Mercedes-Benz offers folks the AMG high-performance designation on select vehicles for discriminating drivers while BMW answers with its own 'M' badging. Both German automakers have carved out a small, but visible niche for those consumers willing to pay a premium on already premium brands for added braking ability, sportier tuning and more punch under the hood. Higher volume Domestic automakers have also joined in the fray with Ford Motor Co. offering SVT designation while Chrysler LLC adds SRT badging on vehicles seeking more attention from enthusiasts.
Asian brands, especially those of the premium nature (Lexus, Acura and Infiniti) have elected to steer clear of this small but influential segment until now. Beginning in the 2008 model year Lexus, the upscale division of Toyota Motor Co. begins offering the finely tuned "F" moniker on one of its most sporty offerings, the IS sedan. Expect more "F" badged entries to debut on other Lexus vehicles as time goes by.
The IS luxury sedan was never intended to be a volume leader at Lexus; and the IS F slices the low-volume sport sedan even finer. In fact, the new IS F, scheduled to arrive at dealers in February 2008, is projected to generate only about 250 unit sales each month nationwide. That's only about 3,000 sales annually.
For those with driving familiarity with the AMG and M designates from Germany, the new Japan-built IS F will not disappoint. "The IS F provides more grip and responsiveness," according to Nancy Fein, Lexus Vice President of Customer Service. "This is by far the fastest vehicle we've ever made."
While the traditional IS 250 and IS 350 sport sedans are powered by six-cylinder engines, the high-performance, rear-wheel , 2008 IS F four-door gets its power from a 5.0-liter V-8 engine producing 416 horsepower. It's based on the 4.6-liter V-8 used in the Lexus LS and GS sedans, but is specially engineered for higher power output and a higher operating range. The impressive 371 foot-pounds of torque provides plenty of low-end grunt and gets the IS F hauling from a standing start. Zero to 60 MPH can be had in 4.6 seconds. Premium 91-octane gas is required for the 16.9-gallon tank. Mileage estimates for this V-8 are 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway with 18 mpg expected in combined driving.
The powertrain is mated to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission with a 'manu-matic style shifting option. While some enthusiasts may bemoan the lack of a traditional manual transmission, the IS F features one of the most fun and responsive "manu-matics tested.
I've never been a huge supporter of this type of automatic transmission. After all, the best way manually change gears up and down is obviously with a traditional manual transmission. In many four-cylinder powered vehicles, the manu-matic while a novel idea, leaves something to be desired. With the IS F, the manual mode holds each gear to the 6,800 RPM redline. Drivers can manually shift the forward eight gears using the console shift between the front bucket seats, or the recommended steering wheel paddle shifter; both generating gear changes in a blink of an eye, one-tenth of a second. A digital window in the instrument panel shows what gear the engine is currently in. Those drivers who would rather have the vehicle do the work can simply leave the transmission in conventional drive mode.
Since it's a low-volume car, the IS F has a scant few options and most equipment comes standard. No trim levels to decide between since only one is offered. The main options are a DVD Navigation system with 7-inch touch screen and rear back-up camera, moon roof, XM satellite radio and a Mark Levinson Premium Sound system. After debating those choices, the only two decisions to make are the choice of two interior colors (while or black) and six exterior hues. Pricing checks in at $56,000 plus an additional $765 for destination charge.
Drivers and riders have a low-to-the-ground feel inside the IS F. This car features a push-button start as long as the brake pedal is pushed and the electronic key fob is in a pocket or purse or inside the car. Leather-trimmed front bucket seats have side bolsters for lateral support, adding to extra comfort. Lexus seats are notable less fatiguing than seating found in some German luxury brands. Kudos to Lexus also for marketing this mid-size sedan as a four-seater and not a five-seater. Back seats are of the bucket variety (seating two) also with a fold down center arm rest. Seat backs do not fold down, but there is a pass through window for transporting skis or other long, slender objects. The rather diminutive 13.3 cubic-inch trunk features interior, goose-neck interior hinges that are padded so as not to scrunch stored packages. A spare tire stows under the flat floor. Leg room in back is a bit tight, but much more than what's found in the Lexus two-door SC hard-top convertible, another Lexus vehicle with low-volume sales.
Outside, the exterior is conservatively stylish when compared with efforts from other manufacturers. For Lexus, however, this is one of their most eye-catching exterior works. The very short rear deck lid sports a spoiler while the long front hood is raised an inch higher than the traditional IS to house the bigger engine. Front fenders are widened to accommodate low-profile tires. The front grille features a mesh-like, coil spring pattern with center circular "L" logo. Headlight housing is triangular in nature and houses adaptive bi-xenon headlights helping illuminate curves at nights. The "F" icon appears on both front fenders. Also of note are four exhaust pipes, two vertically stacked on each side helping to create a low but notable growl when pushing the accelerator. Ten-spoke aluminum wheels are standard. Side windows in this sedan are large enough as to not create intrusive blind spots.
In addition to the manu-matc, shifting, drivers can push a dashboard button to activate a sport suspension mode, helping the IS F keep grounded during spirited turns. This system, put to the test during intense driving, holds turns great keeping the vehicle flat around corners with no drifting or pulling. Coupled with responsive steering, one can't help but grin. The IS F also differs from the IS 250/350 in that the suspension is lowered by an inch.
The IS F is loaded with standard safety equipment including stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, brake assist, knee air bags, front-seat side mounted air bags and curtain air bags for both rows. If drivers elect, traction and stability control may be turned off via a dashboard switch for tire spinning and drifting turns.
Other notable standard equipment includes heated outside rear view mirrors, heated front seats, fog lamps, ultraviolet reducing glass on all windows, rain-sensing wipers, three-way memory for 10-way power front bucket seats and power tilt and telescoping steering wheel with memory.
The IS F demographic skews heavily male, between 85 and 90 percent. For the 60 percent of the projected married males, this vehicle would be a great second or third car. |