37 Votes

Lexus IS350 faster than Audi S4!

natnut submitted on 12/26/2006 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 9:32:03 PM

57 user comments | Category: Reviews | Source: | SOURCE: www.roadandtrack.com

Road and Track online review of IS350 vs Infiniti G35 vs Acura TL.

The IS350 won but what was mind boggling is that the 3.5 L V6 IS350 turned out to be faster than the V8 Audi S4(which is incidentally much more expensive). Imagine what a beast the IS-F(V8 5L 425hp) will be!

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— natnut (View Profile)

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Go Lexus! I always knew that Audi wasn't worth the money. I mean, they aren't that nice, they're expensive, and now, they aren't that fast.
— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 1:47:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6

^ Another wonderful and incorrect comment by a stupidly biased Lexus freak.

"Aren't that nice"...., try nicer looking and over all a nicer experiance than a Lexus.

"Aren't that fast"...., a story or two about how some car is faster than an Audi (IN THIS TEST), and you come to the conclusion that Audi's aren't fast??

Idiotic comments which further prove that people in the Lexus camp just can't see the other side of the fence.
— Mark (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 6:37:09 AM | | Votes: 1

Wilco - You are correct. I didn't mean to say the Lexus camp was the only ones. I know that is very applicable to the other camps.
— Mark (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2006 7:00:55 AM | | Votes: 3

It is.IS350 is faster than the Audi S4 V8 and BMW 335i.

And their are rumours of it(3.5 V6)gettig a boost of atleast 40 BHP at it's mid-life facelift sometime next year.2008.

Go Lexus.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 2:00:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

Rumors!!! Really, OH MY GOODNESS!! Because we all know that all rumors come true.........um, no.

— Mark (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 6:38:56 AM | | Votes: 1

uh... no it's not. The 335i is faster than the IS350 in every single online or printed source. And this article is misleading, because the 335i is also faster than the S4, it's just not part of the test because it's not Japanese. The 335i times are virtually identical to the best tested times for the outgoing M3.

BMW 335i stated output 300hp/300lb-ft, actual output 340-350hp/350-360lb-ft, 0-60 4.8 sec, 1/4 mile 13.3 sec

Lexus IS350 output 306hp/277lb-ft, 0-60 5.1 sec, 1/4 mile 13.7 sec

Those figures were from Road and Track, which I chose because they had the BEST times for the Lexus and I wanted to be unbiased. Other sources had the IS slower (some as high as 0-60 in 6.0 seconds, which I don't believe are accurate but they're out there). Conversely every source, including Edmunds.com's Inside Line (which typically posts the slowest times), has pegged the 335i with the figures above. In fact Edmunds had the 335i only 0.1 second slower than the new RS4 in both 0-60 and the 1/4 mile (again, same time as everyone else for the 335i, slightly slower time for the RS4 than everyone else).

They can add 40hp to the Lexus, and it'll be a very fast car. But they're never going to be able to get the torque the 335i has, even if they can match the hp, so it's still going to be behind the BMW speed-wise, or at best they'll be even. Plus I'm sure there's plenty of reserve in the 335i motor, and it's a lot easier to tweak a turbo motor, keep that in mind. That's also ignoring the handling difference between the two, and the fact that you can get the 335i in a manual transmission, and that starting in the spring you can get it with all-wheel drive AND a manual, which I believe is going to be a fantastic car.

They're both excellent automobiles (as are the Audi models that for some reason have been dragged into this). I don't know why everyone has to get all "YEAH MY BRAND RULES YOUR BRAND!!!" every time some new information comes out about one of them.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 9:21:28 AM | | Votes: 6

ok, after watching the video I'll revise the figures for the IS350: 0-60 4.9 seconds, 1/4 mile 13.5 seconds. Those figures are by far the fastest I've ever seen for the IS, but since they're there and I said I'd use the best figures I could find for the Lexus I'll accept them. Either way that's still slower than the 335i.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 9:29:50 AM | | Votes: 4

IS350 will then have around 350 BHP.100BHP per litre.I guess 350BHP IS350 will be capable of staying together with the RS4,if not beating it.

Lexus for life

JUGNU
— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 2:04:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

Well considering the S4 is almost 5 years old, this isn't so surprising.
— Heyhuub (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 4:09:24 AM | | Votes: 2

Not a big surprise here, the Lexus should be faster...its a thin skinned tin can! Why not test the 2 wrapping them around a phone pole at about 100km per hour and see who fairs better....

Friends don't let Friends Drive Rice!!!!!!!!
— phaetonmeister (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 8:47:09 AM | | Votes: -9

only in straight line, not at the corner.

but WOW that's fast for a v6 beating a v8.
— 528i (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 4:15:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

I am not surprise a V6 is faster than a V8 now dayz. Try to race a Is350 , G35 , 335I ves a garbage V8 mustang GT and see what happen !! Better yet throw in a STI and Evo just for fun.
— 99gs400 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 10:43:44 AM | | Votes: 1

"Jugnu" I hate to break it to ya bud, but the 335i is the fastest in it's class which means it's faster than the IS350...In fact the 335i is faster than any Lexus ever produced.

Go put that in your pipe & smoke it.
— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 5:21:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

....and anyways, I haven't found a good unbiased car magazine that I enjoy reading anymore. R&T, C&D, and even MT now!

— Mark (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 6:43:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Did they test the IS350 going downhill?
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 7:46:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

But that's...that's CHEATING, MDalle. ;-)
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 10:55:29 AM | | Votes: -2

Actually, FYI, a rolling start would be slower.
— Asitis (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 12:02:56 PM | | Votes: 5

How so?
— Bill (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 4:34:36 PM | | Votes: -1

Why did Road and Track include the Acura?
— G35Lover (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 10:41:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

...Except it finished 2nd...
— golfer38 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 11:56:58 AM | | Votes: 5

Yes, the lighter IS350 is a bit quicker than the older and heavier S4. But Road and Track tested the S4 earlier, at a time when they weren't known to produce good 0-60 times. If they test the Audi S4 right now, I bet the S4 would be quicker. most likely under 5 seconds.
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 2:03:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

Well, most likely due to AWD powertrain losses with the A4. Although the A4 has more HP it may be putting equal or less HP to the wheels than the IS350.
— Sauceboy01 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 3:16:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Boy, I really attracted all the Lexota Fan Club with my previous comment.........lol
— phaetonmeister (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 4:33:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Not really- just exposed yourself for an idiot.
— mitchatlexusofmarin (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2006 12:04:15 PM | | Votes: 2

I often read these posts and wonder how many of you are legally allowed to drive. Half a second over 400 metres does not determine which vehicle is superior, and the relative advantages of RWD and AWD are entirely subjective. The reason that the IS is so good is because it's a fairly complete package. Those serious little Japanese men at the extremely profitable Lexus HQ must be laughing all the way to the bank at the moment. Rather than measuring your appendages, wait until you're old enoungh to drive these cars before you make these ridiculous statements. Magazine articles can only tell you so much.
— Buzz (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 4:39:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Lexus will enter the most competitive,
prestigious automobile race in the world.
Over 50 years of Toyota automotive experience
has culminated in the creation of Lexus cars.
They will be the finest cars ever built.

Lexus will win the race because
Lexus will do it right from the start.
Lexus will have the finest
dealer network in the industry.

Lexus will treat each customer
as we would a guest in our home.

If you think you can't, you won't...
If you think you can, you will!
We can, we will.
— mitchatlexusofmarin (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2006 12:06:05 PM | | Votes: 2

the BMW 335i is much faster than the whole Lexus lineup hybrids included, also many magazines rated the 330i higher than the IS350, lexus fans try to make their taco bell cars out to much better than what they really are. Futhermore isn't time to replace the sorry looking SC430.
— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 6:40:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

When IS350 ran 0-60 ONE second faster than their beloved 330i, they said speed is not important for performance.

Twin Turbo 0-60 4.9s? Supra did that 10 years ago.
— SupraNeverBack (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 10:23:51 PM | | Votes: 3

yeah only the Supra was a stiff two door sports car with zero luxury. And it cost back then what the 335i does today, so considering net present value of money it was actually a good bit MORE expensive than the 335i (or IS350, G35, et al).

The Supra was an awesome car. Personally I preferred the RX-7 back then, but it was still a great vehicle. It doesn't compare to these cars though, it's not meant to.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2006 2:52:47 PM | | Votes: 0

The S4 is over 5 seconds, the I6 M3 is clocked at 4.9sec from the following link which matches the IS350's time in this video.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/08/31/bmw-335i-nearly-matches-m3s-0-60/

Does anyone care the IS350 is a standard car? It's not categorized as a super car like the M3 or v8 S4 and it's not turbocharged like the 335i yet technically outruns them all (I say technically because no one will even notice .2 seconds). I'm sure the S4 does outhandle the rest for when you have to make those 130km/h corners.

btw, the Z06 (505hp) Corvette is still faster than the V8 M3.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 8:26:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

"the IS350 technically outruns the M3 and 335i"? "no one will notice 0.2 seconds"?

I disagree with both. Why? First because the IS350 doesn't outrun either of them, not technically, figuratively, subjectively, or any other "ly". It's slower than both, plain and simple. And second, people whould notice 0.2 seconds. YOU would notice 0.2 seconds. If the Lexus was 0.2 seconds faster than the 335i you'd be posting messages about how amazing the IS350 is and how Lexus destroys all BMWs, because that's what you always do on here. Since it's not faster you say no one will notice the difference and say it's magically "technically" faster.

In this particular example the Lexus is slower. It's still plenty fast, and it does happen to be a little more luxurious and a little cheaper than the 335i. There's your "win". Focus on that.
— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2006 3:11:43 PM | | Votes: 2

Hmmm, interesting huu76, considering there are no performance figures for the V8 M3!

Also, we must remember that the IS350 has very magazine-friendly gearing, meaning the boys at Lexus wanted to appeal to America's fascination with 0-60 by creating gear ratios with catered to acceleration-spotters, while mid-range acceleration and high-speed drivability is questionable.

Of course, those figures are deeply impressive any way you look at it, but the 335i would still be a faster car in the real world. More torque, better mid-range power, you know, things which are actually important.

It's a good 'impress your mates at the pub' fact, this IS350 acceleration thing, but of no real value to anyone.
— Matthew1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/27/2006 11:09:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

thats great, once its clear that the 335i is hands down faster accuse bmw of cheating by using a turbo. great smoke screen, but the IS is still slower. :)
— vcowman (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2006 1:09:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Matt,
The BMW M5 V10 is rated at 4.8sec and all the "media" predict the M3 to be in the mid 4s by power to weight.
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2007/bmw/m5/100830998/specs.html. The Z06 runs 3.9sec.

Yes, I'm sure only Lexus tunes their cars for tests.

Whatever, unless it's a 1/2 second faster, no one will notice. If you had read carefully, that comment was actually defending BMW.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2006 10:23:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

btw Matt, I'm sure telling everyone how well your car supposedly handles is of much more importance to your mates at the pub. Anyone who needs to brag about that obviously needs some help.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/28/2006 10:24:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

This article is supposed to be about the IS vs. TL vs. Audi - just curious why all of the talk about BMW?

And why hasn't anyone even commented on the TL?? Is the TL not "worthy"? I drive a TL - yes, it's fwd, yada, yada, yada and I do not drive the Type S - but I still have 270 ponies following me around. And I can tell you that I've never driven the IS (but know folks who have them) or the Audi (ditto on comment) - but my TL leaves many, many, many cars far behind from a stand-still take off. It's definitely quick, so I can only imagine how much quicker it is with the Type S suspension, etc. Give Acura a little credit.
— TL4KEL (View Profile)

Posted on 12/29/2006 1:12:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

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Lexus IS350 faster than Audi S4!

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