Road Test: Lexus IS F

Review by Feann Torr - 6/April/2009

Lexus cars have copped a lot of flack for being tarted-up Toyota's over the past 20 or so years they've been in production.

Back in the late 1980s when the original LS400 rolled out of the factory such jibes would have been partly true as some facilities were shared, but the hard-edged Lexus IS F throws off the Toyota shackles once and for all.

Lexus lays claims to its own design, engineering, and manufacturing centers that are separate from its parent company's and the IS F is the perfect example of how different Lexus now is to Toyota.

Toyota builds safe, reliable and some would say very boring cars. But the IS F is anything but dull.

It's a rip-snorting, hard-charging, muscle-bound lump of automotive intensity that pushes the envelope in terms of design and technology.

Powered by a modified V8 engine that drives 19-inch rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox, this Lexus is targetting the likes of the Audi RS4 and BMW M3.

'The Pursuit of Perfection' is the Japanese marque's catchcry and has never been more apt than for the Lexus IS F, a car that aims to deliver unparalleled luxury and performance. But will it live up to expectations? Let's find out:

Drive: 4/5

Drop the hammer and the Lexus IS F explodes into action, accelerating with the kind of incendiary force that has until now been the sole domain of long-established prestige performance cars.

BMW and Audi have been honing their performance models for many years now, and for Lexus to deliver something so ridiculously rapid on its first outing is immensely impressive.

It's a blistering quick car this one, quicker in a straight line than the BMW M3 and with a more stirring war cry. 

Nail the throttle and the Lexus IS F will push your body gently into the supple leather seat backs as the refined 5.0-litre V8 spins towards its almost-7000rpm rev limit.

It emits an amazing sound inside and outside the cabin under a full load, unlike any Lexus before it. And then as the gearbox snatches second gear the rear tyres briefly squeal in protest before the traction control regulates the glut of torque pile-driving the rear axle.

Suffice it to say the first time I performed a full throttle launch I was flabbergasted.

The Lexus squats down slightly on its rear wheels as it accelerates hard off the line and then settles into a Zen-like state where the car feels as if it could reach 300km/h without missing a beat.

But the Lexus IS F is more than just a cleverly paired engine and gearbox.

Beyond the high levels of luxury, which we'll get to later, the Lexus IS F is an easy vehicle to live with and decent daily driver.

Cruising to work in the IS F is not so different than commuting in the standard Lexus IS models. It's a bit wider, the bulging bonnet reduces visibility ever-so-slightly and throttle response is sharper. But overall its an easy car to pilot at slow and middling speeds.

At 4.66 metres long and 1.81 metres wide it's not exactly a small car, yet it's not at the bulky end of the spectrum either. 

Parking it in the driveway or even in a tight underground car park is made blessedly simple thanks to an array of proximity sensors front and rear, not to mention a reversing camera.

The automatic gearbox can also be a smooth and relaxed cog swapper when you're trying to save fuel or just meandering among dense traffic.

Unlike some models in the Lexus range, the suspension is not adjustable. This is a bit of a shame as it has a fairly firm ride, moreso than its rivals from BMW and Audi.

There is some compliance in the suspension and it's not like an Evo VI TME that destroys your back, but overall ride quality is one of the car's less accomplished elements.

It's not as well sorted as the Audi RS4 and you do feel the harsher bumps as the suspension tries to absorb them, but give it a few more generations like its German rivals and the Lexus IS F could be one of the best prestige performance cars in its class, of that I have no doubt.

Because given a smooth stretch of asphalt, or better yet a racetrack, the IS F can be a thoroughly engrossing drive.

With more than 500 Newton metres of torque back ending the car, together with fairly precise steering and a tight chassis, moving the car from corner to corner can be very satisfying -- unless you hit a pot hole or divot in the road which tends to upset the car's trajectory somewhat.

Because the damping rates are quite firm there's not a lot of give in the suspension so when it rides over mid-corner bumps or even shallow furrows in the road when turning at speed, it tends get a little skittish and sometimes skips over them. And when the chassis becomes unnerved, so does the driver.

The 'F' in the Lexus' IS F name stands for Fuji speedway, where the car was tested and broken in. 

Most high performance European cars are evaluated on the famous Nürburgring in Germany, which is notoriously bumpy in some sections. Fuji speedway has a smoother surface, which could explain why the IS F's ride is less compliant.

However the IS F is a very keen cornerer, and for the most part is a rewarding car to drive at full tilt.

For the most part the car feels very planted and grip levels are good thanks to the 19-inch rims shod with 225/40 and 255/35 R19 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A's front and rear.

The Japanese sport sedan has power to burn and the 8-speed cog swapper and stiff rear end put power down very strongly and the IS F feels self-assured up until about 9/10ths.

There is a certain level of feedback to the steering, which is a welcome attribute when you start to push the car harder into corners, telling you what the chassis is doing and how much grip you have left as the road becomes a blur beneath you.

Indeed, the car hustles through corners with the kind of menace you'd expect of an American muscle car, much less a Japanese luxury vehicle, but with more finesse than you'd expect.

Granted, it rides heavily over pot holes and the suspension and damping rates need work, but for the most part the car feels awesome under full throttle, firing out of corners like the bullet from a gun -- it's effin' fast!

You'll encounter touches of power oversteer now and then with large throttle inputs mid-corner, which rarely feel as though they're going to burn you, and it doesn't lean too heavily on front outside wheel (except when you really over commit) which is confidence inspiring.

Body roll is minimal and swapping from throttle to brakes and back again as the IS F tracks round corner after corner comes naturally and is very satisfying. 

The brakes were fairly responsive but they felt like they could have used a little more bite when you bury the pedal. Considering that 6-piston Brembo calipers gnash huge 360mm front disc brakes, my expectations were high.

It could have been that our press car's brakes were a bit worn (which is likely after track work), but nothing else about the vehicle felt abused. 

Depending on your mood or the situation, there are three different drive modes (normal, snow, sport) that give the car the kind of flexibility you'd expect when spending 130 large.

'Snow' allows the car to move off in second gear for slippery surfaces, 'normal' is for everyday driving and commuting duties, while 'sport' tightens the steering and sharpens up the electronic throttle control, providing excellent response to drive input and proving its worth on demanding, high speed twisting sections of road.

This is a big call, but moreso than its rivals the IS F delivers a real sense of occasion whenever you drive it. Even when you're driving to work and don't rev the car above 3500rpm, or are transporting friends to the airport, the way it feels underneath you and the way it reacts to the road - heavy but powerful - is significant.

It may not be as competent or as balanced as its German rivals, but there's something about driving this Lexus that sets your nape hairs on end. 

It's that unquantifiable element that makes you want climb in and nail the throttle time after time; it really does leave an indelible mark on you.

Lexus will need to make improvements to the car's ride quality to catch up to cars like the Audi RS 4 and BMW M3, but all-round - and considering it costs a good $30,000 less than its rivals - the Lexus IS F is a very impressive car.

For Lexus' first attempt at an M3 rival, this is awesome.

Engine: 4/5

It's a tried and tested recipe for success: drop a meticulously engineered V8 into a mid-sized rear-wheel drive car. The results are always going to be explosive, but the Lexus IS F uses some unique ingredients to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Power delivery from the 5.0-litre V8 is hard-hitting, turning the rear wheels with vehemence thanks in part to a strong mid-range hit and a remarkable 8-speed automatic gearbox, dubbed SPDS or Sport Direct Shift.

The gearbox can hold gears at the 6800rpm rev limit and has an 'M' mode that can upchange in 0.1 of a second and downchange in 0.2 seconds claims Lexus, complete with automatic throttle blipping that matches engine speed to gear ratio. Very nice.

For the most part the gearbox works well and offers fast upshifts -- especially for a traditional auto gearbox with torque converter. However compared to a manual gearbox or a twin-clutch setup, it's leaves a little to be desired.

The first seven ratios are quite short, affording the car its explosive acceleration, while a tall eighth gear is suited cruising on the freeway and improving fuel economy under light throttle loads.

Lexus claims an average consumption of 11.4L/100km. Our figure was closer to 15L/100km.

Unlike the Audi RS4 and BMW M3, the Lexus IS F makes a lot of torque lower in its rev range (mainly because of the larger displacement) and is very easy to drive as a result. More than 400Nm of torque is on tap @ 2000rpm, which is what the BMW and Audi generate at much higher revs.

Throttle response is sharp, but not so touchy you can't drive slowly - should such an abhorrent thought occur.

Some of the fancy features of the engine include titanium inlet valves, high-flow intake ports, a dual intake air system, a slanted squish profile pentroof combustion chamber with a sky-high 11.8:1 compression ratio and direct fuel injection.

Peak power of 311kW @ 6600rpm is enough to momentarily override the traction control when shifting from first to second gear (complete with an audible chirp from the rear Bridgestone Potenzas), while 505Nm of torque @ 5200rpm provides the kind of thrust to comfortably push occupants into their swish leather seats.

Flatten your right foot, and the power delivery is strong and unusually linear. It's as though the engine delivers the exact 311 kilowatts of power each and every time it shifts a gear.

This power is delivered in precisely measured quantities every time and this makes the power delivery very predictable, in turn giving the car a an exacting, accurate sensation that provides the perfect platform from which to accelerate.

You would be forgiven for thinking the unfluctuating power delivery suppresses character in the IS F, yet driving the hardcore Lexus is always an occasion.

The sound that reverberates from of the quad exhaust pipes is a controlled but distinctly V8 thump-thump above 4000rpm, while it emits a rather sombre note at low revs.

Rather than an exhaust flange or similar gizmo that changes exhaust pressure (and volume) at a determined point after combustion, the Lexus IS F features a 2-stage air intake system that is simple but exceedingly effective. It gulps down more air (and fuel) when then engine registers a need for maximum power, such as when you floor the throttle, and features a specially developed compact surge tank to deal with rapid changes in air volume.

The end result is one of the most evocative V8 sounds this side of a Mercedes McLaren SLR; it's an incredibly compelling sound, one that turns heads quicker than a swift slap. The twin-stage intake system is possibly also one of the ways the IS F passes acoustic regulations too, because at full tilt it's l.o.u.d!

At idle the car sounds fairly innocuous, but once going the 5.0-litre V8 sounds brilliant. The exhaust note changes from mildly determined to flat-out agro as the tach needle passes 3600rpm, a combination of induction and engine noise. It's incredibly stirring and adds a great deal to the experience and kudos to Lexus for not subduing this high tech V8s voice.

Exterior: 3.5/5

The Lexus IS F looks a bit strange in photos. It has a subtle grotesqueness about it from some angles - there's some ungainly bulges here and there - but the car is more appealing in the metal than on a screen.

Perhaps it's not the most photogenic sports car ever made, but it has a strong presence on the road. The wider stance, lower ride height and large 19-inch alloy wheels are obvious, even from afar, adding much-needed machismo and the vertically stacked dual exhaust system is gets noticed too.

The sinister design that I think Lexus was aiming for comes across at times but ultimately the design is a matter of function before form.

The raised bonnet hasn't been incorporated as well as it might have, yet is needed to accommodate the large V8. The front apron has been modified to deliver improved aerodynamics and a larger air dam helps the engine's thermal efficiency.

Lexus used pressure sensors mounted over deformable body panels during high speed testing to ascertain where body curves and aero aids should be accentuated for optimum downforce, which explains why it's no Mona Lisa. But together with a fairly flat underbody the drag co-efficient is a fairly slippery 0.30.

Interior: 4.5/5

If there's one aspect of car making that Lexus is consistently on top of, it's creature comforts. The IS F's cabin is as lavish as you could want, assuming you don't already have an Arnage T in the car port.

Before you even set foot in the Lexus IS F, the dull sheen of the multi-cushioned leather sports seats beckon like the Siren song, and they are very comfortable to sit in. The front pews are heated, 8-way adjustable, have memory presets with power lumbar adjust as standard, so finding a good driving position takes no time at all.

The seats are excellent, perhaps skewed slightly closer to luxury than sports, but they give the car an exceptionally high grade feel. Furthermore, the IS F is a true 2+2 seater, with a pair of sculpted, form fitting leather buckets for rear passengers, complete with decent torso bolsters to keep all passengers from moving around too much.

Thumbing the ignition button after settling into the drivers seat activates the trademark Lexus initiation: the steering wheel extends closer to you and the seat slides forward. Likewise the seat slides back and the steering wheel retracts when you shut off the engine, aiding egress.

The instrument display is highly legible during day and night, imbuing a certain sense of sophistication with its sharply crafted blue-lit needles. The 300km/h speedometer and 9000rpm tach, on the other hand, leave nothing to the imagination.

In addition to the standard touch-screen central display, the 1700kg Lexus features a small LCD readout between the speedo and tacho dials that displays fuel consumption and some trip data. With a high tech suite of features, including radar-based cruise control, proximity sensors and enough automated systems to make 007 raise his eyebrows, the IS F rarely disappoints.

Together with alloy pedals, a thick leather-bound steering wheel, high-backed bucket seats and silver-carbon accents, the cabin's aesthetic contrasts technology, performance and luxury, all of which combine to create an unerring sense of competence about the way the interior looks and feels.

From the moment I guided the car out of the Lexus lockup, the car felt composed but determined. That this sensation is obvious from the first moment you drive the car speaks volumes for Lexus' ability to build a high quality automobile.

There is a sense of premium luxury throughout the car, from the muted thud of closing doors to the supple leather upholstery and smooth, precisely integrated plastics.

Fit and finish is excellent and the standard features list extensive. Whereas the BMW M3 and Audi RS 4 demand hefty premiums for a range of options, the Lexus IS F has only one option, and that's to remove the sunroof.

There's virtually nothing in the car you could want for.

For instance it comes with smart key, so you needn't even take the fob out of your pocket to unlock the car. When you approach the vehicle subtle downlights come to life around the door handles, which you need only touch for the car to automatically unlock.

Interior room is ample for the front occupants, while left and right rear seat passengers benefit from a fair amount of legroom - more than I was expecting for a car of this size.

Phone controls are fairly easy to setup and use if you have a Bluetooth enabled device, and the 14-speaker 6-stacker CD stereo features surround sound options, providing excellent acoustic definition.

Standard features abound, including a reversing camera with proximity sensors, LED map lights, automatic rain-sensing windscreen wipers and an intuitive touch screen interface that features a range of trip functions and comes with a decent - but ageing - satellite navigation system.

Front and rear fog lamps are included and auto-levelling HID headlamps with an Intelligent Adaptive Front Lighting System (IAFS) can illuminate round corners and together with heated exterior rear-vision mirrors icy nighttime drives need not be feared.

Priced at $129,990, the Lexus IS F sounds expensive but is priced at around $30,000 below its German rivals, which considering the standard fitout and performance specifications is quite impressive.

There was one feature of the interior that seemed to be an afterthought, as opposed to almost every element of the interior which is uniformly excellent. And that was the foot-operated park brake.

For mine this took away from the opulence of the cabin somewhat, like a relic from a cheaper car (read: a Toyota). Lexus should do all it can to distance itself from Toyota if it wants to preserve its image as a top flight luxury car maker.

But if an out-of-sight lever is the only criticism of a place where drivers will spent 97 per cent of their time when operating the vehicle, then Lexus has achieved much.

Safety systems are fitting for a car that costs this much, with myriad airbags covering front and rear passengers and even knee airbags for front occupants, stability control, ABS, vehicle swerve control and the largest and most powerful brakes ever fitted to a Lexus.

The Japanese luxury marque has even devised a special Pre-Collision System (PCS) that works with the millimetre-wave radar cruise control to reduce the severity of a collision by priming the brakes, airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners.

The 378 litre boot is adequate but not massive. It'll fit a few golf clubs, along with a small disassembled coffee table, but there were times during this test when I wished for a little more boot space.

Overall: 4/5

Does the Lexus IS F live up to expectations? For the most part yes. As Lexus' first effort developing a hardcore sports car it's an astonishing achievement, but lacks the balance of the Audi RS4 or BMW M3.

However it's a more affordable car and makes a better value-for-money proposition, and given a couple more generations the Lexus IS F will be a far more balanced vehicle.

As it stands the ride is a bit firm but the car has an astonishing turn of speed, the kind of acceleration you wouldn't normally associate with the brand.

And even while the car is one of the fastest and most powerful in its class, it still retains everything that has made Lexus a bona fide luxury marque. The interior is immaculate, and the sense of occasion every time you drive it, immense.

In terms of an out-and-out performance car the IS F still has a little way to go - particularly in the chassis department - but overall this is a very promising first showing from Lexus' new performance division.