Lexus IS-F Video
September 26, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
The highly anticipated, BMW M3 killing Lexus IS-F is looking better and better every day.
A few months ago, we showed you this video which only captured half the fun at an official Lexus show-off day in the States. A new video has now surfaced with much better footage.
Our photographer also took some shots of the new IS-F at Frankfurt:
The IS-F is set to become Lexus’ premier performance sedan when it arrives in Australia next year. The spec sheet more than grants it performance car status, based on the proven rear-wheel-drive Lexus IS platform (sorry Toyota fans, this one is a proper Rear-Wheel-Drive), it will feature a performance-tuned 5.0-litre V8 engine, expected to produce approximately 300kW and more than 470Nm of torque.
The gearbox is something else altogether as the IS-F will premier the world’s first eight-speed (yes, eight) direct sport-shift transmission, able to change gears in 0.1 seconds – a mere 0.05 seconds slower than gear changes in a Formula One car.
This should send the IS-F to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds from a standing start – although the all important top speed is currently unknown – with eight gears to run out, it will certainly be impressive.
The car will be on display at the Lexus stand at next month’s Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.
Print it: 
oh hell yes, I cannot wait for the Germans to eat their hats,
so far all they have left against Lexus is their damn performance cars, and this and the LF-A will once and for all establish the Japs as the best manufacturers of all cars
Nice…i still prefer the look of the M3 though, but Lexus is trying!
When Lexus can dynamically tune their suspensions like the germans do than i’ll say they are the best, not yet…
Too many Adams!
Adam, give it time to prove it self, I think the IS-F will be a major surprise, Lexus hasn’t put a foot wrong recently.
Oh, i agree lexus does nearly everything very well, but i’m yet to see a model they produce that beats the germans for handling dynamics, BMW still rules the roost in that department.
It’s the only area Lexus needs to improve, when they do, they will be one of the best, styling is a little balnd also and generic also.
Well you all knew I would side with BMW didn’t you!
Stats of the Lexus I can find are.
5.0 litre v8,298 kws,475 NM of torque at ?, weight ? ,0-100 at 4.9 sec and a 8 speed auto paddle shift gear box {that I imagine you would have to be a F1 driver to get the full potential out of anyway}.
M3s new V8 are 4.0 litre V8 ,313 kws,400 NM of torque at 3900 rpm weight 1655 kilos ,0-100 in 4.8 sec,and a 6 speed SG {Give me a manual please!}.
For me that looks like the M3 is still doing a pretty good job at holding its own. I guess all will be reveled when thay do a test, one on one hey! Also the way see it with more torque in the Lexus but a smidgen slower then the M3 doesn’t that tell you its heavier or has a traction problem ! That then would be a bigger car around a track against the M3 true ! And what does that mean? Not as good I would think,I mean seriously as I said yesterday,they have currently EVOS,STIS,MONAROS,GTS,PHOONS ,and M3s in the Performance Car Series here in Australia ,I just cant see one of these things doing it as well as the M3 sorry,my opinion though.
Oh and its still a glorified Toyota anyway……..cast….waiting for Paul’s reply ?lol
Ha Ha, the Andispam word was Toyota. That proves the Camry is better than the Epica.
Those damn warranty problems that plague the Holdens and Fords, they wouldn’t occur if they stopped making those unsafe cars with RWD. Toyota FWD rules! Build more Camrys.
Not to mention all those damn Mercs and BMs that run around all over the world with safety features that leave those Holdens for dead.
Did someone blaspheme? Who said those Mercs and BMs have more safety features than Corolla, the best car in the world (no ESP, but it’s FWD, that’s all that matters).
Not to mention those VWs, which were the first to get 5 star safety in a small/medium car with the Golf V, who gave them permission to build safer cars than Toyota??? I’ll have you know that the laest 70 series can be had with NO safety features at all, not even ABS or air bags – take that you Germans and Holdens.
So, is the Lexus better – it has to be, it’s really a Toyota…
Lol I knew you couldn’t resist that hook.
Can you tell me Paul do you know what this weighs or at what revs its pulling 475 nm of torque ?
Pfft,build quality,safety crap and nanny controls ! I guess if Lexus didn’t have Merc and BMW to aspire to they still would be as good as a Camry………..cast………waiting!
I’ve heard rumors of BMW releasing a 4dr variant of the M3 (i heard this while working for BMW) in very limited quantities. perhaps this is a more likely competitor for the 4dr RS4 and IS-F?
toyota has an established race heritage in the F1 scene, but how they go in the domestic arena will be interesting with the IS-F being their opener.
“So, is the Lexus better – it has to be, it’s really a Toyota…”
There is nothing wrong with a Toyota. Toyota is the largest auto manufacturer in the world (just overtook GM). Toyota sells most cars in Australia (by a big margin). Toyota reads the market correctly (Scion and Lexus in the US) and builds the car people want to buy (Best selling Camry, Corolla, Prius, and Rav4). I think there is nothing wrong with a Toyota and perhaps there is something wrong with you.
Bavarian Im beginning to think your behind this other ‘Paul’ given that your always post so soon after and actually conversing with it, when its quite obious that its a joke. Regardless I think this alternate person should be blocked if possible.
As for the IS-F, its got the credenitials, I think attacking its ‘dynamics’ as someone did is ridiculous considering it isnt even out yet let alone driven it…. but personally the looks aernt great for me. If your paying a fair bit more then the IS250 or in the states 350 youd want it to be more differentiated, not to mention the rear to me at least looks abit outdated, the front is good though
Bavarian – yeah ,but Lexus is a lot better then Toyota… isn’t it.
Lexus has also grown to be one the worlds greatest and most respected car companies… hasn’t it.
Like Alborz said, Lexus hasn’t been able to put a foot wrong in recent years either… has it.
Lexus Fan – don’t bother with Ford/Holden twits like Bavarian… they are still in a jam trying to work out how Toyota out-classed, out-manouvered, out-sold and out-wealthed (if that is a word who cares) the poor old lost buggers at GM and Ford.
And doesn’t that IS-F look like a goer.
LOOKS BLOODY GREAT MATE.
SCO….yep your right there is going to be a 4 door M3.
Gary Baird I dont know is Lexus better than Toyota,you asking or telling me?Why also cant a Ford Fan be a BMW fan mate too ? I do own both! Where did I bring up Holden and Ford to Lexus anyway ? I am still waiting for someone to answer my questions on the Lexus against the M3.
Who is Toyota Paul, I thought he was Paul! So what are you smoking mate?
And guess what you two ,your both outclassed by me,hehehe
Looks like you had a chomp on the ‘ole hook there yourself kido.
HAHAHA,yep you got me Paul……….I still dont have my answer though on the Lexus questions? You know?
seems like a lot of people what to take a shot at toyota, feels like a bit of tall poppy syndrome? toyota is the biggest motor group in the world, just that it doesn’t really build any inspiring drivers cars at the moment.
if they were to bring back a replacement for the supra, the AE86 and start offering some well thought out performance variants of its range (imho i don’t consider the aurion TRD a well thought car) they would probably inspire more of the car buffs and “drivers” out there.
Their cars appeal to the greater market who use the car as a day-to-day, no fuss mode of transportation.
i own an xr6turbo and have driven numerous different cars and i have to hand it to toyota for their brilliant quality control GIVEN how much you pay for them.
Other than that, i don’t believe there are any manufacturer confirmed data released on the IS-F V8 motor at this stage. all just speculation. power has been reported anywhere between 295kw and 309kw?
If the IS250 vs. 325i weight comparison is anything to go by, i would guess that the IS-F would weight a good 150 – 250kg more than the M3 due to lexus not being so anal about “ëfficient dynamics”
So…can anyone post any auto review that puts any Luxus model ahead of any BMW model?
Adam: give a little credit where its due. For a company thats been in existence for a little over 2 decades, they have done quite well in rattling the luxury market. Just being able to compete with the best is a feat within itself.
the 3 series has had nearly half a century of development to get it where it is today, and by right is a sensational car. The IS on the other hand is in its 2nd generation and is one of the closest to come to the BMW in terms of driving dynamics, which i think we can all agree is what the 3 series is best at. not only that, but lexus has pushed the envelope on build quality and reliability.
Hey Sco, I think your reading more into what Adam and myself are trying to say here.
The first paragraph of this blog says quote”The highly anticipated, BMW M3 killing Lexus IS-F is looking better and better every day.”
How can you say this when neither car has been put up against each other yet ?
BMW has been the best engine manufacturer for 30 years now and this year alone has taken out 4 awards including the top award for best engine for the third year running with the first I6 twin turbo. So yes I guess Lexus has made great head way in 20 years against Merc and BMW but they do have these companies as the bench mark to meet and in my opinion haven’t surpassed either of them yet!
Ok according to the latest Wheels it needs to go on a diet!
1720 kgs……….! Wow