Lexus IS-F Evolution to be launched

By Matt Brogan | May 04th, 2009

Lexus is set to go one better with it’s range topping IS-F with rumours, and one very scratchy picture, from Japan this morning telling us an ultra light weight ‘Evolution’ model is being planned to compete more seriously with BMW’s M3.

As CarAdvice found out a few months back, the BMW M3 versus Lexus IS-F battle is quite a fair one, but with the M3 still winning favour as the more complete road racer. The IS-F Evolution could change all that – forever.

Likely to debut at October’s Tokyo Motor Show, and arrive mid-2010, the IS-F Evolution will weigh 100kg less than the current IS-F with the majority of weight savings coming from the extensive use of carbon fibre panel work.

The same 311kW 5.0-litre V8 powerplant will again be featured though with a minor increase in power and ceramic stoppers will be included as standard.

Perhaps sadly for enthusiasts down under however production will be limited to 500 examples worldwide.

We’ll be certain to bring you any updates as they become available.

Lukaas

Its like the “v-spec” upgrade for Lexus.

I dunno, the IS-F is “close” to M3 already and the price point it can be justified quiet easily. Basically its a wash if you account pricing… M3 obviously “more trusted” in that genre as it has been generations… Lexus IS-F was their first attempt at a performance luxury… (no… Toyota past sports cars dont count, different demographic)

This “Evolution” will most likely be limited in colour, its practically an IS-F with carbon/epoxy panels….bonnet, luggage, roof??… carbon/epoxy parts are weak to “impact” forces and hence not ideal for regulatiosn these days… not too sure, but it’ll affect re-enforcement structures and get it re-certified.. which is a ball breaker procedure…
Bavarian Missile (.)(.)

Quote “Perhaps sadly for enthusiasts down under however production will be limited to 500 examples worldwide”

mmmmmmmm well as they currently only make about 40 a month of the ISF 500 is hardly a small number .

Good luck having another attempt at the M3 though putting it on a diet may help but the M3 is more than just power to weight ,it represents 20 years of being at the top of the food chain in its class in a well sorted package

After looking at BT92 the last couple of day and 10 only being made this looks like a pussy’s car
S

I’m not sure how true these rumors are. This particular one has been around for a couple of weeks.

If it does make production, it will all depend on the price. If it can compete on price with the M3 it will have a great shot at beating the BMW. But if it is considerably more expensive, then forget about it.
Alien

trust that BM would have to post in her usual high school kiddie manner and start with her dribble.

go wash the dishes or something ..
Lukaas

BM.. the BT92… is pretty much an M3 in steroids..

The “Evolution” is an IS-F on a diet…

And I’ll drive this car any day… call me a pussy all you want…
Yanzo

well they better put the max torque at lower rpm this time. and make manual an option…
HAL

Alien, totally uncalled for comment mate. BM is as equally entitled to her opinion as anyone else here – just because you feel threatened by a female who probably knows more about cars than you do doesn’t mean the rest of us are. Why don’t you go back to your front porch rocking chair with all the other rednecks and whittle yourself another piece of ‘fine’ art.
Bavarian Missile

hahaha thanks for the reply Hal on my behalf ,Alien got nothing to say on the topic then let the adults have the thread space .

Lukaas ,Meow…………..nah just joking. I said myself this is nothing but a ISF on a diet and realise that the BT92 has been tuned ,anyone doing after aftermarket tuning on the ISF to improve its looks and performance you know of ?

So you wouldnt drive the BT92 Lukaas?

Yanzo agreed!
Alien

quote ” After looking at BT92 the last couple of day and 10 only being made this looks like a pussy’s car ”

looks up meaning of adult:

Definition: Having arrived at maturity,,

hmmm

you want to talk on topic BM, talk about this car – all I ever read is , bmw 20 years of this, no car can get upto it , no car will beat it etc etc…

yeh very Adult like right – well done.

I will leave you adults to this mature discussion indeed.
Bavarian Missile (.)(.)

hahaha Alien seems you do have a problem with me making a comment as Hal says .

On topic sorry, I seem to recall the words BMW in this thread .

Oh and I can see through your disguise too Alien ,nothing Alien about you what so ever ,like playing ping pong with you from thread to thread ,Im sure you know what that is dont you – -

Now you want to make a comment on the cars ?
Predator vs Alien

And what do you think telling BM to “go and wash the dishes” makes you look like, Alien? Don’t worry about going to look it up mate, here it is for you – “immature loser”.
Alien

do you both feel very accomplished now? no really do you ?

well thats good

there really isn’t any point for me to go further, because the fact remains that BM will go on to say the usual stuff she does and then anyone who says otherwise has to put up with the whole ‘oh you can’t say that to her, etc etc’

no really – just carry on – you’re right bm , how dare some company even try to take on BMW, blasphemy…
HAL

Alien, you still don’t get it. Absolutely no problem whatsoever with engaging in discussion and debating opinions, but it needs to be done without the derogatory insults like the one you started this little exchange with. If you had’ve kept it respectful, then a good discussion could have been had. When someone took you to task over your very poor taste comment, you obviously became embarrassed, but still weren’t man enough to apologise. So you’re the one with the problem dude.
Bavarian Missile (.)(.)

hahaha thats “Cougar verses Alien” babe………

Alien never on this site have I needed protection by my friends ,Ive always been able to go head to head in an argument with the 20 odd years of car knowledge that Ive consumed {burp,excuse me} .If people wish to support me its most likely {as it is here} the other is making a fool of themselves .

Get all cut Alien why dont you ,never said Lexus couldnt have a go at TRYING to meet the M3 standard did I ? Some one always has to be the benchmark now dont they ! 20 years of Lexus making cars it had to start sooner or later

Now can you stop insulting me and talk about the Lexus that you obviously admire ?

Ping pong again!
Lukaas

BM

I would definitely drive the BT92… In fact I’d have the “usual” M3 and be happy for a very very long time.

The BT92 is basically, too much for me. Sure it adds power, cranks up those fenders to fit massive fat wheels… which I love. But too much… M3 supposed to be elegant beast… not a dragon slayer if you catch my drift.. If I want a pure muscle car, i’d most likely look at the americans and throw in a massive V10, heck even go old school and tune those bad-boys.

I was just commenting that if driving an IS-F makes a person a pussy… then sign me up. Their spectacular cars… just like the M3.
SteveH

Why oh why can’t they put a manual transmission in these things? All of the performance cars nowadays seem to either have a conventional auto or a twin clutch gearbox. Neither of these are the same as a manual no matter what they say.

They have probably dropped the weight back to where it probably should have been in the first place. Should make it an interesting car now.

I have seen an American company that made a one off kit for this. Looked absolutely terrible.
Bavarian Missile (.)(.)

SteveH couldnt agree more,”real performance cars have clutches” always been my moto !

I dont care what anyone says ,autos dont feel as much fun as down changing with a knob in your hand

I get where your coming from Lukaas , as much of a speed freak I am I admire the tuners but sneaking up on the unsuspecting as a sheep in wolves clothing is a hoot !
Miniskip

As far as i am aware BMW doesn’t have [or need] any superfluous features such as the Fake double decker exhaust tips [what a w@nk] to make the M3 look or go any faster

Even if the Evolution manages to lose the gap to the M3 [which I doubt] BMW will simply up the ante again and extract even more power out of their 4.0 Litre V8… either that or they will move the goal posts like Toyota did with the Aurion
Wheelnut

The difference is that despite the enhancements the IS-F is still IS-250 sedan..in the same way the W427 is still a Calais.. whereas The M3 is specifically designed and built to be a Performance Sports Car from the Outset

It’s interesting to note that they’ve had 20 years to come up with a Fritz-Fryer and this is their second attempt to try and beat the M3 with in 6-12 months..
Car Lover

i am a fan of lexus, make no doubt about that, their interiors kick the crap outta most euro cars, including merc/bmw/audi…

i myself have have considered seriously buying a high performance coupe/sedan in the last few months weighing up the pros and cons of each..

here are my 2 cents…

M3 is king and shits over all the other cars in terms for handling ( except for possibly AWD ) BUT interior leaves alot to be desired….

RS series is a waste of money, at the price that i\’m paying for those.. get the M3 its not much more…. and come on R8? great car, totally impractical…

c63/AMG badged cars over priced for most of them, cept for the c63, pity their handling is no where close to BMWs

IS F is an interesting car, best interior of the lot, good attempt by lexus, false quad tail pipes stupid i must say, but.. its a good attempt to close in on the M3..

Skyline: u cannot compare this car to any of the euro performance cars, this car is in a league unto its own… the only down side.. would i really pay that much for a jap car… it really boils down to the individuals choice…

in the end i decided to wait it out and see if they will release another spec for the skyline in australia.. =)

As for auto vs manual: on the run a good auto box with modern dsg will shit over manual, starting start the manual will have an edge although this is REALLLY skill dependent on ur shift timing and speed… unfortunately the way things are going, autos are the go these days..

until then i will just have to keep driving my Liberty STi =)
SteveH

Thats not bad, only 18 posts before the inevitable Toyota mention.

Wheelnut, saying that the IS F is just an IS 250 is a bit rich don’t you think? I am sure that the M3 shares something with the three series BMW’s, but its obvious it is a different car. Also saying that they have brought out a second version within 12 months is a bit like saying previous GTR’s have failed because they bring out V-Spec versions or one of the previous M3′s failed because they brought out the CSL (I think thats what it was called) version.

As for the auto vs manual debate, I have no doubt that a DSG gearbox would be quicker, but driving a manual is so much more involving and relies on a lot more skill from the driver. I personally find manuals a lot more exciting to drive which is why I think they are perfectly suited to this sort of car
Eddie

Weight was a bugbear in the ISF but the main issue is the gearbox.
Camski

Eddie – I beg to differ. As an auto it’s probably one of the best ‘boxes money can buy. There’s many reviews that favour it over the C63′s 7-Speed and M3′s M-DCT ‘box. One video actually showed quite clearly how slow and unresponsive the C63′s gearbox is in comparison to the F’s by having enough time to press the paddle and say “nothing” in German before the C63′s next cog engaged.

Although i’m guessing you were more interested in a manual option =D

Car Lover – I took out an ’08 Libery GT Spec.B out and was quite impressed expect for the gearbox (granted it was the auto). I just thought i’d point out though that it isn’t Liberty STi, but Liberty GT Spec.B Tuned by STi or for short, Liberty GTB STi.

CarAdvice – IS F. No hyphen.

M-3. RS-4. C-63…..
rbb

the isf was released in america nearly 12 months before australia so it has now been around for going on 18-20 months!saying the isf is only a is250 is uter crap, well the m3 is only a 3 series “same thing”. the isf is a heavy car at 1800 kgs it’s some 120kgs heavier than the m3 and you can tell the isf feels solid as does the amg63 both are very solid cars, the m3 feels cheap compared with the above 2! when i drove all 3 i chose the isf over the m3 because in my eyes it was by far the best bang for my buck and unless your michael schummacher no one would ever say the m3 handles better than the lexus or merc,who is ever going to drive any one of these 3 weapons to there limits! they all are very close in the handling department with the m3 by a whisker,in performance the isf and the amg63 are better in straight out accelaration & grunt but the m3 does have a heritage! still i chose the isf and if this one comes to australia i will probably upgrade! and the 8 speed auto is a treat!drive one and you will change your mind on the isf not having a manual option! any way even if i did decide to buy any of the other 2 i would have still gone the auto option!that happens as you get older!