2008 Lexus IS-F: Does the "F" stand for Flex? (and not the Ford type)
After a disappointing experience behind the wheel of the Lexus IS 250 F-Sport recently, I wasn't expecting too much from the Lexus IS-F. Yeah, sure, I know this is a whole 'nother deal, what with it's 416 horsepower, 5.0-liter V8 and 8-speed, paddle-shifted transmission.
Yet it was hard to believe two vehicles could share a platform, exterior panels and interior design without sharing the bulk of their driving characteristics. But you know the old saying: There's not a problem in the automotive world that can't be fixed with more horsepower.
Like most old sayings this one is true, too. The Lexus IS-F may not eclipse the BMW M3, Mercedes-Benz C63 or Audi RS4 on my shopping list, but it does prove the viability of the IS as a performance-oriented platform.
I would still prefer the availability of a real manual, or even an automated clutch version, but for a car utilizing a torque converter the IS-F's transmission has excellent responsiveness (including rev-matched downshifts). Combined with the IS-F's glorious exhaust roar, eye-bulging brakes and quick steering this Lexus almost feels like a skunkworks contender. Almost.
Two major problem areas exist. First, the suspension is too harsh, even for a tuner model. It literally tried to "throw" me (ala saddles and spurs and clowns) over one particular pavement heave on Mulholland. My head didn't actually hit the roof, thanks to the seatbelt, but I was fully airborne for a moment there.
Second, there's too much flex in the chassis. This issue really surprised me, as I rarely encounter obvious chassis flex in today's vehicles. But when I drove the IS 250 F-Sport two weeks ago I noted a creaking sound in the driver's B-pillar on certain PCH sweepers. I figured between that car's "modified" status and relatively high (for a press car) miles it was probably not indicative of the entire model line. But a few days later I drove this IS-F through the same curves and heard the exact same creaking from the B-pillar.
On a base, IS 250 model that's not a good thing (especially one wearing all the F-Sport upgrades), but on Lexus' top-of-line performance model, going head-to-head with Germany's best? Simply unacceptable.
Interestingly, the two issues may be related. I've talked to enough chassis engineers to know that when you get a platform right (meaning adequately stiff) you can tune the suspension to deliver both compliant ride quality and controlled body roll. If you get it wrong, you end up using the suspension as a band-aid to hide chassis inadequacies. Usually these band-aid efforts show up as a side effect in some other area, like ride quality.
Of course this is all just theory on my part. Maybe the creaking/flexing was only an issue with this particular IS-F...and the IS 250 F-Sport I drove a couple weeks ago...
- Posted by
- Karl Brauer September 8, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Lexus IS-F
I know it is a trivial point but....and great exhaust roar or not, I think the stacked quad exhaust tips that aren't actually connected to the exhaust indicates something. I don't think any of the cars it is supposed to compete with would feature something like this (and who knows what else).
rick8365:
Agreed on the exhaust tips. They look cool, until you find out they're fake.
That could be why the b-pillar is squeaking, the structure isn't stiff enough.
If Lexus wants any performance credibility, they need to do better. B-pillar creaking is just simply unacceptable. I agree with rick8365 and dougtheeng, the exhaust tips are very disappointing.
I just saw one this very morning, in white. It looked very good from the front. From behind, I didn't notice the exhaust tips because I was focusing on the side vent. It didn't look tacked on at all, but it didn't look great either (from behind). But that's a minor point. It's disappointing to hear it's as wobbly as an old Miata... though that is something you can fix with some underbody bracing. If the aftermarket is serious about this car you will see that for sale (it's a popular buy for Miatas).
I thought a flexy chassis forced you to use a softer suspension though. The more solid the body, the stiffer you can go... why would they go stiffer than that? In their position I would've softened the springs and dampers and depended more on sway bars. This wasn't designed for the Japanese market after all (there, they prefer stiffer springs to sway bars for greater compliance in very sharp mountain road turns where a car with large sway bars might cock a wheel and lose traction - and their roads are smooth enough to get away with it).
The IS-F looks good to me but hearing the body flex is an OUCH! It would be interesting to compare the cars (M3, C63 & IS-F) with the new Caddy CTS-V.
Hi Karl...
Sorry to go off topic but I wanted to draw your attention to this op-ed piece courtesy of the New York Times...yikes!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/opinion/08sepkowitz.html?ref=opinion
No apologies necessary. A good article to read (not because it makes any sense, but because anyone interested in personal liberty should be aware of this type of thinking -- it's more common than many of us realize).
I had something picked out for tomorrow's Talk Back Tuesday, but I'll use this article as my focus instead (please try to resist commenting until it posts).
Thanks!
Bummer. Drive your Lexus like, well, a Lexus, and you'll never notice. Sounds like IS350 was about as sporty as this car was ever meant to be.
Yes, I keep thinking maybe it was just a fluke...or two flukes in this case. Too bad because the drivetrain in the IS-F is quite good.
If Lexus would have considered the IS-F when the actual IS series was in development I think it would have been a better car, not that its bad now.
The idea of the IS-F was born AFTER the initial IS series was in production. Thats why the IS-F has wierd front end styling and excess/odd hood bulge as the V8 had to be litterally stuffed into the engine bay.
As far as the IS-F is conerned I think Lexus should be a bit more agressive and try to exceed the standards of the German offerings. Hey Lexus, offer a damn 6 speed manual to the IS-F and IS350 while youre at it if you want to really cater to the enthusiast.
Now as far as the F line as a whole is concerned Id really like to see more models with the F designation. How about a GS-F (I think Ive heard rumours on that car) and a IS-F coupe and convertable.
Oh jeez, can't wait for tomorrow. What a bunch of commie BS.
Regarding the IS...wasn't the automotive press quick to hail this second generation above the "boy racer" IS300? Has that opinion been tempered given the 2nd gen's poor performance? I've always been a fan of the IS300, even before I was what I would consider a "true" enthusiast. I think it looks gorgeous inside and old, and has decent performance. The problem is, on the used market, for the same price you can get a significantly faster 328i.
"The problem is, on the used market, for the same price you can get a significantly faster 328i."
Im assuming youre talking about the E46 328i which was NOT significantly faster than a IS300. I dont know if if its even faster as the IS300 was decently quick. The 330i was faster but it wasnt introduced until 2001. They tend to be pricier and costlier to own than the Lexus IS300.
Ive always been a fan of the IS300 as I almost bought one back in 2003 but bought a Acura CL- Type-S instead because I couldnt find a manual IS300 that was close.
The IS300 in my mind was a more playful and willing car than the current IS series as Lexus made the current IS somewhat boring to drive although that 3.5 V6 is sweetheart.
The research I did said that the 328i was almost a full second faster to 60 and in the 1/4 than the IS300. Then again I read that on a BMW board lol. And I was surprised to hear from an RX330 owner that Lexus maintenance is quite expensive. I don't think he ever owned a BMW for comparison, but he did own a TL.
Toyota is slowly but surely turning into GM: Uninspired products with poor build quality dictated by been counters and not engineers. This was predicted when all the hoopla about them becoming the biggest was around. Too bad. I miss the cool Toyotas of yesteryear; Supra, Celica, MR-2. Now the most sporting Toyota is this and the Matrix, sheesh. My elderly mom has a Matrix; it's not sporty.