2007 Lexus IS-F: Performance Lexus Sedan

After being teased with a photo of a weird exhaust pipe configuration, the Lexus IS-F was finally unveiled early this month at the NAIAS 2007. To be frank, I don’t fancy it’s looks at all. In an attempt to make the IS look intimidating, the end result is a kit that is too aftermarket for my tastes, plus there is no manual option, and Lexus seems to have skimped on the photography for these press photos, one of the photos is really out of focus. The car was stationary, how does one mess up the focus on a stationary object?

Anyway, on to the car. It’s powered by a new 5.0 litre direct-injected normally aspirated V8 engine, which is estimated to produce over 400hp and have twisting action power of more than 475Nm. These figures are estimated because the Lexus IS-F is a future vehicle and specs have not been finalized yet. The engine will be mated Lexus’ 8-speed automatic transmission which will offer manual shifting via paddle shifters, but no pure no-nonsense manual transmission. However, the auto has been tuned for a sporty experience, with throttle blips on downshifts. Being rear wheel drive gives it some saving grace. Wheels are 19″ BBS wheels with 225/40R19 (19×8) tyres at the front, and 255/35R19 (19×9) size for the rear.

Taking into account torque, horsepower and vehicle weight, Lexus estimates the Lexus IS-F at under 4.9 seconds for the 0-100km/h acceleration run. For reeling all 400 horses in, Lexus specced the car with large diameter cross-drilled discs – 14.2 inches at the front and 13.6 inches at the rear, with six piston calipers for the front and twin piston for the rear. Suspension is of a double wishbone design at the front, with multi-link at the rear. Other nifty specs include engine-oil and transmission-fluid coolers, as well as a cylinder head-scavenging oil pump for high G-force driving.

More photos after the jump.

Video: Lexus IS-F


This photo is out of focus, click to enlarge.

isf34.jpg

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • BlueChaos (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 11:53 am

    I don't like it. It doesn't look like a true sports car at all. Better leave Mazda or Nissan to design something better. I'll take a RX-8 or 350Z rather than this any day.

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  • holy_cow (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 12:26 pm

    Those side skirts are so huge you could steal free rides on passing IS-Fs by standing on them. And why does the 'F' logo look like something from the Power Rangers? And what in all the capital Fs is going on with those exhaust pipes? Seriously…it's wrong. Did they even look at the RS4 before designing this thing? And no manual or sequential manual option? What lah. It'll have to be an amazing drive to get over all these initial problems. If not, then better luck next time, Lexus.

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  • maibatsu_thunder (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 2:07 pm

    I want one! Excellent. But for daily use black leather seats would be better.

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  • tHe CuLpRit (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 3:01 pm

    untidy, looks like the MG sportscar, forgot its name…

    man.. this car is so un-Lexus! Lexus shld be about sports+refinement but this is SO unrefined.. n the inside, well i feel its abit too 'normal'

    holy_cow is right, compared to RS4 this one's nowhere! except unless its performance and chassis/handling can actually beat the M3 (the current one!)

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  • normal_user (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 3:52 pm

    I can't believe lexus made its IS flagship looks flimsy. Its like those over-modded and over-dressed-up cars you see on Need for Speed Underground & Fast and Furious. It doesn't look original, the cosmetic change has many flaws, and the way it look makes me think that someone sends his stock IS200 to MTV's Pimp my Ride garage!

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  • BrakeFader (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 4:26 pm

    The back looks ok, but the front view looks a bit overexaggerated as if the car is shouting out loud "Look! I'm an expensive marque performance car!"

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  • kington (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 4:57 pm

    It look to rugged, ok if they were to market as a Toyota but certainly not as a Lexus. Even the M3 or at AMG C class look less rugged than this.

    They should have toned it down.

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  • hameed koyakuti (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 5:31 pm

    Uglier than before……….but the tailpipe is innovative………

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  • drM (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 5:54 pm

    if this is what Toyota or Lexus or anyone in the world called the fierce competitor to M3 or AMG C Class, then forget it.

    I am with you on the after market kits, Paul. It just doesnt seem right.

    Probably, they tried too hard.

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  • dzat46 (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 6:29 pm

    agreed wt u drM, the M3 or AMG C are better styled. Maybe the styling is for the American market (looks like the american muscle car..Mustang..etc). Lexus doing well in the US.

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  • w_lighter (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 6:38 pm

    Only American will buy this….

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  • Goniothalamus (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 10:19 pm

    Overall this IS-F design look-like as Accord's style. But what the hell is the engine? 5.0cc? Gila! Not suitable here.. the 2-3cc engine should be better.

    I'm looking Altezza-F model with smaller engine dispalcement, and the Europe and JDM will suit what universal market want than the mad US, and maybe Austrialia too.

    If i use this, i'll put a massive petrol lorry tank above the roof to fulfill it's petrol need.

    hoho…

    Lexus is for US market, Toyota is for us. Still want the Lexus brand? Buy the emblems and stick on your Altezza model.

    The end.

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  • aesthari (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 11:00 pm

    Not that nice, kinda stuck between wanting to be an elegant car or sporty car, and ending up as none. It looks as if it' some executive car with VIP style kits slapped on. White leather seats contrasting with black interior is nice, but the chrome really has no place in there, would be better if it's all carbon fibre :p

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  • tokmoh (Member) on Jan 31, 2007 at 11:12 pm

    A soul-less car will always remain soul-less. So what if it has flappy paddle nonsense, carbon fibre here and there, innovative exaust positioning, giant cross-drilled discs and etc? It just doesn't feel special, it feels more like it's a nobody desperately trying to be just like every other sports car as well. Oh sure, they can say unlike others, they hv auto only, bt still………there is no sense of belonging to it.

    Lexus knew this wouldn't matter to the Americans, because they're a bunch of car noobs after all.

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  • mystvearn (Member) on Feb 01, 2007 at 3:59 am

    I agree. Its suppose to be top of the line for toyota. This makes it no different than those people out there modding their car to look "fierce" but no power.

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  • ak03 (Member) on Feb 01, 2007 at 4:36 am

    styling wise.. errk.. abit too aftermarket .. but the sound sure is nice to hear..

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  • topgunthang (Member) on Feb 01, 2007 at 6:05 am

    lexus is a toyota. just upmarket branding. lexus is doing well everywhere. cept msia where not many can afford one.

    of course it wont beat the m3 or rs4. but it is a good start. toyota is pretty impressive. doing 3 sports cars at the same time with all of them aiming high targets. with hopefully more focus on the other two especially their so called affordable sportscar (supra replacement) though how affordable remains to be seen.

    manual gears will be phased out slowly. there's no sense to put a manual in a lexus since anybody who wanted a manual wont buy a lexus but rather go for an established brand and those who buy lexus usually opt for a auto. and you also woulndt want an 8 speed manual box. too many gears. bring on the semi automatic padels. with automatic boxes like the ones on the vw gti set to go into mass production, manuals will be reserved as a side option in the purest of sportscars. u can trust toyota has done tons of research into which option is most viable for the model.

    hopefully like the rest of the IS models it will represent very good value for money. and yes, we should get a bigger discount for the too try hard aftermarket look. the blue color is also a bad choice. IS's look superb in black or white.

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  • Mayonaise (Member) on Feb 01, 2007 at 6:29 am

    Damn, it looks butt ugly… Love the engine sound though…

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  • king (Member) on Feb 01, 2007 at 8:33 am

    Looks like one of those souped up proton wiras with a 'fish' faced front. Only one word to describe. FUGLY!

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  • shooter (Member) on Feb 01, 2007 at 9:12 am

    i could deal with the side profile and to an extent the rear, but for the love of God, Lexus, please do something about the front.

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  • protonGL (Member) on Feb 01, 2007 at 10:19 am

    hot air exit is interesting

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  • ingolstadt (Member) on Feb 01, 2007 at 5:49 pm

    no comments, i was shocked by it's choice of name, choice of color, choice of interior, choice of leather, choice of bodykit from the very beginning.

    Tryin to be different? where's the guy who penned the previous IS? (Altezza)

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  • happymeal (Member) on Feb 01, 2007 at 9:32 pm

    doesnt sound like an exciting V8…the usual V8 burble…

    rs4 sounds more glarious :)

    not surprised if someones Vios will end up with these styling theme..especially that front end.. :P

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  • Jiun 88 (Member) on Feb 02, 2007 at 11:29 pm

    IS-F??

    Yeah, no wonder.

    Lexus just F-ed themselves with this IS.

    Sheesh… Any M or AMG or RS will beat this car hands-down.

    =P

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  • chuamike (Member) on Feb 08, 2007 at 1:14 am

    Lovely :D

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