Lexus IS-F with test results (looks pretty threatening!)

[swamp2]

OK you may say this belongs in the other cars section, but since most of us are keenly interested in competitors to the M3, I think it belongs right here in this section.

Car and Driver got their hands on an IS-F and did some actual testing and have numbers to report. It looks way better than expected.

• 416hp (a shade more than the M3)
• 371 ft lb torque (excellent)
• Redline 6800 rpm (not so hot...)
• Estimated curb weight 3800 lb (not so good)
• lb/hp IS-F: 9.1
• lb/hp E92 M3: 8.8 (1655 kg, 414 hp)

• 0-60mph: 4.2s (4.4 from C&D test, admitted some traction problems)
• 0-100mph: 9.8s (est. CarTest E92 M3 10.6s - anyone have an actual test number?)
• 0-150mph: 24.7s (est. CarTest E92 M3 26.6s - anyone have an actual test number?)
• 1/4 mi: 12.7s @ 114
• Braking 70mph - 0: 159 ft
• Skidpad (300ft): .92g (E92 M3 .94g)

I am suprised by how good the straight line performance is lugging around 3800 lb with only 416 hp and a 6800 rpm redline. The torque is fat though!

Other details:

• Brembo calipers
• 19" forged aluminum wheels, stock
• Excellent ride/handling balance
• Estimated base price: $59k USD (a nice under the $60k "psychological barrier" move by Lexus)

Original article here.

OK I know most folks think the car is hideous. Let's try to focus the replies on how much of a threat you think this car will be to the M3 strip/track/street. I think I may have to begin "back pedaling" a bit as I thought there would be no way they would get this car as fast as them seem to.

[Sedan_Clan]

As for the IS-F, I never doubted its staight line performance capabilities. I'm actually happy to hear that it should perform well. What kills my interest in the IS-F is its aesthetic appeal (..or lack thereof), and it's lack of a traditional manual. Lexus' historical lack of steering feedback/feel also has me a bit doubtful of its on-road prowess.

[hks786]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

As for the IS-F, I never thought that performance would be shabby. I'm actually happy to hear that it should perform well. What kills my interest in the IS-F is its aesthetic appeal (..or lack thereof), and it's lack of a traditional manual.

I think I agree about the looks. It's the exhausts and hood that annoy me. The rest is fine mostly. Even the side vent doesnt look THAT bad. I also agree about the manual but I'm glad to see that the auto is quite good! I think overall, it is a great effort from Lexus. This is their first attempt.

Oh yeah. Look at this though. This really really made me angry when I seen this. Not only ugly, non functional too!

[mkoesel]

Um 12.7 quarter mile with 3800lbs to cars around and only 416hp, 371ft-lb? That car has got to be underrated. I hope all the production cars are that fast. That's really flyin.

[Keto]

ZOMG the exhaust gets even worse.

We all know Toyota can make a straight line fast car -- Supra anyone?

I think all the magazine racers will be forced to drive 'em (RS4 if still avail/C63/ISF/M3) if they don't have a preference from looks or other features.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Um 12.7 quarter mile with 3800lbs to cars around and only 416hp, 371ft-lb? That car has got to be underrated. I hope all the production cars are that fast. That's really flyin.

Exactly my thoughts. Are the gear ratios available yet? As soon as I can get those I can get busy with CarTest just as sanity check on their numbers to see if it us under rated.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by hks786

Wow that is terrible, the epitome of form over function. Ugh.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Um 12.7 quarter mile with 3800lbs to cars around and only 416hp, 371ft-lb? That car has got to be underrated. I hope all the production cars are that fast. That's really flyin.

Seems that this possibility applies to both the IS-F and the GT-R.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by swamp2

Exactly my thoughts. Are the gear ratios available yet? As soon as I can get those I can get busy with CarTest just as sanity check on their numbers to see if it us under rated.

Swamp, I willing to bet the ratios are similar to the LS460, since they both have the 8 speed tranny and have very similar engines. What do you think? You could plug them in and check.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Seems that this possibility applies to both the IS-F and the GT-R.

True, SC. But the GTR is also AWD for a serious traction advantage, and plus has a turbo motor which is more likely to be underrated by a substantial amount. The IS-F really catches me by surprise.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Swamp, I willing to bet the ratios are similar to the LS460, since they both have the 8 speed tranny and have very similar engines. What do you think? You could plug them in and check.

Could be same tranny ratios but unlikely to have the same final drive. I don't think it is worth messing with until I have both concretely.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by hks786

Oh yeah. Look at this though. This really really made me angry when I seen this. Not only ugly, non functional too!

What a joke. This will be the first factory tuned car that absolutely requires an aftermarket body kit. I have faith that someone will make this car look reasonable. Heck just putting the IS350 parts on would be a huge improvement (albeit a dull one).

[m_bazeepaymon]

I believe that E92 M3 drivers are capable of beating the ISF in a straight line, depending on driving skills

[the dual clutch can easily do it if u know how to push the paddle at redline ]
in the track and canyons I am over confident that the E92 M3 will succeed...

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by swamp2

Could be same tranny ratios but unlikely to have the same final drive. I don't think it is worth messing with until I have both concretely.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t209659.html

Could that final drive be correct?

[Hans Delbruck]

0-100 in under 10 seconds is also a pretty remarkable figure.....

I really would like to drive all the possibilities before I decide... but what are the chances of that? Maybe if I pull up to the dealers in the GT3...

[lucid]

Originally Posted by Hans Delbruck

I really would like to drive all the possibilities before I decide... but what are the chances of that? Maybe if I pull up to the dealers in the GT3...

Then they will not take you seriously for sure...

[Hans Delbruck]

Originally Posted by lucid

Then they will not take you seriously for sure...

You're probably right.

[Robert]

Are you serious? WTF

OK I know most folks think the car is hideous. Let's try to focus the replies on how much of a threat you think this car will be to the M3 strip/track/street. I think I may have to begin "back pedaling" a bit as I thought there would be no way they would get this car as fast as them seem to.

It doesn't look that hideous in person. The mods over the vanilla IS are actually quite subtle.

[Pharmacist_]

[quote=swamp2;1588568]Exactly my thoughts. Are the gear ratios available yet? As soon as I can get those I can get busy with CarTest just as sanity check on their numbers to see if it us under rated.[/QUOTE

Here are the gear ratios from the Lexus Is-F website:

Gear Ratios 1st 4.596
2nd 2.724
3rd 1.863
4th 1.464
5th 1.231
6th 1.000
7th 0.824
8th 0.685

More info here: http://www.lexus.com/isf/isf/specs.html

Hope that helps

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t209659.html

Could that final drive be correct?

Looks about right and it consistent with a top speed of 172 (limited). CarTest computes 179 unlimited. I still had to make a few estimates for CarTest. I assumed a frontal area of 25.2, Cd = .29, curb weight = 1690 kg, compression 11.8, weight on front 53%. Last but not least I gave the automatic tranny a big benefit of the doubt with enagage time and shift time of exactly .1 seconds (fast). Still the numbers are nowhere close to quoted figures. I think they are significantly under rating! Either way if they do get the straight line numbers the mag. reported it will be a really fast car. I have to try a few more custom transmission parameters as it looks like the sihifts are not quite fast enough in the acceleration graphs but for now I fully call under rated.

[OzStriker]

A car is more than just how quickly it gets to 100kph or how long it takes to move over 1 kilometer.

Honestly I think that thing looks horrible. For me there is no passion in a Lexus.....M3 on the other hand....

Each to his own of course but for me the M3 is more than just a 0-100 time of 4.8seconds

[Epacy]

Surprised by the numbers.
The exhaust part is appaling. Hadn't seen that before.

Is there a released dyno graph for the IS-F?

I will stay away from all the horrible looks comments.
Only one though, has anyone seen the "F" emblem? It is very cartoonish and doesn't conjure thoughts of power. The emblem invokes thoughts of a Fiero for some reason.
Sorry Swamp.