Lexus IS-F: 1st Generation News & Information

For 2010, the Lexus IS-F gained a Torsen Limited Slip Differential (LSD), and EVO magazine has put the revised model to a road test.  The Torsen LSD helped shave 2 seconds off the IS-F’s track times at Fuji Speedway, and on UK roads, EVO seemed impressed with the results.  Here’s how they described it:

In a word, even better. The electronic diff in the previous IS-F was just a part of its stability system, braking a spinning inside wheel, but not doing much to help traction. You’d come out of a corner and sense the car holding back slightly, before snapping straight as the brake released and firing forwards down the next straight, 5.0-litre V8 snarling away. It was a neat party trick in its own right and we loved the way it drove, but it didn’t flow nearly as well as this version.

What strikes you first is not only how much earlier you can get on the power, but how much harder. The rear end stays faithful for a long time and when the lateral forces do finally overcome the diff’s tenacious hold, the IS-F slides very progressively. OK, if you give it a bootful in second gear you’ll need to be quick with the lock, but on a cross-country strop it feels playful and well balanced, feeding the power in smoothly and consistently.

The latest IS-F continues to receive an enthusiastic response, with EVO awarding it their full five-star rating.  The Torsen LSD on the new IS-F replaces the previous electric LSD function, which was part of the car’s Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) stability control system. Reviewer Ollie Marriage hopes that the new IS-F will find favorable buyer reception in a “post Lexus LFA world”, and adds that it compares well with its BMW and Mercedes-Benz rivals.  Also of note, like other Lexus Europe models, the navigation no longer has a motion lockout. 

[Source: EVO]

Car Magazine has just wrapped up its Four Seasons review of the Lexus IS-F, and like most of these long-term test drives, it’s interesting to see what the year brings (although it does sound like the author and the IS F fit together like a square peg in a round hole).

Read this review

Wednesday’s Lexus F-Sport Event at the Homestead-Miami Speedway has come and gone, but some of those lucky enough to attend have published their photos & videos from the track, including some beautiful LFA shots from Eric Ho:

Be sure to check out his full gallery on Flickr—some very nice 1SC & 2GS photos from the event as well.

Also covering the event was Motoring Exposure, who not only posted a massive amount of photos on their site, but also filmed the IS F & the LFA powering down the speedway:

Even after all the videos I’ve seen of the LFA, I still get chills watching it scream through a track. What a beautiful day to have an event.

Marking the end of a two year rumor, Lexus has debuted the IS F Circuit Club Sports (CCS) concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon—a lightweight IS F with loads of carbon fiber, including the roof, hood, trunk, ground effects—just look at this wild rear wing:

Along with the carbon fiber weight savings and a new exhaust system that bumps output up 12 horsepower to a total of 428hp, the IS F CCS concept is meant for the track, and is likely the source behind all the IS F Evolution rumors that have been going on for some time. No word on whether the CCS will ever see production, or if the carbon fiber body parts and new exhaust system will be available as accessories.

[Source: Le Blog Auto]

Another day, another virtual lap—only this time it’s the esteemed Gran Turismo creator, Kazunori Yamauchi, driving a race-modifed Lexus IS F in the 8th round of the VLN series at Nürburgring:

Back in August, Mr. Yamauchi and a team of two others (Motor Journalist Peter Lyon and racing driver Hideshi Matsuda—all three judges for the World Car of the Year Awards) competed and won the SP8 (close-to-production) class in this four-hour race. The IS-F was the same car that was used at this year’s 24 hour Nürburgring race.

What’s even more impressive is that this was Mr. Yamauchi’s first international race and his first racing car—though from the sounds of it, the 1000 virtual Gran Turismo laps certainly helped:

On the reason for competing in the event, Mr. Yamauchi stated that “I wanted to confirm just how effective the experience in the virtual world is, by competing in a race on the Nurburgring. And that includes not just the driving aspects, but on a wider range of things including the building of the car, communication, and much more. And of course, this will all be fed back into future renditions of Gran Turismo.”

Very interesting story, the official Gran Turismo site has the all the details along with some photos, including this shot of the car exterior:

[Source: Gran Turismo Website]

Motor Trend has just turned in the results of their year-long Lexus IS F road test—doesn’t sound like the car was well-liked:

Naturally, our discerning staff found plenty to criticize about the IS F, notably high-performance Brembos that all too often emitted high-pitched squeaks (dealers either could not replicate the noise or told us it was a byproduct of the high-friction pads), a transmission with too many gears (“While its nice to see the revs under 2000 rpm at 70 mph and the accompanying fuel economy, downshifting to pass becomes a chore—to get to the real power, you have to drop four gears.”), and a stiff ride most deemed too firm and borderline harsh.

There’s not much else to the review, just these complaints and some 0-60 times—to think that’s all the entire Motor Trend staff got out of the IS F. Must be all those Michigan potholes. 

[Source: Motor Trend]