid-titanium valve (with electronic variable timing) V8 engine, with dry sump lubrication. The meticulously treated, 90-degree, aluminum mill and its uniquely engineered heads are fed by a two-stage intake system and score you 416 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm, and over 371 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm. The powerband is even spread and propels the Lexus IS F to a max speed somewhere in the 170-mph mark, catapulting the 3,780 pounds of ingenious engineering from 0-60 mph in a flaming 4.4 seconds (just 0.3 seconds shy of the Porsche Carrera 911 4S). And let us remind you: This is a sedan.
This RWD missile remains firmly planted on the road with a double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, and takes corners like a champ as it measures an inch lower than the standard IS models. We don’t say this very often, but we actually appreciate the slightly asymmetrical weight distribution of 54/46, as it allows the IS F to be tossed around enough without loosing rigidity. There's also a tri-mode VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) with a Sport configuration that enables the car to be driven harder before the braking, throttle and steering control systems kick in. Adding to the competition-derived feel are bold six-piston Brembo brake calipers and high-friction brake pads for optimal stopping and control. Perhaps most impressive is the Lexus IS F's racing-inspired paddle shifters that control the world’s first eight-speed, direct sport-shift transmission.
There's no question that the Lexus IS F is sexy, but is it luxurious?
And if you really need another reason to fall in love with this flashy four-door, Lexus has provided one. The brunt of the IS F's testing phase was conducted at Japan’s celebrated Fuji Speedway. If you’re going to work out the bugs anywhere, you’d want it to be here. And thanks to the extensive testing done on the speedway, Lexus has produced a sedan that truly drives unlike any other on the road today.
The IS F target consumer is aptly described as the family man who not only craves the edgiest of grocery getters, but wants to make the most of a $60,000 budget. Yes, you can get all of this for under $100,000.
Lexus recognizes that the driver truly is the most important passenger in any vehicle, and equipped its cockpit with cowhide bucket seats, available in both black or high-contrast black and white trim. The luxury continues throughout with full lumbar supports in the seats and aluminum, carbon-fiber and special-treatment accents. The advanced and asymmetrical instrument panel includes an oil temperature gauge and shift indicator on an easy-to-read LED screen, as well as proudly brandishing the speeding "F" that makes this car something extraordinary.
Lexus’ design team paid attention to detail while blueprinting the styling cues on the IS F, implementing just enough changes to the existing design without going overboard. With an inch of height scrapped off the standard IS model and standard custom-made (for Lexus) BBS rims resting on 19-inch, forged alloy wheels, the Lexus IS F is truly an automobile to behold. Look at the IS F from the side and the first thing your greedy little eyes take in is the puffed-up front nose and muscular side fenders. If you can draw your attention away from the bi-convexed hood that houses the beefy V8, you'll notice flared sides adjacent to the front wheels for optimal air flow for the hot-headed engine. The sleek, sophisticated and uber-sexy lines continue along the length of the vehicle and culminate in a rear-end that we openly admit makes us drool more than Kate Beckinsale in her leather suit ever has. The dual-stacked quad tailpipes alone have us reaching for the Kleenexes.
If looks aren't enough for you, some impressive media has been made possible through Lexus’ collaboration with the incomparable Mark Levinson. The two pulled together to provide a brilliant DVD video/audio unit with MP3 capability and 300-watts pumped through 14 speakers, spread over 10 channels. The Lexus IS F truly is an all-encompassing experience. From the drive to the oral sensations, perfection has been found, and you're sure to be passionate about the results.
The verdict
Although the Lexus IS F is not considered a supercar by technical standards, in the world of performance sedans it might as well be. From street savvy to comfort levels, the IS F has it all right. BMW, Merc and (dare we say) Porsche need to watch out.
Luxury score: 49/50
The IS F looks and drives great, but could it be your daily driver?
The practical ride
The IS F was conceived to compete with the BMW M3, but you might be surprised to discover that, based on a toll of pre-ordered units moved, it bests all other performance luxury sedans as well. Starting at $56,000, the base MSRP isn’t too far past the median sticker for Lexus' L badge, with so much more appeal. Another aspect to review is the IS F's statistics on the tarmac, with performance numbers that don't lag too far behind the likes of Porsche. As a base model it encompasses most amenities, while ushering in advanced technology with a brand new transmission. The price tag may seem high to some, but when you think of what you're getting for your dollars -- not only a high-performing street car, but a luxurious interior with ample passenger and cargo room -- the Lexus IS F makes perfect sense.
With a V8 kicking around under the Lexus IS F's pumped up hood, you wouldn't expect the fuel consumption numbers to be that great. And you’d be right. But don't throw up your hands in an "I knew there had to be something wrong with this vehicle" way just yet. While the engine does sip fuel in a typical 8-cylinder fashion (16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway), maintenance costs are kept to a minimum as the IS F is equipped with tandem-operating engine oil and transmission cooler, which will surely save you money in the long run. The ride is also aided by an electronic stability control, which makes it versatile enough for both pavement and slightly higher elevations. Other bonuses include driver seat memory, 13.3 cu-ft of cargo space, a back-up camera with Intuitive Park Assist, and an extensive navigation layout.
So here's a car that's not only fun to drive but is damn practical as well. We tried our best to find a fault, a flaw, a black mark on the Lexus' golden boy. But we couldn't. Besides a lower-than-average fuel consumption rate (for a sedan), there really is nothing to complain about. And really, once you've felt the brute strength of the V8 beast, will you really be complaining about fuel consumption? We highly doubt it.
The verdict
It's hard to place a luxury sedan higher than the IS F right now. Even the BMW M3 will have a hard time impressing us like the IS F has. Perhaps it's the fact that Lexus has finally emerged with a vehicle that drivers can get excited about, or maybe it's just that BMW and Mercs are getting too predictable; either way, we're glad that Lexus had the balls to release the IS F when it did.
Practicality score: 47/50
and the total is…The Lexus IS F, through superior engineering, consumer reliability and flat-out forward thinking has improved on all the elements that once qualified the brand as “tame.” According to Lexus their goal was "to create a true performance sedan in a uniquely Lexus way -- one that [was] totally authentic.” Honestly, we don't think Lexus could have been any more authentic or unique. What a refreshing take on a luxury sedan! And we say to Lexus: Continue your passionate pursuit, because we’re dying to see where you're headed next.
