Driving Report Lexus IS-F

Terribly colorless. Japanese cars may be technically perfect, but in the end they are always somehow “colorless” and “boring” - almost anemic and emotionless. Yes - that's how I once thought and yes, I still know a lot of drivers who still think that way. But - probably none of them has driven this car before.

14 days with the Lexus IS-F caused sore muscles in the face for 14 days. This constant grin while driving was a particular challenge for my facial muscles. The IS series at Lexus is nothing more than the noble Japanese version of the BMW 3 Series and C-Class. Thanks to the letter “F”, which by the way stands for the “Fuji” race track, the somewhat staid limousine becomes an amphetamine for everyday automotive use.

F as in Fuji, or as the Japanese pay homage to the V8 engine:

Lexus IS-F in the driving report

LEXUS IS-F 423PS

Classic limousine: If the limousines from Toyota are not luxurious and noble enough, you will find your comfort in the showrooms of the subsidiary brand Lexus. On the basis of the credibly upright IS series, the concept of the classic sedan has been turned into a sports car with a trunk that stalks the German top dogs M3 and C63 AMG in the slipstream - and then pulls past thanks to free travel up to 270.

There is no substitute for displacement: The future in automotive engine construction may belong to downsizing - but from now on my heart belongs to this engine. Five liters of displacement distributed over 8 cylinders, thanks to direct injection and variable valve timing, blessed with pure pleasure in revs. With the accelerator on the direct route to the Elysium of internal combustion engine technology. Always on the lookout to whisk the driver into the Kraftquellen- Walhalla with the slightest movement of his accelerator.

8 courses for a hallelujah: Automobile transmission culture at the peak of perfection. In the IS-F, an automatic converter with eight stages does its job. But if you now believe - with an automatic converter, you can immediately put any sporting requirement on the next parking lot, you will be more than positively surprised by the IS-F. Because in “M mode”, from second gear onwards, a torque converter lock-up serves as a samurai for the transmission performance and ensures that the next gear is engaged within 0,1 seconds. When downshifting, double-throttle shocks miss the engine at the correct speed so that the rear axle is not unbalanced by drag torques. As a result, the motivated sports driver receives an acoustic staging that you can't do better in Munich or Affalterbach.

If you look at the motor power and the masterfulness of the automatic gearbox, then the assessment of the opulently powerful Japanese, with its roots in the mid-range automobiles that are hungry for premium, seems to be clearly defined - right?

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  • Model Name: [wpseo]Lexus IS-F[/wpseo]
  • Equipment:  -
  • Test car Price: 71.320€
  • Basic price series: 70.600€ 
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  • displacement: 4.969 ccm³
  • Power: 423 PS
  • maximum speed: 270 km/h
  • Acceleration: 0-100: 4,8 seconds
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Lexus IS-F rear

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That's what he wants to be:

The samurai in the class of powerful limousines.

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He can do that:

Make an enormous balancing act between a performance ride and a long-distance gallop.
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He can not do that:

Fulfill all wishes.
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Lexus IS-F hood

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Design exterior: Samurai in a bathrobe

You should have a little SuperPlus in your blood to recognize the IS-F for what it is. From the outside he wears a coat that cleverly conceals the performance. Only the very tightly curved engine hood and the fenders, which want to cover an enormous track width and wide wheels, are noticeable at first glance. From behind there are the 4 unorthodox arranged exhaust pipes that cause a slight frown. A sedan with unusually thick cheeks - I feel a little reminiscent of the 500 Mercedes of the blessed W124 series. There, too, a large V8 was hidden under the bonnet, which was otherwise mostly painted in light ivory. The then extremely potent 500 was only really betrayed by its thick cheeks. As in the case of the IS-F.

A samurai who exchanged his kimono for a bathrobe.

Rating: 10 of 10 points

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Design & feel inside: Arg Asian

One look into the cockpit and its dominant rev counter and it should be clear to the last person what this car is about to be about.

I find the mix of bored-looking plastic and a digital watch that is all too plainly reminiscent of the eighties less impressive. However, my wife could no longer get out of the IS-F. She has never before felt so comfortable and protected. For me personally, however, the driver's seat didn't go down far enough and the steering wheel didn't come out far enough.

It remains with these two points of criticism - the rest of the interior convinces with a lot of leather and impeccable workmanship. Despite the deliberately taut chassis, a maximum of 4 occupants sit in an oasis of calm. Assuming - the driver keeps the engine below 3.500 revolutions ...!

Rating: 7 of 10 points

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Lexus IS-F cockpit

Driving performance & driving experience: Drive across, see more.

There are not only 8 cylinders pounding under the hood of the Lexus IS-F, but also two hearts in its chest. If you leave the eight-speed automatic to its own devices and only gently caress the accelerator, you will experience the wonderful world of effortless, silent and yet sustainable locomotion. Thanks to the large maximum possible ratio of eight gears, you can deal with all possible traffic situations with pleasure and only briefly above idle speed - up to cruising at 130 km / h.

If you press the “Sport Button” on the steering wheel and set the automatic transmission to manual, you will experience a second Lexus IS-F. Sharpened. The five-liter V8 pushes the 4 passengers over the asphalt belt energetically and with a lot of pressure through the entire speed range. Bitumen associations fear the anger of the rear tires when the force of 505 Nm attacks them. Thanks to a Torsen differential lock on the rear axle, the rear-wheel drive car makes the best of the situation - but the 19-inch model on the rear axle can be persuaded from traction to sliding friction almost at will.

During my test period, winter tires were also fitted - in connection with the first cold nights of frost and damp roads, the harmless limousine representative became an entertaining playmate who was inclined to constantly drive sideways.

Thanks to the mechanical lock, the IS-F can be easily moved in drift around bends of any kind. In addition to establishing a good relationship with the nearest gas station attendant, in the event that these talents are used abundantly, you should also maintain a good connection with the tire dealer.

A different tire choice could also be helpful. The tester was equipped with 225 mm winter tires in 18 inches all around. Compared to the mixed tires in summer with 225 / 40-19 front and 255 / 35-19 rear, a clear traction disadvantage - already in theory. Blatant in practice.

The ZF dampers are tightly - very tightly - tuned, here I would like variable dampers to do the balancing act between ultra-nimble touring limousine and well-hidden extreme athlete even better. All in all - whining at a high level. But precisely because the level of the motor-gearbox unit is so high, the small reviews count twice. Perfection is no longer a distant goal - not for this samurai!

Rating: 8 of 10 points

Lexus ISF rear

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everyday factor: Pleasure in Japanese

16.7 liters of super per 100 km. If you want to sweeten your everyday life with the IS-F, you should have the necessary reserves for the trivialities with such a vehicle. In addition to the obligatory petrol station visit, the tire question must not be left unanswered.

My test drive took place with winter tires due to the period - it is November - and here you can attest to the sports fan that he is not particularly squeamish about the black gold. In principle, you are able to steer the entire load with your right foot at any time, anytime and anywhere. That such courageous effort is not beneficial for the life of the tires - well, I don't think I have to explain that specifically. The sentence winter tires in 225 / 45-18 V costs: 785 €. Just as information for the “drifters” among us!

With a trunk volume of 378 liters, a maximum of 4 passengers can go on the big tour without having to limit themselves to the “2 sports car driver luggage” consisting of toothbrushes and credit cards.

A clear plus point for everyday life: the IS-F does not look like 423 hp and therefore impresses as a sports sedan with its high level of social compatibility. Typically Japanese: Always modest on the outside!

Rating: 8 of 10 points

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Standard equipment: Full House

Desirably happy thanks to extensive standard equipment. The IS-F buyer does not have any other choice, because the list of surcharges remains extremely clear, typically Japanese. Only a glass sunroof, metallic paint and an adaptive cruise control system are on the list of optional equipment.

Since I would blow up the report by listing all the equipment details, only the most important in brief: Airbags galore (10 in number!) Xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights, 2-zone automatic air conditioning, navigation entertainment system with touchscreen and Mark-Levinson audio system, cruise control, electric seats with memory function, heated seats, keyless go and a start-stop button to start the most important things on the vehicle: the eight-tender under the humpback whale hood.

I miss: A head-up display, a DAB radio, active cornering lights and an active chassis (e.g. BILSTEIN) to have the opportunity to choose between a more comfortable and an even sportier variant.

Rating: 9 of 10 points

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Lexus IS-F V8 engine

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Engine: good times

Seldom has the pain at the gas station been so sweet. It may be that a turbocharged engine with a castrated displacement can achieve similar performance values ​​if it is only pressurized enough. But nothing beats the sound of a V8 engine starting. Particularly recommended in an underground car park with the door open. This vrüt-vrüt-vrüt-vroooooom is balm for the ears of individuals battered by diesel engines.

Lexus IS-F under the hood

The 5l V8 from Lexus plays the solid and brave torque supplier up to 3.600 revolutions in order to transform itself into an animal roaring and wildly hammering sports engine when this limit is exceeded. He wants to be whipped until just below 6.600 revolutions in order to push further in manual mode within a fraction of a second after changing gears.

Fascination is spelled “ISF”.

Rating: 10 of 10 points

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Transmission: 8-gear automatic

It was difficult for me to decide what was most fascinating about the Lexus IS-F, the engine - or the transmission? With the eight-speed automatic, the Japanese did everything right. In automatic mode, the gear changes are smooth and comfortable. Blessed with the wide spread of 8 gears, it can be glided at any time with a decidedly low speed. Tempo 130 elicits little more than idling speed from the V8 in eighth gear.

For many sporty vehicles with automatic transmissions, however, the transmission is the greatest obstacle when driving in a sporty manner. There is wild switching back and forth, the converter eats up power and an automatic transmission doesn't really fit the “sport idea” after all.

In the Lexus, the converter is bypassed as soon as the driver switches to manual mode. The result is gear changes in the range of 0,1 seconds when upshifting and with automatic double-declutching perfected gear changes when downshifting. And : The transmission does not patronize its driver, there is no kickdown command and it remains in the selected gear, even if you turn the engine into the limiter. Perfect!

The first Mr. Jekyll and Hyde gearbox! That's the way it has to be!

Rating: 10 of 10 points

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Lexus IS-F side view

Multimedia & Audio: Sideline

Theoretically, the IS-F has a great sound system. Even a premium surround sound system with 14 speakers. The sound is accordingly fine. Only the outdated multimedia system with its coarse pixelated graphics and the not very intuitive operation disturbs the multimedia enjoyment. The V8 engine compensates for this at all times with an honest sound presentation.

The navigation system will probably also be happy when it is retired, so the voice and the audio announcement of the route information is pleasant and complete - the graphics and the operation are no longer up-to-date.

Rating: 5 out of 10 points

Lexus interior view

Lifestyle: Underdog

You still meet people who don't know what to do with the Lexus brand - it's a shame, because Lexus builds fascinating vehicles and even more important for the German one Premium customers: Less pragmatism, more attention to detail and above all the highest technical perfection.

By the way: Out of 10 passers-by surveyed, 10 found the Lexus “pretty” and pleasing in design. Some felt like they were looking at a “powerful” limousine. Everything was done right!

Rating: 8 of 10 points

Lexus IS-F country road

The cost factor:

With 71.320 € Lexus calls for a hefty sum for a neat four-seater sedan - considering the performance potential and the perfection in the presentation, however, I consider the Lexus to be a “bargain”. A comparable Mercedes-Benz C63AMG (test next year!) Comes to at least € 80.000 with comparable equipment.

The follow-up costs are never to be underestimated with such vehicles - however, this affects all vehicles in this performance class and is therefore not included in the result.

There are extra points for the service interval of 30.000 km (or 24 months) and the fact that Lexus comes with a 3-year guarantee as standard.

Rating: 5 of 10 points (5 points - the maximum number of points for vehicles over 50.000!)

Lexus IS-F station wagon

Briefly mentioned:

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Brembo:

Asian manufacturers like to say when they use components from well-known manufacturers, in this case Lexus relies on a pizza plate-sized (360 mm) brake system with 6-piston monoblock calipers from BREMBO on the front axle. At the rear, the Brembo disc is only slightly (345 mm) smaller
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Consumption:

Painful but true: It is best to only drive long distances - in the city, consumption is around 16 liters and when driving overland in accordance with the StVo it is around 9 liters. If you really let it go, you can crack the 20 limit without any problems and then drive every 245 km to refuel.
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Torsos:

A mechanical rear axle lock remains the ultimate solution for sporty vehicles when struggling for traction. Lexus also uses a traction lock that regulates braking intervention but can be switched off for use on the track. A “sport button” also varies the control interventions.
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Empty weight:

More sumo than bonsai. Luxury and thick technology add up to a curb weight of just under 1.8 tonnes. Actually too much to pursue serious sporting intentions. Thanks to the powerful V8 and snappy Brembo brakes, the balancing act is surprisingly successful!

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Lexus IS-F snout

And finally ...

"The only thing that helps in the long run is ...”Performance - decent engine performance. It's a wonderful sedan that Lexus has on offer. The new IS should be available shortly and then hopefully a new IS-F soon. This famous combination of a powerful touring limousine and power drift-capable cornering horror is incredibly fun every day and every kilometer!

IS-F degree

The Lexus IS-F is just one horny powerwool in innocent limousine format - this is confirmed by the number of points:

Ranking: 80 from 100 points

There is no room for discussion: The points result in an overall ranking and are comparable across all vehicle classes - as they are directly and objectively based on the model class and target group. The more points, the better the vehicle. A sports car cannot achieve 100 points because its everyday use is low. A family van may fail in the “straight performance”. The ranking is of course completely subjective - it is that my-car-blog Ranking. Bjoern Habegger

[toggle title=”Disclosure:”] My test verdict is not for sale and was therefore created without the influence or control of the manufacturer!
Nevertheless: Thanks to Lexus Germany for the test vehicle.[/toggle]

Text / photos: Bjoern Habegger | autohub.de | 2012 |  by-nc-nd

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