	Agent009 "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
	View My AgentSpace

In Detail: The Lexus IS F 8-Speed Sport Direct Shift Transmission

Agent009 submitted on 10/30/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 1:06 PM
from: www.autospies.com

[95] user comments | category: Spy Shots

Print this Page |

Digg It |

del.icio.us

In Detail: The Lexus IS F 8-Speed Sport Direct Shift Transmission

Conquering a Stereotype
Conventional wisdom has long held that a good manual transmission is always faster and more fun than an automatic transmission: Faster because it directly transfers power without the typical power loss of a torque converter, and more fun because it responds exactly to the driver’s commands with no delay. Fast, direct, fully controllable and predictable – exactly the desired qualities in any “driver’s car.” Moreover, precisely the qualities that describe the new Lexus IS F’s 8-Speed Sport Direct Shift transmission. The transmission is an arrow through the heart of conventional wisdom.

But why go to the trouble of creating an automatic transmission that performs better and faster than a manual? After all, the simple yet effective manual transmission is held in high esteem by driving enthusiasts everywhere.

Engineers love a challenge and when the IS F Chief Engineer dared his staff to build a paradigm-changing high-performance car, the conventional automatic transmission was a ripe target. Why? The IS F would not meet their lofty goals with anything less than a complete re-think of the gearbox. Goals that included scintillating track performance.

You may not care much about the detail and might feel that driving is the only proof you need. If so, you’re encouraged to get some IS F seat time at your earliest opportunity. But if you would like to know how Lexus built the world’s fastest shifting automatic transmission, read on.

Moving from Weakness to Strength
In the process of creating a maximum performance car, Lexus has done nothing less than turn what is typically thought to be a weakness into a solid advantage. To illustrate the point, let’s get right to the qualities that make it so:

• The worlds fastest shift time for street legal production cars. At 0.1 second, it’s faster than you.
• Full manual shift control that can be instantly accessed by moving the console-mounted shift lever to “M” and then using either the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters or the shift lever. In manual mode, it shifts only when you tell it to.
• A direct feel unrivaled by conventional automatics, made possible via clutch lockup (yes, like a manual) employed in second through eighth gears
• Ultra-quick throttle blipping downshifts match engine and gear speed to avoid sudden engine braking—an advantage during performance driving, on the track or on the road
• First gear torque multiplication for maximum off-the-line acceleration
• Smooth, yet quick and drama free automatic shifting, if that is what you desire

These qualities add up to create a track-worthy ultra-high performance transmission that works for you, not against you, by responding to your demands the moment you want or need it to. And unlike other transmissions built for high performance duty, there is no pain required for your gain.

Speed is Essential
The most important quality in the development of the new gearbox was shift speed. Incredibly, the team looked at the world’s fastest shifting transmissions for reference and inspiration: Formula One. A typical F1 transmission shift time is approx. 0.05 seconds, with virtually imperceptible lag. The IS F shifts occur in approximately 1/10th of a second. The charts below put the remarkable shift speed of the IS F’s transmission in perspective.

Upshift Downshift
Begin with a Robust Design…
The transmission team started with a new 8-speed automatic transmission design from the LS 460. This may sound like physical overkill but IS F would have notably more power than the LS and certainly be driven more aggressively, so a robust design was required.

The cleverly designed gearbox is relatively light and uses a special planetary gear set that allows a more compact design. The whole unit weighs only 96.3 kg yet has more than enough torque capacity for the IS F’s 5.0-liter engine.

…and Relentlessly Pursue Efficiency
The team that designed and developed the transmission knew that they had to think without boundaries to achieve the type of performance on both road and track that skilled drivers demand. The surprising results are rooted in two key areas: Shift/lockup clutch operation and shift control. It also doesn’t hurt to have eight speeds in the g‘box. The so-called lockup clutch is not new to automatic transmissions, but the control strategy is. Traditional automatics have used the lockup clutch to make them more efficient by creating a direct power path between the engine and transmission. This is normally done in the upper gears and in low load operations to preserve smoothness while gaining fuel economy.

The IS F turns this idea on its head by employing lockup in all gears except first when in manual mode. This eliminates any power loss from torque converter from 2nd through 8th gear while preserving desirable torque multiplication in first gear for stunning launch acceleration. The result is a direct feel unlike any other automatic, and right now response to the throttle.

This lockup scenario surely creates excessive shift shock, you say? The intentional result is much more in the “useful feedback” category than shock. And remember we’re still in manual mode; Shifts are quite smooth and quick in auto mode but manual is so addicting, you may never look back.

Add Strategic Control…
In order to create the virtually instant upshifts (in manual mode), Lexus engineers developed new methods to control the hydraulic pressure that actuates the transmission clutches. A high flow-rate linear solenoid is one of the key elements that work together with special computer programming to provide quick and precise control in concert with engine torque. Ultra quick shifts—when you want them—are the outcome.

The ability of the transmission to respond only to your commands yields a manual mode that is true to its name. It shifts only when you ask it to, and not when it thinks it should.

In addition, a modified manual mode is readily accessible without even touching the shift lever. When driving in “D,” one only needs to tap the downshift paddle once to move into the modified manual mode. In this mode, one can shift manually as desired; the system returns to automatic when the vehicle is stopped or driven at a constant speed for a time.

…and Performance without Pain is Assured
The IS F SPort Direct Shift transmission manages to be both an amazingly effective manual and a refined automatic. One stereotype…conquered.

On a side note, if you haven't reviewed your car yet or seen what others reviewers are saying, you need to see the brand new AutoSpies.com reader reviews!

Now anyone in the world can review a car like the pro's!

And as an added incentive, the best user review posted over the next 30 days will win a brand new Passport 8500 X50 Radar Detector - Blue (Retail value: $339.00)!

Do yours now!

AutoSpies.com User Car Reviews

Don't forget, the SEMA auto show is right around the corner!

2007 SEMA Auto Show, SEMA Girls and Models Photo Gallery

Comments:

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 10/30/2007 1:21:58 PM

-4 Boost

What is this rubbish? This looks like advertising mate!

This "article" is full of nonsense.. "world's fastest gearbox".."only shifts when you want it too shift"....

reply to this comment

Agent009 - 10/30/2007 1:34:34 PMView My AgentSpace

+15 Boost

It is a press release we do it for everyone. But it was an interesting one for those who want more info.

soopakrn - 10/30/2007 1:58:25 PM

-5 Boost

SevorbeupstryIsBack, of course it is. It's been put up here by you know who.

enthusiastx11 - 10/30/2007 2:03:10 PM

0 Boost

hey nicad:

i know source is very important to you. what's the source of this "article?"

85bmw745i - 10/30/2007 11:36:33 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

my 1985 BMW 745i only shifts when I tell it too and it's quite quick for and auto, and there is no delay like the manual mode in the new BMW's. We test drove an e46 330 and in manual mode I would shift, but there was wuite a delay, especially when downshifting more than one gear, like 4th to 2nd from about 25mph. it's funny on my old 745i there is no delay. when I put it in manual shift mode it shifts almost instantly. every car I have driven with an automatic with manual shift mode does this. There is such a big delay from when I command it to shift and when it actually shifts. I think it is a waste, although the lexus and Mercedes transmissions seem to be different. I don't know about the new 3 series, as I havent driven it yet. I would love to have a manual shift option on my Land Rover. it shifts way too soon. It short shifts at about 2,250 RPM unless I give about 75% throttle or more. even from first to second, so I just row up the gears manualy.

aarononymous - 10/31/2007 4:50:36 PM

+2 Boost

85 745i,

I used to have an e23 735i and I believe the manual said that in sport mode, overdrive is not selected, gears are held longer, and the torque-converter clutch locks up in 3rd.

Awesome car the 745i

85bmw745i - 11/1/2007 8:51:15 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

You are right about the sport mode, but you also have manual mode, the dial has S for Sport, E for economy and 321 for manual. overdrive or 4th gear is not used in sport and manual mode.

Agent009 - 10/30/2007 1:33:40 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

All you need to do is look in the IS-F or the LS-460. They seem to be a direct swap out with no consideration to performance application.

reply to this comment

r15mohd - 10/30/2007 3:07:18 PM

+3 Boost

i thik the IS-F tranny is more sport oriented...i've driven the LS and it doesnt seem to be anything sport IMO. but that could be to the weight/power comapred to the IS-F as well

the LF-A will come with the same 8spd as i've heard with further mods to help assist its power

reply to this comment

S4cabriofoxone - 10/30/2007 5:33:50 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

According to one of the latest reviews (Automobile, I think) the IS-F shares the LS460's strangely-spaced gearing ratios and it doesn't work with this engine.

reply to this comment

Star - 10/30/2007 1:49:26 PM

0 Boost

Why is this interesting? The DSG is a better, faster transmission, so praising the inferior transmision in this Lexus looks a little strange.

reply to this comment

Bmw8ter - 10/30/2007 2:38:58 PM

+3 Boost

Your precious DSG can't handle more than 300hp unless it's modded by someone who has a lot of knowledge about the DSG Transmission. And the fact that there are 2 fewer gears on the DSG, only means your gearbox is going wear out quicker, and it will be more susceptible to shift shock than the 8 speed will.

The Lexus gearbox, in theory, will last longer, shift more smoothly, shift almost as fast, and handle more power than the current DSG. The only downside is having more gears than is really needed.

Ingenieur - 10/30/2007 3:00:40 PM

+5 Boost

"It’s faster and smoother than VW’s DSG, and shifts are instantaneous. The set-up even blips the throttle on downchanges. The lightning-fast responses make flicking down the gearbox using the steering wheel- mounted paddles a real joy.
"

Source:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/211357/lexus_isf.html

Star - 10/30/2007 3:21:00 PM

-4 Boost

"Your precious DSG can't handle more than 300hp unless it's modded by someone who has a lot of knowledge about the DSG Transmission"
"BMW8ater"

Are you a newbie when it comes to cars? The Bugatti Veyron uses a DSG transmission and the car has 1000 HP. Do your homework before you spew nonsense.

Bmw8ter - 10/30/2007 3:58:13 PM

0 Boost

"Are you a newbie when it comes to cars? The Bugatti Veyron uses a DSG transmission and the car has 1000 HP. Do your homework before you spew nonsense."

Lets do some word associations here:

Feather - Bird
Tire - Wheel
DSG - Audi A3, TT, VW GTI

Your association of DSG with a Veyron gearbox seems somewhat counterintuitive. You're talking about a transmission that isn't readily available for mass consumption by the public. I on the other hand was referring to the DSG that you would find in the above mentioned vehicles.

I'm assuming that when people begin to argue about what turbo produces the most power, you'll be chiming in with, "but the turbos on a turboprop produce the most power".

Star - 10/30/2007 4:48:18 PM

+1 Boost

The point is that DSG can handle any power. The GTI has a DSG transmission fit for a GTI and the Veyron has a DSG that fits to a Veyron. Do you want them to use the DSG from the Veyron in a GTI? What exactly are you trying to say there? A DSG type of transmission is superior to what Lexus has on the IS-F and that's the end of story.

Bmw8ter - 10/30/2007 5:09:58 PM

-2 Boost

The only thing that can be inferred from your argument is that since DSG can be tailored for use in a Veyron, DSG is superior; this is hardly grounds for claiming superiority across the board. That can be done with a host of transmissions and the right people working on them. Your argument is subjective.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/30/2007 5:42:49 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Bmw8ter, you've obviously never driven a car with DSG. I've had it for a year... amazing. Obviously, amazing shifting (seamless, super-fast), but it's also trouble-free and frugal.

Bmw8ter - 10/30/2007 6:29:18 PM

+1 Boost

I've driven an A3 with DSG, and thought it was fun....would I buy it no. I prefer manual. I wanted to see if the DSG was worth it; really wasn't in my opinion. But then again, it was on a FWD car.

I get the impression you ladies thought I said DSG sucked. I just said that it wasn't superior to the Lexus 8 speed.

Bmw8ter - 10/30/2007 6:46:24 PM

+2 Boost

correction...alluded to the fact that it wasn't superior.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/30/2007 11:30:28 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Well, the thing is, it is superior to the eight-speed. The eight-speed is just an eight-speed. It's not huge technological leap forward. Neither was Mercedes's seven-speed or the six-speed before that.

The DSG, on the other hand, well... I'm assuming you know what it is so I won't go in to detail, but it's more technologically advanced, sportier and more fuel efficient than the eight-speed.

nicad, where did I say the eight-speed sucked? I just think it could've been revised for the IS-F's engine.

Rupert - 10/31/2007 8:42:20 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Nicad - the 8 speed is the 6 speed with 2 more gears.

It does not work like a manual at all.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 10/31/2007 2:13:07 PM

+2 Boost

"The Lexus gearbox, in theory, will last longer, shift more smoothly, shift almost as fast, and handle more power than the current DSG. The only downside is having more gears than is really needed."

Wrong, wrong and wrong.

You have no idea on what you're talking about..

Audiphile - 10/30/2007 2:06:46 PM

+3 Boost

Very interesting, Agent009. Do you know how this Lexus gearbox compares with the DSG Stronic transmission used on some Volkswagens and Audis?

Also, do you have any idea why the Edumnds.com test team had so much trouble with the IS-F transmission?

reply to this comment

Ironman273 - 10/30/2007 2:13:48 PM

+1 Boost

I don't know how they can say it's the fastest shifting transmission. Here's the info on a DSG from wikipedia:

Advantages
* Extremely fast shift time of 8 milliseconds when shifting to the gear the transmission is expecting
* Practically no power loss, due to the use of clutches instead of a torque converter
* Better fuel economy than the planetary geared automatic transmission and manual transmission

Disadvantages
* When shifting to a gear that the transmission did not anticipate, shift time is lengthy (around 400ms, depending on the situation)
* Can be expensive to manufacture, this discourages many automakers
* They are heavy: 75kg vs. 47.5 for comparable Getrag DSG and Manual models
* Being complex mechanisms there is more to potentially break

JRobUSC - 10/30/2007 2:39:05 PM

+1 Boost

8 ms? Is that for real or a typo? Now THAT is pretty amazing.

LexusKindaGuy12 - 10/30/2007 2:42:50 PM

+3 Boost

the thing about edmunds is they did two different tests. Traction off,or on, and in drive or manual mode.

what they failed to try was the Sport Traction which is made for less lag in acceleration...

Rupert - 10/30/2007 7:21:22 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Ironman -they can say fastest automatic for the IS because DSG isn't a true automatic.

Lemantech - 10/31/2007 10:54:42 PM

0 Boost

80 milliseconds for dsg...lol f1 cars do 30 ms, f430 scuderias does it in 60 ms, and the is-f does 100ms.

100ms is a very good time for a automatic transmission.

Rupert - 11/1/2007 8:40:51 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Lemantech, not 80 milliseconds, 8 milliseconds.
That's bloody quick.

JRobUSC - 10/30/2007 2:09:03 PM

+1 Boost

This is news? The Steptronic automatic BMW uses in the 3-series, 5-series, and 6-series also shifts in 100ms, does the same throttle blipping, and also "locks up" in gears 2-6. And it's been out for a year already. The only difference here is the two extra speeds in the Lexus, and every article I've read indicates they do nothing but cause the transmission to hunt for gears while driving.

reply to this comment

EL34 - 10/30/2007 2:10:54 PM

-1 Boost

This is advertisement for buying a real car, a real car made in Germany.

Forget this crap and buy a C63, M3 or RS4 ;)

reply to this comment

JRobUSC - 10/30/2007 3:43:23 PM

+1 Boost

Nazi's? Seriously? That's where you're choosing to go with this? If I remember right, moron, the Japanese were on the same side as the Germans in WWII. You are just an absolutely worthless addition this site. To paraphrase a great movie:

"Nowhere in that rambling, incoherent response did you even once come close to what could be considered a rational thought. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."

And seriously, please, 001, how is this idiot not banned? I mean, Nazi's???

JRobUSC - 10/30/2007 4:18:21 PM

+3 Boost

first, every family member who had anything even remotely to do with that is dead. You're dealing with descendants now, who had nothing to do with any of it, and they're not Nazi's just because of what their ancestors did. Second, and here's a big one -- the majority of families and businesses in the entirety of Germany (and eventually just about all of Western Europe) went along with the Nazi machine whether they wanted to or not, since not doing so meant death. It's not like the Nazi's went around asking people "please join, pretty please". I am of German and Jewish descent, with a mother who grew up in the post-war aftermath there and an entire side of my family who has lived in Germany for generations. It'd be nice if the world worked in black and white, unfortunately there's an awful lot of gray in real life. And none of this has anything to do with cars. You know what? Please DON'T ever get a BMW. Stick to Lexus's. BMW doesn't need more poseurs who think they know everything driving their cars making the rest of us look bad.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/30/2007 5:38:58 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

In fact, judging people based on their ancestry sounds quite a bit like the Communist society in revolutionary China (1950s). If you judge people that way, you may as well be a Red, nicad.

JRobUSC - 10/30/2007 6:32:46 PM

+2 Boost

WWII ended in 1945, not the 1960's. They're dead. Hell, why not go even further back then. I'm white, white people used to own slaves. Am I at fault for that? Or even further back, I am Jewish, the Eqyptians used to enslave my people. Should I be going after them?

As for hiding the past, let me post this question to you: let's say you found out your parents were pedophiles, would you try to keep the rest of the world from knowing that? Yes, of course you would. And when you're extremely rich and known around the world, you have even more reason to try and bury the shame of what they took part in, because you're going to be judged differently than some shoemaker who turned in his Jewish upstairs neighbors to avoid getting shot himself. Again, pretty much everyone, rich or poor, played a part in the atrocities of WWII, whether by actively taking part or just sitting back not doing anything about it. You're only hearing about this because they happen to be rich.

It was an ugly time, one of many ugly times throughout human history. I'm sure lots of people wish they could change the choices they or their ancestors made.

EL34 - 10/30/2007 11:32:41 PM

0 Boost

nicad, the reason we used 2 atomic bombs was because the typical Japanese citizen was 100% dedicated to what their politicians said, and that was to invade their neighbors and enslave everyone.

WWII facts.

JRobUSC - 10/31/2007 8:11:24 AM

+4 Boost

if the point is that you're an idiot, then yes we did, a long time ago.

1000rrRider - 10/30/2007 2:18:43 PM

-1 Boost

Audi's transmission is faster however this is big news for Lexus it’s their 1st so give them a brake, they are only 10 years late bringing it into the market. They will also introduce a knockoff of the BMW’s I-drive soon...stay tune.

reply to this comment

JRobUSC - 10/30/2007 3:19:54 PM

+1 Boost

ah yes, no one knows cars better than Time Magazine. After all, that's what they do in Time Magazine, review cars, right? What? They don't review cars? You mean it's a news magazine, not a car magazine? It has a car section though, right? No? Not even a car section? What about a special issue once a year about cars, it HAS to have that, right? No? Doesn't have that either?

Then who gives a f*ck what they say. Stick to "Man of the Year" awards.

JRobUSC - 10/30/2007 3:50:12 PM

+2 Boost

I don't care how much money Time has. That's completely irrelevant. I'd rather read about cars from a source that specializes in reviewing and writing about them. I'm don't read Car and Driver to find out about politics, and I'm not reading Time to find out about cars. Anyone who does otherwise is an idiot, you might as well decide what cars to buy based on what Maxim puts in their "Hot Rides" section.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/30/2007 5:36:55 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

LOL, JRob!

Kinger - 11/1/2007 12:02:02 PM

+2 Boost

"instead of facing the truth you guys attack the source. classic"

LOL, that has to be the most hypocritical thing ever said on this site.

AlexTx - 10/30/2007 3:21:06 PM

+2 Boost

BMW8ter.... What do you think is in the 1001 Hp Bugatti Veyron?????
That's right... a 7 speed DSG gearbox.

reply to this comment

Hwany - 10/30/2007 5:29:52 PM

-2 Boost

It doesn't count, according to BMW8ter, because it's not mass produced...haha what an idiot.

Like 8-speed is mass produced.

I thought Lexus fans were smarter than that.

Bmw8ter - 10/30/2007 6:52:31 PM

-1 Boost

"mass consumption".....the germanfan iq just dropped a a few points.

Star - 10/30/2007 8:30:42 PM

0 Boost

You don't make any sense BMW8ter. DSG is a type of transmission used in different applications, from regular cars to supercars. It is the most advance transmission to date and it shifts faster than any other transmission on the market weather is used in a GTI or in a Veyron. The transmission in the IS-F is very good but just not good enough to beat the DSG. I wish Lexus would make better cars, so titans like Mercedes or BMW would have some competition. Unfortunately the Japanese engineers don't seem to be good enough to bring something truly special on the market. IS-F is sadly..a failure.

Bmw8ter - 10/30/2007 9:49:23 PM

0 Boost

I don't make any sense? Your saying that because Lexus produces an 8 speed gearbox that "supposedly" isn't as good as the DSG tranny(no substantiated evidence on your part) that automatically, Lexus has produced a failure? How silly does that sound? If anything, we both sound like idiots.

autopro - 10/30/2007 4:27:34 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

I can't wait to drive one.I'm going looking for BMW's just to blow their doors off.I'm not worried about Mercedes only old people drive them.

reply to this comment

Star - 10/30/2007 4:54:10 PM

0 Boost

You are in for a surprise racer(ricer). Not only that you will be left in the dust by both the M3 and the 335i but pray hard and hope the IS-F is not going to burst into flames when you push the brakes. Ha, ha...

S4cabriofoxone - 10/30/2007 5:35:07 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

And the average age for a Lexus owner is higher than that of a Mercedes owner.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/2/2007 12:05:57 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

No... it's more like 61 and 55.

And consider the amount of buyers. If there are THAT MANY buyers who are older (with Lexuses, as opposed to Mercs), yes, it's a massive difference. "Only three or four years" can mean very big things if it's a large piece of datum.

Lexus - 10/30/2007 6:24:41 PM

+1 Boost

nicad, Xerokool, hey, I just want let you guys know that I got your back. Yeah, sure Lexus 8 speed suck that why BMW and Hyundai is copying them.

BMW and the other brands would release their 8 speeds, but I guess they found it ain't that easy making one.

Give credit where credit is due, all loser....NOTHING is good enough enough for them, unless it made in German. I guess a Jackass or Donkey raise in German is better than the one raise in the U.S or Japan?

Lexus first true sport sedan the Lexus IS-F already beat the new M3 both from 0-60 and skid pad. BMW 0-60 4.8s, and the Lexus IS-F 0-60 in 4.2s.

Lexus for Life

reply to this comment

Cynical - 10/31/2007 4:14:17 PM

+1 Boost

LOL! Lexus for Life!!! Man, I wish I could blindly follow a brand the way you do Mr. Lexus

Obliv - 11/5/2007 8:22:43 PM

+1 Boost

LOL GT-R and 335i have the same engine? You couldnt be more wrong. tard

nextGen - 10/30/2007 10:41:02 PM

0 Boost

Thank you Lexus for making more of things that used to be unaffordable more affordable to the masses. When a Lexus product costs less and offers qualities that equals (or exceeds) its competitors' offering, why buy the more expensive product to acquire the same properties? This situation doesn't bode well for companies that can't compete on cost. Don't simply take my word on this instead look to the present or past companies for a lesson on this topic (price elasticity of demand?).

reply to this comment

EL34 - 10/30/2007 11:29:20 PM

+1 Boost

nicad, put down the brite red Lexus kool-aid and come to your senses about Time magazine rating cars.

They don't know jack about cars!

The BMW 7-Series is one of the finest automobiles ever manufactured ;)

reply to this comment

Hwany - 10/31/2007 12:18:11 AM

-1 Boost

I guess the Lexus fans don't know that
Lexus had to make a better transmission than M-B to prove that they are worth it. And they got it! They got the respect from the media and from consumers. I highly respect their effort to push the Germans into making more better cars.

Lexus had to develope this to win over the 7-speed transmission that germans produced first.

Case closed.

reply to this comment

kpaxx - 11/2/2007 9:45:51 AM

+1 Boost

Adding one more gear to a transmission does not show any engineering prowess. If they did something like make an 7 or 6 speed that shifts faster and smoother than the 7G, than that would be something.

autopro - 10/31/2007 12:48:38 PMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

It takes alot of time and money to develop world class products.The germans have been doing it for decades.Lexus is only 17yrs old,those germans should be crapping in their pants.Toyota has more money tham all of them combined. Watch whats going to happen the next 10yrs.Their's a new sheriff in town boys.

reply to this comment

cRacKhEaDaLLeY - 10/31/2007 12:58:45 PM

+1 Boost

All your gears are belong to us

reply to this comment

rnsaza - 11/2/2007 1:57:33 AM

+1 Boost

IT'S AUTO BECAUSE IT'S AIMED AT THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET. THAT IS THE BEGINING AND END OF IT, FORGET THE SONG AND DANCE!

reply to this comment

Hermann - 11/2/2007 6:33:02 PM

+1 Boost

I have yesterday also driven the car at the SEMA-SHOW. On the Dyno the Power ends by the 6th gear, The 7 and 8th is only a overdrive with no power. Only burn-outs in the 1th and 2th gear is simpler with an automatic gearbox! You need by the IS-F all hands on the steering wheel! The car is bad to drive! In the real live there is a manual gearbox better. In the roundel we all can`t make a power steering. The IS-F is twenty years behind the BMW M3 V8, but for Toyota and Lexus owner the right car to learn drive with more power!

Listen to the IS-F Prise:
This car is cheap building in japan by the Yen-money. Also a cheaper Yen is not better for the US buyer.

reply to this comment

To post a comment for this story, you must first Login.

If you do not have an account, you will need to Register (It's Free!).

Most Recent Stories

First Audi A5 Convertible Photo Leaks- Should It Have Been A Hardtop?GM Says It Will Sacrific SAAB, Saturn, Hummer, And Hobble Pontiac For Federal Funds Nissan Sales Sour By 44.4% In November: Infiniti Drops 28.0% UPDATED: Audi Sales Ends The Free Ride By Skidding 25.4% In November DETROIT AUTO SHOW: Audi Flexes It's Muscle And Is Set To Debut V10 R8 Sports-Car Honda Civic sales down nearly 30%, Toyota Highlander sales up nearly 50%Chrysler Outpaces GM To The Bottom Of The Heap: November Sales Fall 47%Ford Asks Congress For $9 Billion In Stand By Credit But Has No Plans To Use It GM Sales Out Does Them All In A Bad Way: Sales Implode 41.3% In November 2010 Nissan GT-R Spec V Reportedly Will Cost $160,000 but Not Get More hp Jaguar and Land Rover in Big Trouble as Tata on the Bubble Mercedes Benz Sales Crumble 38.2% In November Mazda Sales Tank 31.3% For November Hyundai Makes Everyone Else Look Good In November By Falling 40%Porsche and BMW to Halt Production Honda Sales Falter 30.6% In November: Acura Freefalls 38.9%The World Bids Farewell to the Yugo BMW Sales Plummet 36.1% Mini Sales Explode 43.1% In November GM Ceases All Corporate Jet Flights: To Sell Remaining Jets Toyota Sales Spiral In November Down 33.9%: Lexus Basement Bound Down 34.7%FOMOCO Sales Continue To Flatline: Down 30.6% In November Volkswagen Finally Fumbles In 2008: November Sales Drop 19.2%Japanese and South Korean Car Sales Plummet in November Comparison Test: 2008 BMW M5 vs. 2009 Cadillac CTS-V vs. 2009 Mercedes-Benz C63 The Big Three Bailout According to SNL Nissan 370Z goes from 0 to 60 in the same time as the BMW M3 Mulally chooses Escape Hybrid for D.C. road trip Fisker to unveil production Karma Hybrid in Detroit Toyota Halts Production And Cuts Management Bonuses To Maintain Positive Cashflow Chrysler says 2011 Charger and 300 will pass fuel-economy standards 2009 GMC Yukon XL Denali FORD CEO Alan Mulally Will Drive to Washington D.C. To BEG For Money - But What Car Will He Drive To D.C.? His Lexus, OR Perhaps Maybe a Ford Product?Industry Sales Likely To Be Down 28% In November GM May Fare Worse Lotus Evora order list includes 007 and Top Gear hosts Everyone Is On A Budget, But Are These 5 Your Choice To Keep Living Large?Could The Detroit Recovery Plan Really As Simple As Merging In To One?Fiat Abarth 500 receives Top Gear’s “Best Hot Hatch” award Detroit Tells UAW They Can No Longer Pay For Idled Workers To Play Checkers 2010 Porsche Panamera auto show debut delayed Swedish Government Confirms Discussions With Volvo and SAAB BMW not putting MINI E into mass-production Top Gear Car of the Year 2008 award goes to VW Scirocco New Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X FQ-400: Limited Edition with 405HP 2009 Nissan 370Z Driven in Japan 2010 Jaguar XF-R spotted nearly finished UAW wants limits on carmakers' executive pay Does It Hurt The BMW Brand Image When They Are Being Sold At Costco?2008 Essen Motor Show: Vw unveils Touareg North Sails Edition Carlsson releases limited edition automatic watch Video: 2009 Mini Cooper Cabrio in action

More Recently Added News

Join AutoSpies

Photo Galleries

AutoSpies presents the best Auto Show Photos, Automotive Videos, Car Reviews and Hot Rides.

Latest Galleries

Cars

Auto Shows