Lexus IS F: Details (JA)

Lexus IS F

By Frank de Leeuw van Weenen
October 9, 2007 2:39 PM
Filed Under: Japanese, Lexus

Sales start 25 December

In order to drive the new IS F by New Years Eve in the States you will have to buy your car through Neiman Marcus, but in Japan you can just stroll down to a Lexus dealership to pick up your 423 hp sports car. The new Lexus IS-F will go on sale 25 December with a starting price of yen 7,660,000 (EURO 46,286 or USD 65,268).

Lexus is aiming to inject 'the joy of driving' into the premium sports car, something which many enthusiasts claim the Japanese manufacturers lack (and even Toyota themselves seems to think so). The IS F is based on the IS series and comes with a new engine and transmission, an exclusive suspension and special aluminium wheels. The F refers to the Fuji Speedway on which Lexus has been extensively testing the car. The transmission is an 8-Speed Sport Direct Shift transmission which can be operated either as an automatic or clutchless manual, a world first for an 8-speed transmission.

The 5,0 liter V8 (model 2UR-GSE) engine (a D-4S direct injection four-stroke gasoline engine, superior version, that combines both port and direct fuel injection) produces 311 kW / 423 hp at 6,600 rpm with 505 Nm of torque at 5,200 rpm. Lexus is looking to sell 40 units per month in Japan.

Source: Toyota Motor Corporation

Press Release (Click to expand)

Lexus Launches 'IS F' in Japan

Lexus announced today that it will begin sales in Japan, starting on December 25, of the "IS F"*. The IS F is a Lexus "F" premium sports car based on the concept of proposing a new level of performance for Lexus through a refinement of basic performance with the addition of new cruising technology.  The vehicle was developed to pursue, to the fullest extent possible, the "joy of driving" — which is one of the fundamental appeals of the automobile — by responding reliably and performing as intended.

Based on the IS series, the IS F boasts a completely new engine and transmission, an exclusive suspension and specially selected aluminum wheels and tires.  The vehicle was tested extensively on race circuits in Japan and overseas, including Fuji Speedway, in order to demonstrate its full potential.  Detailed attention to the responsiveness of the acceleration, gear shifting, steering and brakes, as well as to the actual experience of quality (such as engine sound and the sensation of acceleration), has created a new type of driving pleasure — not just for the driver but for passengers as well — thus expressing the emotional appeal of the Lexus brand.

Engine Specifications

Model 2UR-GSE
Type V8 DOHC
Displacement [cc] 4,968
Bore x stroke [mm] 94.0 x 89.5
Fuel supply system D-4S (direct fuel injection + port fuel injection)
Fuel type Premium unleaded gasoline
Compression ratio 11.8:1
Maximum output [kW (PS) / rpm] 311 (423) / 6,600
Maximum torque [N-m (kg-m) / rpm] 505 (51.5) / 5,200
Exhaust emissions levels compared to the Japanese 2005 standards*1 75% lower
Fuel efficiency in the 10-15 Japanese test cycle*2 [km/l] 8.2

*1. Specified under the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's (MLIT) Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles
*2. Outlined by MLIT

Monthly Sales Target: 40 units
Assembly Plant : Tahara Plant, Toyota Motor Corporation

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (Prices in Hokkaido differ; unit: yen)

Model Engine Powertrain Transmission Price (including
consumption tax)#
IS F 2UR-GSE
5.0-liter V8
Front-engine,
rear-wheel drive
8-Speed
Sport Direct Shift
7,660,000

* Based on the idea of creating a vehicle that can run on various types of roads, the vehicle was extensively tested on race circuits, including Higashifuji Technical Center and Fuji Speedway.  The "F" in the IS F name comes from the "F" in "Fuji Speedway".
# Excluding recycling fees

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Comments

silversedanman
October 9, 2007 2:50 PM
m3 seeks and detroys this

Rolli
October 9, 2007 5:58 PM
"Lexus", how stupid can are people buying this? And what means the "(JA)"? Nein?!

autoque
October 9, 2007 9:27 PM
Bland styling. And this applies to every model in Lexus.

AirBox
October 10, 2007 3:41 AM
hey Rolli if you don't know the meaning of JA you'r more stupid than lexus buyers..:P Did you ever read the article? "JA" means Japan..sometimes they say JDM and for the u.s. models they say USDM..

AirBox
October 10, 2007 3:46 AM
By the way, of course M3!

Aesthetics
October 10, 2007 6:22 AM
5 liter/8 speed box, this car is going to be really heavy it won't compare itself to the M3. Prefer th eoriginal styling, the skirts look really bad

silversedanman
October 10, 2007 2:28 PM
The rs4, c63, and m3 all terminate this monstrosity on a track, visually, technically, and of course the quality of German cars is better than the Japanese. The copy-cats can never win.

Rolli
October 10, 2007 3:43 PM
thank you airbox, stupid comment from me!

carcrazy1234
October 11, 2007 3:05 AM
this is a really nice car i don't know what you guys are on seriously lol

Enigma
October 13, 2007 10:58 PM
Iam curious how good it will handle, because Lexus is rather aspirated to be luxurios and smooth to drive than knife-sharp handling. If it is really that good, it will take sales away from its German competitors. However, the interior seems to be A LOT better, than what you get from Benz and BMW these days.

cheelong
October 21, 2007 9:06 PM
If you are such strong German car fans and ''always use to German cars'' you guys become so jealous and make up some BS excuses just because of this so called ''Japanese-Lexus'' always happen to do better than any other luxury makes. And don't even think about that is just a Toyota! Lexus and Toyota company has recently became a 'complete separate major company' now :P screw you German fans. M3 you do have pretty awesome performance and an ugly face but unfortunatley you are gonna be killed by an elegant IS-F as soon as it goes on sale :( good luck German fans you do need it. hehe ^_^

cheelong
October 21, 2007 9:12 PM
by the way... if you German really thinks Lexus is so called 'copy cats' you better think again!

robberse
October 26, 2007 7:41 PM
hahaha , real car fans here. best car brand in the world at this moment is toyota/lexus . And if german cars ar ssssoooo good why do they use japanese parts.The best sold car in the world is a toyota . and toyota/lexus is one of the safest car brand and doesnt break down .so finaly if you want a good car you buy a toyota/lexus , if you want a car with looks buy an italian car . german cars stink

bustabloodklaart
June 23, 2008 4:36 PM
German cars with Japanese parts.....!!!? I'll have a pint of whatever you're drinking Ma Man. Lexus are the worlds 'best brand' in only two places I'm afraid 1, the US and 2,Lexus own minds. They gave me the new LS600 hl last week probably the most pointless car ever built 14mpg in London traffic has no boot also the most underbraked (to a dangerous level)car I've driven in recent times. No I'm sorry guy' my E66 *hits all over lexus in every respect.

hescian
November 6, 2007 8:16 PM
It really is a ashame, because to be fair, this car had potential. I've never been a big fan of lexus, but I was intrigued by the idea. Although the engine performance numbers are in the right place, 8 speeds is a waste of time and money, and the bodywork looks like cheap aftermarket add-odds. It's like they really rushed it to get it out there. C63 all the way!

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