Lexus IS F

Infobox Automobile


name = Lexus IS F
manufacturer = Lexus
parent_company = Toyota Motor Corporation
assembly =
production = 2008–present
platform =
related = Lexus IS
class = Sport luxury car
layout = FR layout
body_style = 4–door sedan
engine = 5.0 L "2UR-GSE" V8
transmission = 8–speed Paddle Shift automatic
length = 4660 mm (183.5 in)
width = 1815 mm (71.5 in)
height = 1415 mm (55.7 in)
weight = 1714 kg (3,780 lbs)
wheelbase = 2730 mm (107.5 in)The Lexus IS F is a high performance version of the Lexus IS series of sport luxury cars. It is the first vehicle in the Lexus F division line of performance vehicles from Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. The first generation IS F, which premiered at the 2007 North American International Auto Show, features a larger, more powerful engine than standard IS models, improved suspension and brakes, body design enhancements, and other vehicle changes. The IS F sports 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 4.6 seconds. [ [http://www.lexus.com/fcv/is_f.html Lexus - Future/Concept Vehicles - IS-F] ] The vehicle went on sale for late 2007 in Japan, in early 2008 in the United States, [ [http://news.windingroad.com/countriesmarkets/japan/japan-report-lexus-is-f-sales-start/ Winding Road - Lexus IS-F Sales Start] ] and in Europe in 2008.

History

In 2006, several automotive publications reported on rumors of a higher performance variant of the IS being tested at various stages of development. Spy photos of such a vehicle being tested in Germany and California were published in several magazines and websites. Among these spy reports, several photos were shown of a heavily modified and camouflaged IS sedan at the Nürburgring test track in Germany along with other disguised Lexus test vehicles. The previous generation IS 430 prototype vehicle was indicative of future possibilities for the IS series, including the likelihood that a second generation high-performance IS model could come equipped with a V8 engine. It was rumored that there would be a coupe and a convertible version for a 2009 model, as well as a convertible version of the V8-powered IS. [Note: Lexus dropped the hyphen in official press documents as of vehicle launch, referring to it as IS F. Several media sites continue to use the hyphen in error. [F Story [http://www.lexus.com/isf/isf/fstory.html] ] ]

.

The Lexus IS F features an 8-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift (Sport Direct Shift, or SPDS), a new sport version of Lexus' electronic stability control system (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, or VDIM, featuring three distinct on-off modes), and was equipped with Brembo brakes stamped with the Lexus emblem. [ [http://www.automoblog.net/2007/05/19/the-2008-lexus-is-f-spotlight-of-the-new-york-auto-show/ Lexus IS F Spotlight of the New York Auto Show] ] Other design features included a four-passenger cabin with carbon-fiber panels, steering wheel paddle shifters, and 19-inch BBS forged aluminum alloy wheels. The vehicle body was lowered by 1 cm (0.5 inches) compared to the standard IS. [ [http://www.lexus.com/fcv/isf/isf_popup.html?s_ocid=30131 Lexus Unveils Two High-Performance Vehicles at the 2007 North American International Auto Show] ] Noticeable about the IS F's design are its faux (fake; they do not actually connect to the true exhaust) quad exhaust tailpipes comprised of vertically stacked dual exhaust pipes not connected to its tips on the left and right rear. [ [http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=6177 ROADandTRACK.com -- Road Tests - Road Test: 2008 Lexus IS F] ] For 2008, the IS F carried a base price of $56,000 USD.

Performance

"Road & Track" tested the IS F in their January 2008 issue, attaining a 0-convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on time of 4.4 seconds, a slalom speed of convert|71.2|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on (convert|0.3|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on adrift of a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S), and an electronically limited top speed of convert|170|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. [cite web | url = http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=6177 | title = Road Test: 2008 Lexus IS F | accessdate = 2007-12-21 | author = Mike Monticello | publisher = Road & Track]

Production

In October 2007, the IS F premiered in Japan, with a 500-unit yearly target for that country, and a 5,000-6,000 yearly unit target for the U.S. market.cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-10-04-lexus-sportscar_N.htm
title=Fastest Lexus ever: Toyota shows off new sportscar|date=2007-10|publisher=Associated Press|last=Kageyama|first=Yuri|accessdate=2007-10-30] Top speed was listed at convert|168|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. An earlier "Autoweek" item had speculated that Lexus may build only 1,000 IS Fs for the US market,cite web |url=http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/lexus-building-only-1-000-is-f-for-u-s-market/ |title=Lexus building only 1,000 IS F for U.S. market |accessdate=2007-01-31 |last=Lavrinc |first=Damon |date=2007-01-31 |format=HTML |publisher=Autoblog |language=English] and also suggested that the vehicle would have a top speed of 320 km/h (200 mph) (contradicting the generally accepted standard for this automotive class), which led automotive news sites to question the accuracy of their information.cite web|url=http://www.autospies.com/news/Say-It-Isn-t-So-Lexus-To-Limit-IS-F-Production-to-Under-1000-Units-12131/ |title=Autospies - Say It Isn't So: Lexus To Limit IS F Production to Under 1000 Units? |accessdate=2007-02-24 |date=2007-01-30 |format=HTML |publisher=Autospies |language=English] The editor and representatives of a major Lexus IS enthusiast website with Lexus press access further suggested that "Autoweek"'s report may be referring to the LF-A supercar,cite web|url=http://my.is/ |title=The Lexus IS F: A 200 mph top speed? Less than 1000 annually for the U.S.? |accessdate=2007-02-24 |last=Ruhi Jr. |first=Joaquin |date=2007-01-29 |format=HTML |publisher=my.IS |language=English] which Lexus did indicate could reach convert|200|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. [ [http://www.pressroom.lexus.com/Releases/View?id=TYT2007010831657 Lexus Pressroom IS F and LF-A Press Conference - 2007 NAIAS, Detroit] ] In 2007, the head of Lexus GB stated in an interview that 150 IS Fs would be allocated for the UK market. [cite web| url=http://www.motortrader.com/24829/Lexus-plans-for-growth-on-the-.ehtml|title=Lexus GB plans for growth on the back of its hybrid models|publisher=Motor Trader|accessdate=2007-04-18|date=2007-04-18]

External links

* [http://www.lexus.com/isf Lexus.com IS F]
* [http://www.lexus.eu/range/is/is-f/index.aspx Lexus.eu IS F]
* [http://lexus.jp/models/isf/index.html Lexus.jp IS F]

References