Vehicle Overview
It took a long time, but in 2008 Lexus finally threw its noodle into the alphabet soup of automotive performance variants. The rear-drive IS-F is a performance variant of the IS 250 and IS 350, which are covered separately in the Cars.com Research section. The IS-F comes only as a sedan with a 416-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8. The other IS models come as a sedan and convertible with V-6 engines and an all-wheel-drive option for the sedans. Lexus claims the IS-F sprints from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. It competes with the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.
New for 2012
For 2012, the IS-F has wider 19-inch forged wheels in a new design. The rear tires are slightly wider, too. Inside, red monotone seats replace the orange and black color scheme.
Exterior
Cosmetic exterior and interior changes are always part of the high-performance package. Exterior changes compared with the IS 250/IS 350 include:
- Wider fenders
- Flared bumper with a larger mouth
- Vents behind the front wheels
- High-domed hood
- Quad tailpipes
- Small trunk lid spoiler
- 19-inch alloy wheels with performance tires
Interior
A USB/iPod connector is standard, and the IS-F comes with the Lexus Safety Connect telematics system, which is similar to GM’s OnStar service. It comes with a year’s worth of service free; after that you’ll have to pay a subscription fee. IS-F interior changes compared with the IS 250/IS 350 include:
- Body-hugging sport seats
- F logos all around
- Carbon fiber trim
- Chrome shift paddles
Under the Hood
The 416-hp V-8 cranks out 371 pounds-feet of torque; the redline is 7,000 rpm. The IS-F has one transmission — with enough gears for two. The eight-speed automatic has a manual mode and steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. There is no true manual available. Lexus says the transmission, which it calls Sport Direct Shift, changes gears within one-tenth of a second and executes rev matching for smoother downshifts and decreased wear. Not to be confused with some automated-manual transmissions, this one uses a fluidic torque converter. Mechanical features include:
- Upgraded brakes with larger, cross-drilled discs and six- and two-piston calipers in the front and rear, respectively
- Brembo-brand calipers are gloss black and bear the Lexus logo
- Upgraded springs, shocks, stabilizer bars, bushings and steering tuning are all optimized for performance driving
- Car sits 1 inch lower than the IS 250/IS 350
- Stability system’s Sport mode allows more wheelspin and sliding before interrupting and keeping you on track
Safety
Standard safety features include:
- Front knee airbags
- Side-impact torso-protection airbags for the front seats
- Side curtain airbags in both rows
- Seat belt pretensioners for front seats and outboard rear seats
- All-disc antilock brakes
- Electronic stability system
- Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, which Lexus says is meant to integrate all systems to anticipate skids and react faster than an electronic stability system alone
