2008 Lexus IS-F

Toyota’s Lexus brand has been compared to luxury-performance stalwarts Mercedes-Benz and BMW right from the start. But while Lexus clearly got the luxury side right, they’ve lacked the European’s performance credentials, at least until now. The new IS-F Sport Sedan, however, clearly takes aim at factory tuned AMG and M-Series cars. So the question is will their “F-forts” pay off? 

There have been many attempts by Asian brands to build a sport sedan that can challenge Europe’s primo performers. But Lexus designers are confident that their 2008 IS-F Sport Sedan will succeed where others have failed.

The first product to wear the Lexus high-performance “F” tuner logo, the IS-F is certainly to the eyes leaner and meaner than its IS250 and IS350 kin.

The “F” sits an inch lower, on a heavily revised sport suspension and rolls on striking 10-spoke 19-inch BBS wheels, with tire pressure monitoring that stores readings for two sets of tires. So you can have that spare set mounted and waiting for your car club’s next track day.

Those bigger, wider wheels require expanded front fenders, accented with unique “F” badging. They frame a deeper, more aggressive front fascia with wire mesh grilles.

There’s a raised center hood for the “F’s” true heart, a 5.0-liter twin-cam V8 that pounds out a blistering 416 horsepower and 371 pound-feet of torque. Based on the 4.6 from the LS, its total rework includes a dual injector fuel system, titanium intake valves, and an electrically controlled intake cam which all exhales through a high-volume stainless steel exhaust, with stacked quad diffusers.

To keep all those horses charging to the rear wheels is an eight-speed automatic transmission that also began life in the LS. In the IS-F, a Direct Shift manual mode is controlled by steering wheel shift paddles.

Add in the Lexus Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system, or VDIM, which coordinates everything from steering, to brakes, to stability and traction control, and the IS-F promises a truly modern, but possibly sterile, driving experience, an impression blown away at California’s Laguna Seca Raceway, where the IS-F delivered undaunted, and highly stimulating hard-core performance.

Put VDIM in Sport mode and enjoy increased weight and feel through the electric power steering, while higher dynamic thresholds allow you to push the chassis closer to its limits before the electronics intervene.

The beefed-up suspension, with trick shocks and stiffer stabilizer bars, keeps the car balanced as it snaps instantly into turns, and the engine’s huge torque hauls it effortlessly back out.

Spin it up to its 6,800 rpm redline and the power just keeps on coming, with a spine tingling exhaust note that’s more NASCAR small block than high tech screamer.

Gear shifts are quick and sharp, and won’t happen unless you snap the paddle, and when you absolutely must slow down, the huge ABS-equipped drilled rotors deliver big power even if they are a bit short on feel. Brake cooling is aided by large ducts in the fascia and vents in the front fenders.

It’s a most unlikely Lexus, even when driven on the street, where the stiff suspension gives it a real Euro-racer feel.

Indeed, while we haven’t driven it back to back with the new BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, the Lexus IS-F certainly impresses us as able to play in the same sand box.

But a Lexus is still a Lexus. So, the IS-F cabin is overloaded with premium features, from fine leather and contrasting stitching on the 10-way power sport seats, to the special “F”-style gauge package.

And a 6-disc 13-speaker sound system with iPod/MP3 connections. A more deluxe 300-watt Mark Levinson system and DVD navigation are optional.

Even the rear seat, still a little tight for tall folks, gets a sharp trim and dual-bucket design, while the 13.3 cubic-foot trunk allows plenty of luggage for your next high speed vacation run.

Though with government fuel economy ratings of 16 city/23 highway, you’ll probably have to fill the fuel tank quite often.

With a price, that won’t officially be available until the car is launched in early 2008, expected to be nudging $60,000. That, too, is in the ball park with rivals.

And play ball it will, with a Lexus that is like no other Lexus before it. The 2008 IS-F is the black sheep of the cultured Lexus clan. But like your wayward cousin with a heart of gold, underneath all that torque and tire smoke, it’s still very much a member of the family.