Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Videos, Lexus
VIDEO: Lexus IS-F revving it up
We have voiced our distaste over the tuner styling treatment of the IS-F, the high-performance version of the Lexus IS-Series that debuted earlier this month at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Despite our preference to look away in its preference, our ears perk up at the sound of its 400-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8. We weren't privy to an aural exhibition of the engine while in Detroit covering the show, but thankfully someone with a video camera was present when it appears they were moving the car out of Cobo Hall after the show. The engine sounds throaty, and it's probably louder than any Lexus engine ever made. The question is whether or not the conservative clientele Lexus is known for will go for an IS with an ostentacious body kit and monster motor.
Thanks for the tip, Vin!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alain 5:58PM (1/23/2007)
Like anyone in the know needed another reason to look at Lexus with the disdain that it deserves.
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emulous1974 6:14PM (1/23/2007)
I think the whole point of the F-series of cars and in particular the IS-F is to bring in folks who would of never considered a Lexus product before.
Look what the V-series has done for Cadillac, I mean, how many CTS folks would really buy a V-series version; but how many walked into a Cadillac dealership for the first time because of the CTS-V?
I personally think Lexus will bring in a lot more folks because of the F-series of cars than Cadillac has or will with their V-series.
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Zach 6:15PM (1/23/2007)
Mmmm bouncing a cold, unbroken-in engine off the rev-limiter.
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villainy 6:42PM (1/23/2007)
Zach:
Watching the video shows me that they don't rev it over 5k, seeing as how the redline is at 7... yeah...
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felonious monk 6:59PM (1/23/2007)
"The question is whether or not the conservative clientele Lexus is known for will go for an IS with an ostentacious body kit and monster motor."
Sure they will. Nearly all IS drivers I've come across drive as if they really wanted a BMW M3 (NOT A COMPLIMENT). Now they really have a car to match their ego and insecurity. Lexus won't have any trouble meeting projected sales figures.
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MikeW 7:21PM (1/23/2007)
Toyota mustang cobra
The engine isn't cold, look at the temp gauge.
Who says the rev limiter has to bounce? What if toyota decides to hold it precisely at 7000.
That is what a BMW did with the M54 engine in the current 5-series, hey why did the car stop accelerating? Ooops it is a manual, and the engine is holding 6500rpm in 2nd exactly.
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MIke 7:31PM (1/23/2007)
Nicest sports car and definetly sounds way better than a bimmer or audi or mercedes
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dave 7:54PM (1/23/2007)
just gained a pint of "sludge buildup"
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Bob Mc 8:00PM (1/23/2007)
Too bad it sounds better than it looks.
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indymcsc 8:03PM (1/23/2007)
All that power mated to a crappy automatic tranny. Too bad...so sad.
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chewy 8:04PM (1/23/2007)
Not bad, but nothing extra special. The Audi RS4 and others sound better.
Is that a check engine light or something?
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Phil 10:11PM (1/23/2007)
RS4 sounds like a billion times better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrhOhQLK8XU
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J Finz 11:22PM (1/23/2007)
Not bad but I'd probably take an ls2 CTS-V, with more torque and a manual transmission.
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paul34 12:03AM (1/24/2007)
aw, how sweet
revving the engine in Park! how cute
Maybe even... they used "neutral"? gasp!
I'm glad Toyota made a car where people won't laugh at them... just wait until they dump the clutch in their first demo...
oh wait
that's right
... idiots
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LosBurritos 12:07AM (1/24/2007)
Beautiful looking car but the tailpipe is where that couldbe questioned. Would look like a more polished car if they'd only integrated the quadpipes onto the bottom of that rear bumper.
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superbmtsub 12:32AM (1/24/2007)
Beautiful looking car but the tailpipe is where that couldbe questioned. Would look like a more polished car if they'd only integrated the quadpipes onto the bottom of that rear bumper.
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minh 12:52AM (1/24/2007)
i don't really like the IS-F design either. the regular IS definitely looks better. they need to fix the F badge because it doesn't look good at all.
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superbmtsub 2:08AM (1/24/2007)
#15. "Beautiful looking car but the tailpipe is where that couldbe questioned. Would look like a more polished car if they'd only integrated the quadpipes onto the bottom of that rear bumper."
Sorry. Somehow it clipped off my comments. Even if they did what you said, it still lacks a manual. No manual. No love.
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Gooch 8:09AM (1/24/2007)
This will be a nice, fast car with a horrible body kit. I guess flares were needed to cover the wheels and tires, but dang, how about some integration of the pieces, Lexus? BTW, I sat in a IS 350 last night at the media event for the DC Car Show and it was very nice. The LS460 was amazing. Guess you get what you pay for.
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MikeW 12:44PM (1/24/2007)
If toyota used a comparable tall geared manual transmission (borrowing a wide ratio HD manual 8:1 ratio spread)
1st(5.79) 30mph@5800
2nd(3.31) 60mph@6600
3rd(2.1) 100mph@7000
4th(1.31) 160mph@7000
5th(1) 30mph/1000rpm 195@6500 (keep fingers crossed)
6th(0.72) ~42mph/1000 (175mph@4200)
With the 8 speed automatic (6.7:1 ratio spread)
1st 35mph
2nd 70mph
3rd 100mph
4th 130mph
5th 155mph
6th 190mph
7th (cruise) ~100mph@3000
8th (supercruise) 40mph/1000
The automatic has better acceleration above 100mph.
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