2008 Lexus IS F Preview

Introduction

Lexus has become well known as Toyota's luxury vehicle division. But before it was publicly unveiled, the development of the new division was a closely guarded secret. Even within Toyota, the working group was known simply as "Circle-F," the F representing flagship.

Fast forward nearly two decades and the F designation continues, though now it signifies Lexus special vehicle programs that fall outside the usual engineering and development production process. Think "hot rod": BMW's M cars or Mercedes-Benz' AMG. Think about development driving done at Fuji Speedway as well as on the usual Toyota test tracks.

Lexus moves into the serious, and seriously stimulating, world of high-performance vehicles with the launch of the 2008 Lexus IS F, a compact and entry-luxury category sedan that draws its power from a 5.0-liter V-8 engine that pumps out 416 hp and 371 lb.-ft. of torque. The IS F also benefits from an 8-speed transmission controlled by racing-style paddle shifters and stops with the power of Brembo-brand brakes.

Lexus also is getting ready to unleash the LF-A, an ultra-high-performance, Italian-designed exotic sports car powered by a Formula One grand prix-style V-10 powerplant.

Model lineup

Lexus expanded its lineup into the entry level of the luxury category in 2000 with the introduction of the IS 300, a compact and sporty sedan powered by a 3.0-liter V-6 engine. A few months later, it added a wagon-like SportCross version.

For 2006, the IS entered its second generation with the IS250 and IS350, a pair of sedans, both inspired by the athletic Lexus GS sports sedan, both powered by V-6 engines: a 2.5-liter offering 204 hp and a 3.5-liter with 306 hp, more than the V-8-powered Ford Mustang GT.

Now, with the IS F, the entry-level Lexus gets serious horsepower. The car could have been labeled IS 500, but Lexus decided that the car had been so extensively reworked that it was a fitting vehicle to launch the new F performance group.

Design

Visually, the IS F features dual exhaust that flows through four tailpipes, widened front fenders, a larger grille, and a rear spoiler. The IS F gets a larger hood to accommodate the larger engine and a larger front air intake to help keep that engine cooler. The IS F is the first model with "Lexus" proclaimed on its brake calipers. The IS F is available in six colors, including Ultrasonic Blue Mica, a color exclusive to this model.

Inside, the IS F has what Lexus calls "aluminized composite" trim and "special" surface treatments. The instrument panel has blue LED illumination and includes an oil-temperature gauge and shift indicator-lights. The F logo is showcased on the steering wheel and rear-center console. Specially trimmed front seats were designed with aggressive driving in mind, and special sport seats are available in what Lexus calls "high-contrast" black and white trim.

Hardware

The 2008 IS F is based on the same rear-wheel-drive platform as the IS 350. Power comes from a new-generation and performance-tuned 5.0-liter V-8 engine with specially engineered cylinder heads fed by a two-stage intake system and with engine oil and transmission fluid coolers and a cylinder head scavenging oil pump, all designed to deal with the higher temperatures and high g forces generated by high-performance driving.

The engine is mated to Lexus' first 8-speed direct sport-shift transmission, which includes a new torque converter lock-up control designed to provide crisp gear changes, as well as standing start-to-60 mph acceleration in a mere 4.9 seconds, says Lexus, which adds that this makes the IS F the fastest Lexus, with a top speed on the racetrack of 170 mph.

Nonetheless, the engine earns ULEV-II emission ratings and the IS F is rated at 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway.

The transmission also offers a manual mode with the driver using a pair of paddles on the steering wheel to manually change gears up or down. Downshifts come with the same sort of rev-matching throttle blips achieved by racecar drivers.

Nineteen-inch wheels are standard, and again a familiar performance car brand is used, with forged-alloy BBS wheels with a custom-designed 10-spoke pattern for the IS F. The front wheels are 8 inches wide and are wrapped by 225/40-aspect high-performance tires. The rear wheels are 9 inches wide with 255/35 rubber. Even with this wider performance rubber-either Bridgestone Potenza or Michelin Pilot Sport PS2-the car has a turning circle diameter of only 33.5 feet.

Like a Ferrari or other high-end performance car, the IS F is equipped with Brembo brakes, with 14.2-inch perforated discs and 6-piston aluminum calipers on the front wheels, 13.6-inch perforated discs and 2-piston calipers at the rear, and high-friction brake pads at all four corners.

While the IS F shares the basic double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension geometry as the other IS models, the shocks, springs, bushings, roll bars and even steering tuning were modified to deal with the car's performance potential. The IS F sits a full inch closer to the ground than an IS 350 riding on 18-inch wheels.

Factory options for the IS F include a Mark Levinson premium surround-sound system, DVD-based navigation system, park assist, pre-collision with dynamic radar cruise control, and headlamp cleaners. Additionally, although a moonroof is included as standard equipment, the IS F can be ordered without it.

Technology

In addition to the technology contained within the 8-speed transmission, the IS F features a new, 3-mode version of the Lexus Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. In addition to the Normal mode, this new version offers a Sport mode that allows the driver more freedom before the computer-controlled braking, throttle and steering assists kick in. The third VDIM system mode is "Off," which allows the skilled driver to push the IS F to the limit on a racetrack.

Ratings for the 2008 Lexus IS Sedan
Ratings and details for all Lexus models