The new IS-F is the first production iteration of the Lexus ‘F’ designation, an ultra-high performance sports series for the premium automotive segment. The new F-Sports saloon has been designed specifically to allow drivers to realise their passion for the ultimate in precision, high-performance engineering, whether for circuit racing or in everyday use.

The IS-F maintains the traditional Lexus values of technological–sophistication, leading edge engineering and unparalleled refinement, whilst redefining the driving experience through a state-of-the-art powertrain and chassis dynamics tuned to provide outstanding performance and instant, precision response to inputs, rewarding the driver with unparalleled involvement and entertainment under all driving conditions.



5.0 litre V8 Petrol Engine

The IS-F’s new, 2UR-GSE 5.0 litre V8 engine combines all the precision engineering and technological sophistication of the LS 600h’s renowned 5.0 litre powerplant -from which it is derived with a range of specific, sports tuning enhancements designed to realise ultra-high performance appropriate to the new Lexus FSports marque without compromise to the brand’s legendary engine refinement and durability.

Generating over 300kW/400DIN hp and 500Nm/37 0lb.ft of torque, the new Lexus V8 is mated to an 8-speed direct sport shift (an 8-speed manual/automatic transmission), and is capable of accelerating the IS-F 0-100km/h in under 4.9 seconds and on to an electronically governed top speed of over 270kmh/169mph, whilst remaining fully compliant with Euro IV legislation and generating CO2 emissions below 285 g/km.



The new 5.0L unit features a D-4S stoichiometric direct injection system, the world’s only high compression ratio injection system to adopt two injectors per cylinder. The system combines the strengths of both direct and port injection, realising optimum engine efficiency throughout the power band and improving torque whilst minimising fuel consumption and emissions. Under heavy throttle loads, D-4S employs direct injection alone, which improves the efficiency of each charge and allows for a higher compression
ratio, thus improving engine output and balanced performance.

The V8 powerplant is also equipped with Lexus’ third-generation Dual VVT-i. This optimised, low pressure loss, variable intake and exhaust timing system incorporates VVT-iE, the world’s first electric motor driven intake camshaft which, unlike hydraulic VVT, is capable of operating across the full engine rpm range down to idle and totally independent from air temperature. Allied to D-4S and Dual VVT-i, the 5.0 litre unit’s sports tuning enhancements include a new cylinder head design and dual air intake, whilst the extra throttle operation for the secondary port controls intake air volume under high performance driving conditions without compromising performance in the lower part of the rpm band.

Do you know what single thing has put me off this (apart from those ludicrous 'bongs' when traction control kicked in, in the Jason Plato review on Fifth Gear) - the fact that those bling stacked exhaust tips ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST! They're stuck on, like those in the Mazda MPS...

That to me says 'despite all the PR, this car is not the skunk-works special project from the engineers' that it claims to be. Well, that and the false vents...

Ow, shocking words indeed.

Shocked words...

Where the Soarer talks to authenticity, integrity, and avoidance of glitter, false tips speak to something else entirely.

Of course, one could put one's own tips on (I don't even like the vertical stacking...)...