The 2008 Lexus IS-F has a different mission statement than any car ever built by Toyota's notoriously conservative luxury label. Just look at it. It's a car aimed at your stockbroker's BMW M3 and your mortgage broker's Audi RS4. "'F' is everything you thought we weren't," proclaims the intrepid advertising slogan.When we first caught the 2008 Lexus IS-F testing in Death Valley in August 2006, it was anyone's guess what the powertrain would be — Lexus executives dismissed the idea of V8 power, and even hinted at a hybrid version of the outgoing 3.5-liter V6. But by the time we found the car circling the Nürburgring later that year, it was clear power would come from a stroked 5.0-liter version of the GS 460's 4.6-liter V8. At the time, we learned that a coupe would likely follow, along with a high-performance version of the GS sedan.
Less than a month later, the car was officially released at the Detroit Auto Show, where sources at Lexus hinted at a price of $50,000-plus. Turns out "plus" is the operative word, as the 2008 Lexus IS-F we recently tested checked in at $62,540.
But you get what you pay for — if you're a technology geek, anyway. Like an ass-kicking version of Lexus' eight-speed automatic transmission, which includes a lockup torque converter in effect from 2nd to 6th gear, giving shift times of less than a tenth of a second. During our test in October, we said, "...it comes as close to instant shifting as anything we've driven." Automated throttle blips match engine and transmission speeds on downshifts.
You'll get razor-sharp steering response and a suspension that is an inch lower than the two more plebeian versions of the car, the IS 250 and IS 350. That suspension will stick big 19-inch wheels with 225/40R19 and 255/35R19 rubber to the ground. Oh, and you'll probably get pulled over, too. The 2008 Lexus IS-F looks like it was designed by today's finest boy racers.The traction control system has an "Off" button. This is proof positive that Lexus has undone the tie and loosened the corporate collar in building the 2008 IS-F. In addition to "Off," a "Sport" mode affects the steering weight, throttle response and shift points, and allows a bit more freedom before the electronic nannies kick in. There's a default mode ("Normal") and a "Snow" mode, but who cares?
That 5.0-liter V8 makes 416 horsepower at 6,600 rpm, and 371 pound-feet of torque is available as early as 5,200 rpm. That's 2 horsepower more than the BMW M3's 4.0-liter V8, and you're kidding yourself if you think that's a coincidence. Despite the oomph, the Lexus' 4.8-second 0-60 time is only a tenth of a second faster to 60 mph than a BMW 335i automatic — and that car has 114 less horsepower. In a recent Comparison Test with Audi's 420-horsepower RS4, the Audi was faster, ripping off the same sprint in just 4.3 seconds.
Lexus' maiden attempt at the super sedan will hit American showrooms during the first quarter of 2008, but will be available in Japan on Christmas Day. Of course, if you were a Neiman Marcus loyalist on October 18, 2007, you might have had one of the first 50 2008 Lexus IS-Fs sold in the U.S., at $68,000 with special trimmings
