45 Votes

Tom Ford on the Lexus IS-F

zairnaim submitted on 3/6/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 1:48:18 PM

100 user comments | Category: Reviews | Source: | SOURCE: www.topgear.com

Tag Links: is-f, lexus, review, top gear.

You've probably read a bit about this car already, but here's another line of thought just to confuse you.

First, a little background. I'm a big fan of fitness for purpose. If you make a supercar, you need to make it super. If you make a daily grind hatch, you need to make it practical and durable. Everything has a little niche, and compromises to make, to steal a customer or two.

So one of the hardest cars to make would be a properly sorted fast and practical saloon, mainly because 'fast' and 'practical' don't tend to sit well with each other. It's the milk and orange juice equation. Fine on their own, but try to mix them and you end up with a queasy mess.

And yet, right now, we have several extraordinary cars that manage it to varying degrees of success. The Merc C63 is properly mental. The RS4 (I know it's out of production), is a brilliant, brilliant thing. The BMW M3 brings together so much tech and knowledge that the sheer speed it can amass is almost inconceivable.

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— zairnaim (View Profile)

User Comments

His article makes sense, but the car was built to be hardcore, and it just isn't.
— adamsaf723 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 2:41:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

Hardcore is XXX.

The IS-F is rated PG13 :-(
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 2:56:33 PM | | Votes: 4

If it's rated PG-13 when it's the fastest car in it's class, then what do the others rank in it's class? Rated G?
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 4:30:52 PM | | Votes: -10

I rate the other cars "E" for exciting :-)
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 4:41:08 PM | | Votes: 1

So wouldn't the Lexus IS be more exciting? The faster the more exciting right? 200mph is more exciting than 100mph correct?
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 4:43:26 PM | | Votes: -7

So the lexus IS-F will be rated "SE" for Super Exciting right?
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 4:56:50 PM | | Votes: -5

the isf is nowhere near the fastest in this class, that coupled with all the FAKE boy racer aftermarket feel addons, likes the fake exhaust, fake aluminum (aluminized composite clever Lexus way to say plastic), non functional aero stuff, not to mention other stuff i dont care how many post a day people put up about this car it is a 50% effort with a 150% hype
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 6:00:15 PM | | Votes: 8

bulldogz, do a poll to see how many people have driven the new M3, new C63 and new ISF and I guarantee its almost no one.

We are just now getting the opinions from the experts, so stop acting like you can just walk into your local Lexus dealership and take one for a spin.
— Chip (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 6:01:42 PM | | Votes: 4

"bmwdrvr"

Lexus IS-F - Top Speed: 170mph 0-60 in 4.6 sec
MB C63 AMG - Top Speed: 155mph 0-60 in 4.4 sec
BMW M3 - Top Speed: 155mph 0-60 in 4.8 sec (62mph)
AUDI RS4 - Top Speed: 155mph 0-60 in 4.8 sec

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/lexus/0710_2008_lexus_is-f/photo_11.html

*Lexus has updated its earlier preliminary figures. The IS-F's top speed has been raised to 170 mph instead of the 168 mph indicated in the chart above*

And lets not forget the upcoming Lexus IS-F/R
This will surely put it on the top in both top speed in 0-60 in 4.35 seconds. And that will beat the mighty Mercedes C63 AMG and leave both the M3 and the RS4 wondering what happened
(Auto Spies estimates)

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/12/enter-the-rumormill-lexus-developing-lightweight-429-hp-is-f-r/

http://www.autospies.com/news/IS-F-R-Did-Lexus-Shuffle-The-Deck-And-Draw-Another-Ace-In-The-Hole-24385/
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 6:58:58 PM | | Votes: -8

"fastonekiller"

Where are you getting the estimates from?

Here is the Car And Driver PDF File:
http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/download/60ksports_powertrain.pdf

The top speed is electronically limited to 151 mph

— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 7:04:14 PM | | Votes: -5

"fastonekiller"

It either you go with the professionals. Car And Driver not Edmunds.

Or even Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_C-Class#_note-2

ARE YOU CALLING MERCEDES A LIE????????????????????????

EVEN ON THE MERCEDES WEBSITE IT STATES 250km/h WHICH IS 155.35 mph for the Mercedes C63 AMG

http://www.mercedes-amg.com/C63/

UNTIL I HEAR IT FROM MERCEDES, AND UNTIL MERCEDES IT SELF SAYS SO. I'M GOING TO BELIEVE WHATEVER MERCEDES SAYS, BECAUSE THEIR THE ONES WHO INVENTED THE CAR, NOT CAR AND DRIVER NOT EDMUNDS NOT OTHER AMERICAN MAGAZINE.

155.35 PER MERCEDES BENZ
http://www.mercedes-amg.com/C63/

NOW IF YOU FIND ME SOMETHING COMING FROM MERCEDES BENZ NOT ANYONE ELSE I WILL OWE YOU AN APOLOGY.....
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 7:23:17 PM | | Votes: -5

"Spellchecker001"

If there is an agreement that german auto makers are limited to 155mph then whats all the fuss about?

Correct me if I'm wrong...the German makes are not allowed to sell a car in the U.S. that goes over 155 mph correct? Is this why the Mercedes US website has only 155mph on the car? If they do sell a car in the U.S. that goes over 155mph with that body kit wouldn'y that break the agreement?

Surely Audi and BMW would love to throw a body kit on their cars and surely that will make it past the 155 mark. But will this C63 AMG with the body kit sell in the U.S. with the body kit because that surely wil break the agreement?

But can the car come like this are they build it like this? Will this be a production car that goes over the 155mph? Because if it is the agreement that the German and the U.S. Department of Transporation is surely borken, and somebody will in breach of contract.
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 7:44:54 PM | | Votes: -1

And if that is so, Is it a production car are is it a add on attachment, meaning can you pre-order the C63 like this? If this is so then this Agreement of the Germans has expired are they not going by the rules as usual?
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 7:51:47 PM | | Votes: 0

Is Mercedes not going by the rules sith staying with the 155mph like Floria and Michigan.....

Or is the C63 not a production car with the body kit, then once it get to the auto dealer they tune it then make it go faster, which alleviates them from the German trade aggreement that keeps the cars at 155mph in production and once they get to the auto dealer they can do whatever the hell they want?

If so my statement still stands....
Lexus IS-F still the FASTEST PRODUCTION car in it's class...:)
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 8:07:58 PM | | Votes: -2

Oh I believe you....

But what about the German agreement that states all german cars are limited to 155 mph? Is it null now? Because it's not fair if Mercedes can do it so should Audi and BMW
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 8:35:44 PM | | Votes: -2

EL34, what do you drive?
— Homer008 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 8:53:32 PM | | Votes: -2

"BMW M3 - Top Speed: 155mph 0-60 in 4.8 sec (62mph)
AUDI RS4 - Top Speed: 155mph 0-60 in 4.8 sec"

Oh, dear God, please don't tell me you're using BMW and Audi's MANUFACTURER ESTIMATES.

You're obviously a noob.

The RS4's fastest standing acceleration time is 0-60 in 4.2 sec, as is the BMW M3's.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 9:25:41 PM | | Votes: 2

BTW, silver1...

On all Merc AMG cars, a de-limiter is available as a super sports package or something.

It doesn't fully de-limit the car, but it does open it up about 20mph more, to the 174 fastonekiller quoted.

Also, the Audi R8 is exempt from the agreement, seeing a top speed of 187mph.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 9:27:32 PM | | Votes: 2

Don't know what all the fuss is about...

Silver, just because you are limited... yes limited (please look in the dictionary to find its definition)... to 155 doesn't mean the car cannot do higher speeds. an M5 is limited to 155, but easily breaks 200mph...
— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 11:40:26 PM | | Votes: 1

The C63 might be XXX...
— CLK63BlackSeries (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 10:03:31 AM | | Votes: 1

"He already THINKS the C63 and M3 are much better"

Thats because judging by the numerous EXPERTS who have driven all the cars.....the ISF lags behind the others. You cant change reality. You may like the ISF personally, but that doesnt mean I will disregard what the EXPERTS are saying. Which is that the M3, C63, and RS4 are BETTER than the ISF.

"If you want to classify yourself like the others here who enjoy ridiculing cars that aren't even out, have at it, I'll call you out too"

Yeah, Im trusting the EXPERTS on this, meaning those who have driven the car.

Call me out....Please.

— Chip (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 1:19:44 PM | | Votes: 1

BMW can be bought with a raisen topspeed, but you have to take a drivers course, then they can let the M cars go to around 275 km/h.
— MPowerDK (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2008 11:12:03 AM | | Votes: 1

Who the heck is Tom Ford?
— TauronB2G (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 3:56:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

hmm....

Are you...interested in fashion?
— cdoke (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 6:55:55 PM | | Votes: -3

tom fords sister is a teacher at my school

no not the driver one the gucci tom ford
— eric452 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 7:14:57 PM | | Votes: 0

I thought he was gucci too lol
— CLK63BlackSeries (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 4:02:50 PM | | Votes: 2

So its fast as hell, but really memorable when going slow? Plus it has "dead" steering and no "seat of the pants" feel.

Dead?

Which is exactly why I prefer the M3, RS4 or C63. Those cars are....

ALIVE !!!!!

— Chip (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 4:24:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

Then don't buy one,Lexus doesn't need your business.I don't let anyone make up my mind for me,I would drive all of them then choose the one I like best.
— autopro (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 5:21:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

"Then don't buy one"...no worries...its last on my list.

"Lexus doesn't need your business"...and I dont do business with them. Your point?

"I don't let anyone make up my mind for me".......Wow, good for you !!!

"I would drive all of them then choose the one I like best"....good luck with that.
— Chip (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 5:42:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

slow witted,chip even bmw is not perfect.This is what autoweek had to say:For all this, though, the M3 is not quite as tactile in its actions as the car it replaces. The speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering, which also offers normal and sport modes, is light for a car boasting such performance, giving the impression of being a tad vague. Sport mode reduces the amount of assist throughout the speed range

(without changing the steering ratio à la BMW’s active steering) to provide more steering feel. Still, we’d like a bit more weight. It is only a small factor, but it does detract from the overall driving experience.

You are also aware of the car’s larger dimensions. It never feels quite as wieldy as before when you press hard. It’s not all that much bigger, but it gives the feeling that the M3 has moved up in size. Call it middle-age flab, if you like.

To help make the most of its electronic systems, the M3 receives MDrive, seen previously in the M5. Accessed via a steering-wheel button, it allows you to program your preferred chassis settings, store them and retrieve them; the settings appear on the iDrive monitor. At start-up, the M3 defaults to standard mode, but with a press of the MDrive button, you can sharpen the steering, stiffen the damping and set the ESP to function at a higher threshold. You might not use it every day, but it’s a nice touch for when you want to play.

Driving the M3 has always been a compelling experience, and that feeling remains. The new engine is potent yet doesn’t dominate proceedings in the one-dimensional way we’d feared. That’s because the chassis is well up to the job. It devours corners with clinical efficiency. In making it do so, however, BMW has had to trade off some of the M3’s renowned sensitivity.

This article was last updated on: 07/06/07, 14:21 et

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Displaying Reviews 1-10 of 15Previous | Next » The new M3 is not a step forward!
By Kumat63 from Raleigh, NC on 1/13/2008
Pros:Engaging
The new m3 is a porky, pricey gas hog. It is a step backwards in every way from the best M3, the original E30 M3. A car that gets 13 mpg? That weighs 3600 lbs? That's not an M3! We need a car that is not "in the spirit" of the original M3. We need the old M3 back. It should weigh under 2800 lbs and seat 4. Cut the M3 V8 in half and tune it for about 240
— autopro (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 11:48:27 AM | | Votes: 1

Autopro, you just wasted a lot of time.

I stopped reading your college thesis on the M3 half way through because it was so ridiculous.

The M3 is king, has been, and always will be, so stop wasting your breath.

— Chip (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 1:25:28 PM | | Votes: 1

So after years of hype that it would crush the M3 and RS4 at the track it is described as being "dead". I saw the Fifth Gear review by Tiff and he thought it was okay but the automatic gearbox wasn't good enough when going hard. And it was very prone to oversteer.

All the presenters will translate oversteer to being fun, and it is when you're on an airstrip, but it also means the cars engine is capable of going a lot faster than its chasis is.

The negative comments towards the IS-F are only because they promised to much and apparently have failed to deliver, but I reserve final opinion to when I drive an M3, RS4 and IS-F to be fair.

The C63 on the other hand is being priased because AMG didn't come out promising to deliver a better performing track car than the M3. They have their niche and make a great product. The chasis isn't as good as the M3, but they weren't claiming to beat it around the Nordschleife.

Lexus still retains its place as a good value, decent performance street car and good on em for that.
— TimmyG (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 5:52:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

Spellchecker, where did you get that quote from about the C63 chasis being better than the M3 one?
— TimmyG (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 8:11:34 PM | | Votes: 3

Firstly, you put it on quotes so it sounded like something from a mag. Secondly, when I say what the chassis is capable of, I mean the whole handling package which includes suspension, I should have been more clear.
— TimmyG (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 4:09:51 PM | | Votes: 3

Anyone know when the "Pebble Beach Edition" is coming out :-?
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 6:25:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Right after you post something intelligent.

— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 6:58:06 PM | | Votes: -2

CarGuy1, I went to two listing appointments today and I listed one home at $850,000, the other home owner is to upside down to sell at this time, and this Sunday I'm listing another home at $749,000.

el34 - Your OC Realtor Expert ;-)

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 10:18:22 PM | | Votes: 3

Lol 850000 dollars will buy you a 2 bedroom flat in my area of London - unspectacular 4 bed homes are going for 1,600,000 dollars here. It's insane.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 2:47:03 PM | | Votes: 1

Same article:

"And then we have the Lexus IS-F. And I love it."
— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 6:59:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

This world if full of odd ball people,just look at yourself,your a perfect canidate for the ISF super sedan.
— autopro (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2008 12:35:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I'm not the expert on spanking that you are, but is that really getting "spanked big time"?

Numbers are pretty close there.
— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 7:09:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

We are arguing about how high a car company sets its speed limiter? Top end speed is a combination of gearing, power and drag, not how high the lawyers agree to place the limit.
— kablaam (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 7:49:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

What about the German agreement that states all german cars are limited to 155 mph? Is it null now? Because it's not fair if Mercedes can do it so should Audi and BMW
— silver1 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 8:35:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

Why are we still talking about this boring car, let's all move on and start getting excited about the new RS5 due out soon. Now theres a car with class and style.
— xj13 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 8:44:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

What is there to be scared of?
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 9:30:35 PM | | Votes: 1

WTF?

The M3 coupe's base price increased by nearly $10,000. Nobody had known the final prices on the M3 sedan or IS-F when they were both released, so how would that be possible?

You think EVERYTHING is due to Lexus, don't you?
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 10:13:35 AM | | Votes: 0

8th gear "de-limit" gives the IS-F upto redline top speed. LOL someone's really worried about 172-174 mph.
— StickShiftCamry (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 10:06:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

If manual was available, then hands down choice IS-F. New lighter weight IS (supposed) coupe should be faster but don't think any manual. The best examples of RWD V8's are by Toy. & BMW., no need to argue.
— StickShiftCamry (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 10:10:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Let us not forget how freakin' fugly the IS-F is!
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 10:19:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

UGLY is right.
— xj13 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/6/2008 10:52:30 PM | | Votes: 2

Why spend so much ca$h....by a corolla and fix it up..same thing...take an old BMW or MBZ over a lexus any day.
— KEVINBSL500 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 12:47:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

KEVINBSL500: "Why spend so much ca$h....by a corolla and fix it up..same thing...take an old BMW or MBZ over a lexus any day."

Yeah, take an old Chrysler and it will break down because a Mercedes is just an expensive Chrysler. They are around the same quality as American. There's a reason people like Japanese cars, because they are higher quality than both American and European.

Since, both are not very good cars, I think the reason some of these MB/BMW "drivers" buy them is just for a status symbol and for the badge/emblem, or as they prefer to say instead, for their heritage/history... yeah...right...what, their history of breaking down?

Why are people supposed to respect MB/BMW, just because they've been around for a long time, or seniority? They can't just keep talking about their past because it's about the present and future, too. Lexus has proven their cars are superior and American and European cars have been trying to catch up for a long time.
— LexusLion (View Profile)

Posted on 3/10/2008 12:50:57 AM | | Votes: 1

Then you likely shouldn't buy nor post in stories about them.

Some solutions are quite easy.
— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 11:19:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Too bad the styling is so terrible otherwise I would really like it.

A shame, because a stock IS350 looks great!
— SevorbeupstryIsBack (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 1:58:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

@EL34 : my god, you are so scared of lexus.....
and I don't think you have a job because your the goddamn day on tne internet.....
— simbaba (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 1:07:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

You need a dictionary.

Look into it ;-)
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 2:47:00 PM | | Votes: 0

I think the IS-F looks the part and based from the numbers we've read its no slouch. However, I rather spend a little more on a German sports saloon than an IS.

I'm sure the IS is capable and I respect it but it doesn't mean any of us German car enthusiasts have to drool all over it. It is what it is so lets move on. The only negative thing I can say about the IS-F is that it lacks the soul of an M3 and the madness of a C63.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 2:23:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

"lacks the soul of an M3"

This line of thinking makes me laugh every time.
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 8:50:09 PM | | Votes: -2

You laugh yet you know the IS-F has no soul whatsoever.

So who's laughing now.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/11/2008 6:40:37 AM | | Votes: 1

I have waited to voice my opinion on the looks of the IS-F until I actually saw it in person. I saw two this weekend and I have to say its even uglier in person than it is in the pictures. It looks like a toy spaceship not a sportscar- it can be as fast as a 911 twin turbo for all I care- I wouldn't be caught dead in it. U-G-L-Y you ain't got no alibi! :)
— S4fanatic (View Profile)

Posted on 3/7/2008 7:09:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

I think it looks awsome.
— autopro (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2008 12:40:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

forgot the e Awesome.
— autopro (View Profile)

Posted on 3/8/2008 12:42:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I love the way it looks and drives.Long live the rice rocket!
— autopro (View Profile)

Posted on 3/20/2008 6:51:16 PM | | Votes: 1

Dont you get it,the car is UGLY.
— xj13 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 1:34:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Cant we all agree that all these cars are fast?!

There is barely anyplace or anyone here that would drive these cars over 140mph safely so its all a moot point. Mine does 171.3 and yours is 170.9 so i'm way better ..... Grow up!!!!!
— MartyMoose (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 1:27:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

With milk and orange juice you end up with a queasy mess?! Dude. That makes an Orange Julius! Just to tell ya.. their not bad. So I guess the IS-F is not bad either. Ford is just angry because asian cars are owning right now. Toyota just keeps on going
— asiancars233 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/9/2008 1:56:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

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Tom Ford on the Lexus IS-F

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