Lexus IS F local pricing announced
October 14, 2008 by George Skentzos
Lexus is set to launch its first dedicated performance model in Australia following the official debut of the IS F at the Australian International Motor Show.
The IS F will enter the local market at a highly competitive $129,000, significantly undercutting its three main rivals from BMW, Mercedes and Audi.
This price represents an aggressive bid by Lexus to establish a strong foot hold in the highly competitive luxury performance market.
“This category is all about passion and brand values. With the IS F we have the brand values – the passion comes with the first drive.”
The Lexus IS F will use a 5.0-litre V8 engine developing over 311kW and 505Nm through an eight-speed Sports Direct Shift (SPDS) gearbox, capable of up-shifts in just 0.1 seconds.
“The IS F will bring a strongly competitive force to the performance sedan market,” said Lexus chief executive John Roca.
Due to arrive in showrooms by late October, the IS F will come fully equipped with the only option being to delete the moonroof.
Lexus also hopes its new hero model will also forge a reputation for its ‘F’ range of performance cars, building its credibility beyond the luxury stereotype as well as stimulating sales of other IS models.
Print it: 
It’s good value that’s for sure.
I’m dying to see this in the flesh..
the pricing is reasonable for what is offered too (IMHO)
bring it on :D
Ah…no moonroof? WHY!?
Mechanicals sound great but the styling is as exciting as a soggy mop.
Don’t think the euros have much to worry about.
No passion in the styling that is for sure!
Exactly what bit is soggy ? its no less soggy than what an ostentacious M3 looks like, or the bland Rs4 or perhaps the very very cheesy Amg.. **
My god it looks like a bloody no frills Toyota!!!!
Mate lets not make this one of those typical flame wars with Toyota vs the world alright…
Go see the reviews for this car and zip it.
Throw a soggy mop head on the floor and you will see the resemblance.LOL.
It may well be a good car but it has a nothing appearance.
A zr6 Aurion has more appeal from a styling perspective than this.
Anyway to each their own.
The thing look horrible; why can’t people say what they think?
if you don’t want to hear people’s opinions, then don’t read them. I agree, looks crap, and from what I’ve read, goes crap, compared to euro rivals. if concerned re value for money, then Falcon turbo seems hard to beat, and if it breaks down, buy another one, and still have some change for some nice cheese
LOL go see the review of this car. Ive already seen some of the reviews, and without seeing the rest i can just pridict it.
Way to much $$$$ for a TOYOTA, they’ve Ruined some of its styling (or whatever styling it had), 8-speed gearbox (way too many gears and too shit & over thought) it doesn’t even let u down shift if its going to be above 4000 rpm.
All this car is good for (as clarkson will say) is braging to ur friends about, ur gearbox, 15 way traction control, 142 suspension settings etc.
If i was going to spend $120 000 +, id rather buy a BMW, Merc, or Audi. Cause in the end those cars are & will always be German.
(BUT THEN AGAIN I LOVE AUSSIE/AMERICAN MUSCLE)
But this Lexus, is & will always just be a RICER.
I really like how the TRD Aurion looks, if only Toyota Australia had the budget to engineer it for AWD, it would go like the clappers.
i havent read many reviews on this, but realcars sums it up in saying no passion in the styling.
no good being a sports car if you dont look like one.
you still cant beat the styling cues of the BMWs.
this just gives rich ex-camry owners something to spend their money on.
Car-Enthusiast – I’m not so sure I can agree with your view of the gearbox as being “too s***”. The last time I checked, most reviewers call the Merc’s (AMG) 7G Tronic sluggish in comparison. Sure 8 gears may be 1 ratio too many, but is that enough to call it s***?
Downshifting @ or above 4000RPM should still happen, it depends on the circumstances, for example if one was rolling, it should happen without a hiccup.
Might I add, i’ve actually got a C63 on order (yes, even Lexus drivers arent afraid to go German) and am happily prepared to point out areas where the competitors are better than the car i’m purchasing.
My view on this price tag?
Probably exactly what Lexus need to boost sales of the F, especially with the economy the way it is. The F has some weird appeal over in the US which i’m wondering whether this trend will carry over here or not (although granted, Lexus is much more established over there than it is here is Aussieland).
Also, the F’s steering wheel (steering feel aside) is a major let down, it’s the same as the regular IS, only perforated. It really needs to be of the thick sort you get from the VW group or that found in the C63 (I can’t really say from AMG, have you seen the truck wheel they fit to the CLK 63 AMG Black Edition?).
Need an edit button, that should read, Black Series.
I thought about what you said actually, Car-Enthusiast. For roughly the same price (actually, probably less) one could get a fully loaded 335i Sedan. Now I think most will agree that this is an incredible piece of machinary, but it’s easy to forget that comparing the 335i to the F is like comparing apples to oranges. Should the IS350 come here, that’s in direct competition with the 335i therefore leaving the F to the likes of the M3. For me the 335i doesn’t have the appeal that any of the 4 big boys give, just the noise from the V8’s alone is enough for me. Not to mention the performance benefits and the horrible fuel economy (haha).
I cannot wait to see these babies burbling around on the streets. i wouldn’t buy one, but very nice indeed.
“This category is all about passion and brand values.” says John Roca, CE Lexus.
Sorry John, Lexus just don\’t have either, in fact they, and you, miss it by a mile.
The SC430 looks like a Daihatsu Copen, and this thing looks like a mid 80\’s Corona.
F = Fail!
Car-Enthusiast – dont put words in Clarkson’s mouth before a review appears because hes very unpredictable – plus he liked the IS250. Actually, this car is getting pretty good reviews. I just want to say the two things that put me off this car are the people who currently buy Lexus cars (old men, middle aged women or rich young men who only get black ones and put oversized chrome wheels on them because they have the misguided delusion that Lexus’ are cool) and the fact that the four exhausts at the back aren’t actually connected – its just a body kit. Plus, given the sorts of people that buy Lexus cars now, I say give it ten years and the “F” line will have an even bigger wanker reputation than the “M” brand has – give it time.
PS – I find it interesting how many people think its ugly considering how many thought the IS was best looking in class a while back when the 3 Series facelift story was up.
Well done to Lexus! I have a friend who owned a E46 M3 with the SMG transmission, that needed to be replaced twice (yes the vehicle was purchased new), also another friend with an Audi S4 who experienced major oil leaks in his car, that had done less than 11000 kilometres! My point being, they were great cars when they actually worked, but very unreliable! If Lexus can bring performance, quality and value for money to the table..I think they are onto a winner! I also bet most of you have not even seen the ISF in the flesh, they actually don’t look too bad at all!
First of all to CAMSKI, ok u think 8 gears is one ratio to many, i say its 2 ratios to many. You’d probably spend more time shifting than driving.
Sure the C63 AMG may have 7. but even that is 1 to many. I mean what is wrong with a 6 speed manual. I personaly dnt like Flippy Flappy Floppy gearboxes, its all just a bunch of bragging bu11 cr@p, to tell ur mates down at the PUB, Make the company some extra $$ (& show that u have the smallest N*B). “OOH look at me i think im Michael Schumacher, with my Fully Sick Flappy paddle gearbox, & if u think Schumacher is cool with 7 gears wait till u see mine, i got 8 yeah baby”.
Just ridiculous
This car was just built to keep those LEXUS c*ck’s happy (sorry for my language but it couldn’t be said or put any other way then that).
Now as for the gearbox not being allowed to downshift, Fifth Gear have tested this car (once on its own, & once against a M3 Sedan). & the first time Tiff tested it he would try downshifting, under braking, or from cruising, aggressivley accelerating and it wouldn’t let him, it would just beep, until he slowed down, changed gear down and then picked up some speed, & then changed gear up again
Kris u want Value for money, Buy a Holden VE SS, Ford FG XR6T or XR8 for $$45 000 (less than 1/3 the price of this Lexus or the Germans) Spend $15 000 on them, and they will easily be quicker than this car.
And are u seriously Suggesting that a BMW, Merc, or Audi is unreliable, even when only done 11000 KM. ur making these German cars sound worse than the OLD Alfa Romeo’s.
To so called car enthusiast.. it’s called moving on with the times, the efficiency rates they are able to maintain with these auto gearboxes exceed than putting in a 6 speed manual. Not everyone likes to be shifting up and down in horrific peak traffic either. Is Lamborghini also trying to be fully sick and make every Lambo driver feel they are Schumaker?
Are you saying any of these euro badged car drivers don’t think they are in some super hektik league because of a badge? If anything the most arrogant waste of human flesh car drivers are Holden and Fords, GRUNT MATE – just that I wish I had a camera on the rear to show how useless all that grunt is when a proper JDM car pulls away.
Also not everyone is looking to get a super sick uleh hektik quick , 10s quarter mile car to go brag about it (coz they suffer from short man or mini prick syndrome).
Anyone can modify a car, its the fact that how it comes genuine and what its able to do in its stock form which is respect worthy.
It’s a first for Lexus to step into the performance category and as a car enthusiast I can appreciate the fact that they have designed something which can take on the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes. Wasn’t too long ago when Lexus was laughed at on the idea of being a high selling luxury brand – and to date the results speak for themselves.
Jdm, I completely agree. In my time in Australia, all I ever get is arrogant idiots in Commodore SSs and HSVs tail gating and thinking that there better because they have a muscle car, (which by the way, in this country, appears to be a family sedan with a big engine and a tacky body kit) and im usually speeding! Flappy Paddle gearboxes are great if you get the right brand Car-Enthusiast. Volkswagen’s one is fantastic as is Ferraris and some other ones. Its not so you can look like Schumacher, its because theres a reason why its in Schumacher’s car. They are fantastic (once again, if you get the right one). With those comments, I dont care what you say, you are obviously proving that you’ve never tried out the DSG gearbox on a Golf GTi or an R32. Id be interested to know what you drive, actually.
Alex, i debate you calling the HSV and FPV bodykits tacky. They suit the SS/XR8 and HSV and FPV models well, i don’t think i’ve seen a ‘tacky’ holden since the VY Clubsport (that was atrocious). If you want the definition of tacky, check out the exhaust tips or front bumper on this lexus.
..Why do we get idiots talking about Holden or Fords…..They are unrealiable and crap. I agree with JDM and Alex. I have lost count when I have let FORD XR6 Turbos and R8 HSV behind me.
For 150k you simply get a Nissan GTR much better than the AudiRS4, BMW M3 or M5 or Lexus ISF.
Better in what regards? Definitely not styling, or interior design.
Its faster.
Well if you are after interior design maybe the Rolls or Maybach may be in order. Styling is definately better than the Audi and Lexus… M3 has better presence but for a whole round package it is very hard to go past the GTR, unless you have 400k to spend.
I’d take this over the 4 door M3.
But I’d prefer the 2 door M3 :D Just have a thing for 2 door cars I guess.
With the 8 speed gearbox, I don’t think its too many, as if you want to drive it hard, 5th gear gets you to 220km/h anyway. The other 3 gears are just to allow for super-economical driving. Not that the target market of these cars care about economy… or maybe they do?
In addition, with gear changes taking only 0.1 seconds I think that makes the argument that you’re spending too much time changing gears pretty redundant.
I agree with the above comments about the inability to change gears in certain situations. I guess Lexus hold reliability more dear than performance.
I’ve seen the comparison between M3 Sedan, CL63 AMG and IS-F done by Best Motoring. Around the track, M3 sedan was first followed by AMG. IS-F was last.
The only reason why you would buy an IS-F is because you can’t afford the others and/or you’re looking for realiability (that IF lexus is actually more reliable).
Otherwise, I would go for the M3 sedan. Mind you, the sedan is only 10kg heavier than the coupe. Same performance, cheaper, 4 doors, wife and (future) kids won’t mind and you can still drift easily with it (on the track of course). :)
The AMG (like Clarkson said) is a murderer with headlights.
Love how these threads always turn into just plain old bitch slapping comments.
Personally it’s probably a good car, but I reckon IS lost it’s styling in the change from 200 to 250…………250 (imho) looks like the clay model was left out in the rain and it got droopy. This rendition, with it’s bulbose bonnet, really accentuates that look.
And about the gears, if you’re racing, you won’t pass 5th gear. That’s why 6 gears is enough, the 6th being high ratio for economical driving.
I don’t see the point of having 7th let alone 8th gear.
Oh wait, maybe if you drive through the autobahn daily for work….
I have to question as to how many people have actually seen this car in the flesh with all of the expert opinions here. I saw it at the Melbourne motorshow earlier this year and think it looks really good. Just a case of Toyota bashing as I see it. I appreciate styling is down to individual tastes and to me all BMW’s nowadays look awful and the Merc looks pretty boring. (And aren’t Mercedes well known for having youthful customers??)
I have seen the Fifth Gear on youtube as well and when he was trying to downchange, wasn’t he trying to buzz it beyond the limiter when he did it?
I think the ISF is a great firsty effort, but probably needs to a bit lighter to compete with the other cars.
With you again FRONTMAN. A bit sad about the cliche’s..
8 speeder gbox not a problem, can skip 4 or 5 gears at once…
OS reviews love this car. apparently THE best sounding car on the market under 200k. Nice. Plus no greedy options list as per BMW Merc et all. really ‘car fans’ whats not to like?
Looks like an sv21 Camry!!!Thats what!
Yes my bad, they both have black tyres, a windscreen and headlights..
It’s obvious when you look..
We could make something better here for half the price. The germans have a rich heritage – something the japs will never have. Expect these to be make mostly in china in the next few years as the greedy corporates maximize profits.
Read the October motor mag review. It’s a piece of junk; a pretend performance vehicle. Heck, even the rear tailpipes are fake. Toyota should stick to what they do best – making mostly reliable, mostly boring, inoffensive “human transport devices” for the uncaring masses.
Fake tail pipe pretty much sums it up.
Not worth three Aurions.
Stock Aurion looks better.
Stevo the Devo Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
“We could make something better here for half the price. The germans have a rich heritage – something the japs will never have. Expect these to be make mostly in china in the next few years as the greedy corporates maximize profits.”
We already made the W427, which is overpriced compared to others in the price bracket. And it’s $155K. How could you make something better? And let’s see how quick the “exclusivity” factor lasts in a few years when HSV drops the LS9 in a Senator…
lol, i have seem to go off this site for one day(unlike some ppl, who can’t get off this site) and its almost like WW3 happened here. Im not gona bother changing some ppl’s minds, or arguing against. Cause ur personal opinion is ur personal opinion, and thats what makes us all different.
Now just a quick word about the W427, i have said this about half a million times, to little idiots, that dnt understand what some cars are all about.
Now sure $$155K for a W427 might be a fair bit overboard, but thats not the point. You see where as their are probably going to be thousands of Nissan GTR’s, BMW M3’s, AMG’s, Audi R(classes), etc etc built & Future model’s to come. Their will most likely be a maximum of 427, HSV W427’s.
And most of the W427, (Just like the VL Walkinshaw, FORD GTHO)etc. etc, will be bought as Investments.
Now possibly about 10 (or more) yrs down the road, where the current M3’s, AMG’s, Audi’s, & GTR’s & Lexus ISF will be worth $$ Toyota Camry $$ Money, or even $$ Hyundai Excel $$ money, the W427, just like the rest of the Aussie Classic’s, will probably double in value or at least be worth $$ 220 K + .
Now if u do want a Bang for ur Bucks (cheapish) Holden/HSV, than can develop even more KW than the W427. Go buy a Holden VE SS, OR HSV E-series R8/GTS, go to CSV Australia (CORSA SPECIALIZED VEHICLES) get them to put the ORIGINAL LS7 from the corvette z06 (Which develops more power then the one in the W427) about 400 kw.
Get the LS7 fitted into ur SS/Clubbie for about $20 K (with clutch and a few other things). and their u go, u will have a car thats about as quick, IF not quicker than a W427 for about half the Price. And then their might be even more ppl B*tching and complaining out of Jealousy.
And thats, that. THE HSV W427, is what most ppl will call a MODERN CLASSIC.
this is one awesome bit of gear if you read all the reveiws its 50/50 as to weather or not its a m3 beater in the looks department it shits all over the ugly bmw 3 series range and in my books if i had the money i would buy this over a bmw or benz any day!
Yeah Car-Enthusiast, that makes alot of sense the W427 going up in value (insert sarcasm). For one thing 427 or not, Holdens almost always lose value and for another thing, its not gonna be worth much when were all out of oil is it? And there’s possibility that we might not have access to oil (not for cars anyway) in ten years the way things are going.
Alex, lol. just because theirs about 5 million commodores around, (or close to that number) and their value isn’t pretty high. Well thats because their is too much of them. That doesn’t mean that a HSV w427 limited to 427 units is gona loose value. & since ur so smart, jump onto a carsales website (carsales.com.au or uniquecarsales.com.au) and search for a Holden VL SS Group A, VL Walkinshaw, Holden HK Monaro & then come back and tell me they loose value. LOL u’d think that some ppl that comment on this site might have a slight clue about what they are saying.
& as for ur precious oil, trust me the amount of oil in Iraq is well underestimated, and if it does finish Quickly, & World War 3 starts shortly after, well then we can all thank america, for F*king this world up for us, & not to mention america still has a fair bit of oil.
And not to worry finnaly when oil does run out in about 50 yrs or a century, if we r still around by then (at the rate everyting is happening at). then ur gona have to worry about paying taxes for walking to work or riding a bike to work. & geez won’t that be fun, or u might not know cause u might not even be old enough to work yet.