IS F has M and AMG in sights

What started as a 'black' project under the wing of chief engineer, Yukihiko Yaguchi, is now a fully-fledged Lexus production model and heading Down Under, gunning for the likes of BMW's M3 and Mercedes AMG's C63.

Officially on sale in Australia from November, the new Lexus IS F is the Toyota-affiliated luxury brand's first dedicated performance car. In fact, until the LF-A supercar is confirmed for production -- still not a given -- the F version of the IS medium prestige sedan is Lexus' only performance segment competitor.

The Carsales Network was among a small group of Australian media to drive the new super saloon yesterday in Japan at the Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway, in the shadow of the mountain that shares its name. In addition to providing the venue for the vehicle's preview drive, Lexus says the track in part inspired the IS F's creation... Even the F's distinctive badge takes its shape from the circuit's straight and Turn One.

And we can tell you that while the IS F is not a car in the same mold as the BMW M car, or indeed the AMG, the IS F is nonetheless an impressive piece of kit.

The IS F is powered by a modified version of the direct-injected 5.0-litre petrol V8 that powers Lexus' LS600hL flagship. With bespoke Yamaha-developed cylinder-heads and unique exhaust and intake systems, the engine pumps out a claimed 311kW at 6600pm and 505Nm at 5200. The engine is redlined at 6800rpm.

The fastest roadgoing Lexus yet, the company claims the IS F can sprint from 0-100km/h in less than five seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 270km/h. Claimed fuel consumption is 11.4L/100km.

But straightline pace is just half the story. Boasting the most serious chassis package to grace a Lexus production car yet, the car rides on 19-inch rims with asymmetric low-profile Bridgestone Potenza rubber.

Up front there are six-piston Brembo monobloc calipers and substantial 360mm x 30mm drilled and ventilated discs. The rear brakes are Brembo too. The IS F also gets a unique suspension package with (in comparison to IS F) stiffer springs and roll bars, and uprated, larger diameter dampers -- monotube, of course. The differential is sourced from the LS 600 but gets a cooling upgrade and features brake-actuated limited slip. The final drive ratio is unchanged, however, at 2.93:1.

Lexus has reprogrammed its eight-speed autobox for the IS F. Though the gearbox mechanicals (including ratios) are carried (from the LS donor model), the paddle-shift-equipped Sports Direct Shift transmission features a manual mode that triggers torque converter lock-up on second through eight gears and shifts in less than 0.1sec. And yes, there's a healthy throttle blip on every downchange.

Lexus has created a bespoke Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system for the car. The system features Normal, Sport and Snow modes. The Sport mode also triggers changes to the electric power steering and throttle/engine characteristics and shift points for the autobox. As you'd expect in a car of this type it can be completely disabled for extreme use.

Though pricing is still to be determined (see separate story here, and below), Lexus has finalised the Australian specification for the car.

Options will be very limited -- in fact, a sunroof only (even metallic paint is standard!) -- most everything else the carmaker can throw at the IS platform is on the list. The kit includes the regular goodies such as climate-control air, high-end Mark Levinson stereo and integrated satnav, etc, plus added features such as millimetre-wave radar Active Cruise Control.

Overall, the interior has been considerably upgraded from the cooking model IS and the prototype IS Fs displayed at motor shows (including last year's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney). Like the upcoming M3 sedan, the IS F has seating for four only. The rear seat is trimmed and bolstered to match the front seats.

The seats, steering wheel, front guards and engine cover all sport the 'F' logo. The front sports seats get electric adjustment, heating and look classy with perforated leather facings. The aforementioned F logos are, however, mercifully understated on the seat cushion sides -- not plastered all over the headrests like some boy-racer brands.

The seats, door facings and selected other surfaces within the IS F get twin needle stitching in Lexus blue.

Three colour schemes are offered, matched to the six external paint colours. The Pearl White Australian spec car on hand for the launch featured a black and white combination that looked better than it sounds. Black on Black and Terracotta are the alternatives.

The safety suite is comparable with top-line saloons, featuring eight SRS airbags (front and front passenger knee airbags, dual-stage front airbags, seat-mounted driver and front-passenger side airbags and full-length side curtains). As noted above, the VDIM is switchable, though Lexus' rules at Fuji required us to keep the system engaged at all times.

Though the IS F has been pitched directly at the M3 and C63 by the international media (and to a degree Lexus itself), in reality, it is a different style of performance car. It may be the most trackworthy and fastest series production car Lexus has built yet, but it is not as track sharp as the BMW, nor as explosively rapid in a straight line as the C63.

Part of the reason is the moon-shot gearing the car carries -- straight from the LS 600hL. Theoretically, the car is geared for in excess of 480km/h! Even in sixth gear 300km/h would be possible were it not for the intervention of electronics. (Down Fuji's long front straight, the car would top 240km/h, so chief engineer Yaguchi's development testing top speed claim of over 290km/h seems realistic.)

The other issue is the engine which, despite its 300kW-plus output, is in a relatively modest state of tune. Its specific power output is only marginally ahead of the LS460, for example (and torque lags significantly behind)... At least this means there's plenty of room to move for power upgrades. This conservative approach is typical of Lexus but could disappoint some potential customers, alas.

On the track the IS F proved capable and forgiving and could be hustled with real élan. Like the best cars it flatters its driver's abilities.

Steering was well weighted in Sport mode, consistent and fulsome in feel. That said, turn-in was not as sharp as the M3 Coupe -- still our favourite car of this genre (and there's no reason to believe the M3 sedan will be any less accomplished). On the limit the car is quite 'tunable' though it must be said that limit appears incrementally lower than its German counterparts.

Indeed, the IS F's Bridgestone Potenza RE 050A rubber proved to be the safety valve for the car -- grip levels from the co-developed tyres were good but not mega, meaning the rather soft (in track terms) suspension was not pushed too far beyond its comfort zone.

Keen drivers will look for better rubber and a VDIM setting that allows more latitude and entails less powertrain intervention than the current Sport setting.

Lexus Australia is still to confirm its final choice of tyre (some markets get Michelin Pilot Sports) but any changes to the VDIM will need to wait for the next version... Or perhaps, chief engineer Yaguchi's next pet project -- a 'R' version of the IS F.

Our test drive was limited to laps of Fuji Speedway, so we can't comment directly on the car's on-road habits. Seat-of-the-pants impression puts the car on the comfortable side of the relatively hard riding C63 which should augur well for Aussie buyers.

The linear power delivery of the 5.0-litre V8 will likely feel quicker on the road than on Fuji's wide open spaces. But it won't match the kick of the Benz, nor the top-end rush of the Beemer.

If it sounds like we were a touch underwhelmed by the IS F, you're mistaken. That's not the case. The car is not a M3 replacement or even challenger (despite what you might read elsewhere), it is, however, very much a performance package in the Lexus mold -- refined, beautifully finished and undoubtedly faster than most owners will ever need.

Further, Lexus will seek to offset any performance shortfall the IS F may have (perceived or otherwise) by introducing a new level of service into the performance segment.

According to Lexus Australia boss, John Roca, the brand will extend its Encore customer service program to IS F and appoint IS F specific master technicians at its 22 Australian dealerships. The service departments of those dealerships will also get IS F specific bays and offer IS F focussed services such as pre-drive/track day checks and the like.

Roca says driver training and specific IS F road and track events are also on the cards.

In the wash up, the measure of the success of the IS F will likely not be how many sales it steals from the M3 or AMG, but rather how many converts it wins for the Lexus brand. There is a difference...

For a brand that has been big on refinement and technology, but lacked overt passion in its products, the IS F is a step change.

Lexus Australia nonetheless has a product planning/pricing dilemma in front of it. Come November, the carmaker may have to launch a new performance brand that is asking a price premium -- and over a car with 25kW and 125Nm more and an AMG badge on the butt! If nothing else that will test the value of customer service...

Look for our full launch review of the Lexus IS F at the Carsales Network soon.

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