2008 Lexus IS-F Chatsworth GA

November 18, 2009   By Jon Alain Guzik, Editor-in-Chief



2008 Lexus IS F
DriverSide Overview
If you’ve ever wondered what automotive engineers do in their free time, what they dream about when they aren’t designing thoroughly researched products to appeal to the masses and appease the bean counters, or what they would build if turned loose with all of the resources a company like Lexus has to offer, wonder no more. The legend behind the Japanese company’s M3 stalker is that it was conceptualized and largely executed by just two engineers working in their free time after hours. If you believe such automotive lore, then the IS-F has been bred from the same automotive passion that forged companies like Ferrari and Lotus, free from the upper managerial chains that drag so many great possibilities into the mire of mediocrity. This car is a laugh in the face of responsibility, and Lexus is seizing on the chance to prove that it is more than luxury cruisers and hybrid SUVs.
 







What's to Like
The sports sedan comes with a cockpit that comfortably envelops both pilot and passengers. High bolsters, clear gauges and fine details dominate inside, while a near-flawless direct-shift 8-speed transmission delivers up shifts as fast as one-tenth of a second outside. The 5.0-liter V-8 produces thrills both from thrust and the sound of the exhaust. Massive rotors and calipers provide unbeatable stopping prowess. It looks pretty darn good too.
 
What's Not to Like
Though the interior manages to keep occupants planted while you dance around the track, ingress and egress can be a bit of a challenge for everyday driving thanks to an incredibly low-slung seating position up front. The big V-8 provides plenty of thrust, but it is a heavy drinker with fuel economy of 16-mpg city and 23-mpg highway, not bad, but not that great either.
 
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
From the moment you slide behind the wheel of the IS-F, you’re aware that there is something different about this car. Mash the throttle, and it quickly becomes clear what that difference is – abundant power. The V-8 delivers blinding speed, with enough power to push the hefty sedan to a 4.6-second 0-60 time. Straight lines are fast, but the IS-F dominates through the corners, staying firmly planted from apex to apex. The car forgives trespasses of drivers unfamiliar with 416 horsepower to the rear wheels thanks to the VDIM stability management system, which is capable of controlling any of the four brakes to help you maintain control. The effect is an uncomprehendingly simple to drive beast. In automatic mode, the transmission shifts briskly, though the 8-speed in manual mode delivers lightning-fast up shifts and devilishly quick rev-matched down shifts via steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. We think the IS-F really shines on the highway, where traffic falls by the wayside and its smooth power delivery ...

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