Lexus IS F
Expert Rating:
Introduction
Lexus chose to take on the established luxury market players like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but until now it has concentrated on the mainstream models within their ranges. The IS F changes that; with it Lexus reckons it's got a machine to take on the more extreme models from BMW's M car division and Mercedes' barely tame in-house tuner AMG.
What are its rivals?
There are two obvious direct rivals for Lexus's black sheep, the IS F squaring up to the BMW M3 saloon and the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG. Presently Audi doesn't have a contender here, but its eventual RS4 will no doubt join its German compatriots for a scrap with the Japanese upstart. All are V8s, all feature rear-wheel drive and all make noises that could wake the dead. They all wear their additional power with pouting bulges, gaping air intakes and massive exhausts, the IS F particularly notable in the exhaust department with its quad layout sitting stacked on each other - a pair at each side.
How does it drive?
Double the number of exhaust outlets on the IS F and you've got the number of gears you have at your disposal. Eight, which is at least one more than you really need. Actually, the 5.0-litre V8 is so flexible you could probably happily manage with half the gears, the eight speeder busy and very keen to drop cogs at the merest brush of the accelerator. It's best left in manual mode then, where the paddle shifters allow you to hold the gears you want. You might be tempted to allow the revs to flare though, as it sounds magnificent. Lexus's usual refinement is turned completely on its head with the IS F's 5.0-litre V8. However, it would be wrong to call it noise; it's sound, and a glorious one at that, the V8 howling through its quad exhausts with a deep rumble that's layered with an exotic-sounding scream at higher revs. It's clear that the sound engineers at Lexus enjoyed the opportunity to make noise rather than suppress it for a change.
The sound backs ups its performance too, the IS F not short of accelerative ability. Sixty-two mph arrives in just 4.8 seconds and it'll reach 168mph if you've got the space, those figures placing it perfectly alongside its intended rivals. The ride is firm to the point of jarring on poorly surfaced roads, increased speed allowing the suspension to work better and smooth the ride out. Although the car corners flatly, there's little feel at the chunky steering wheel, even if it's direct enough and delivers good weighting. With all that power it's quite easy to have the rear wheels steering the IS F as much as the fronts, the Lexus needing steady nerves in wet weather. Unquestionably fast, and remarkably competent, the Lexus is right up with its competition in all but that intangible, want-me factor, those experiencing it coming away impressed deeply by the phonics, but rarely talking excitedly about the way it drives.
What's impressive?
The stand-out feature is unquestionably the noise this car makes, the IS F one of the finest sounding machines on the right side of £100,000. Lexus has absolutely thrown equipment at it too, the IS F coming with everything imaginable, including satnav, leather, a Mark Levinson DVD audio system, adaptive cruise control and a pre-crash safety system. In rivals you'll have to pay for many of these extras, if indeed they're available at all.
What's not?
As with its rivals the IS F likes a drink, the official 24.8mpg Lexus quotes only possible if you drive it like your granny drives her Toyota Yaris. To do so would be doing yourself a disservice, not least as you'd never get to hear the V8 in full voice. The IS F might come well equipped, but you'll also pay a bit more for it than you will an M3 or C 63 AMG, both of which have a little more credibility in the high performance saloon marketplace.
Should I buy one?
That's a question we've all been mulling over a lot in the office. There's a great deal to like about the IS F, but whether in all but numbers it can really cut it against its key rivals remains a tough issue to resolve. It sounds amazing, but despite this it never quite manages to reach the heights of interaction and ability set by its German rivals. We'd congratulate anyone taking the plunge, not least for not following the crowd, but if it were our own money we'd probably head to one of the German firms' dealers rather than a Lexus one.
