26 Votes

Unleashed! Just How Fast Does An IS-F Go On The Autobahn?

Agent009 submitted on 10/12/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 4:22:56 PM

24 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.evo.co.uk

What do the following have in common? The BMW M3, Mercedes C63 AMG, Audi RS4 and, come to think of it, the Audi RS6, BMW M5 and Mercedes E63? Yep, they’re all German supersaloons.

And they’re all restricted to 155mph. The Lexus IS-F isn’t – neither German, nor restricted.

Which gives me an idea. Take the IS-F to Germany and do something none of the locals can – venture beyond 155mph, and perhaps match the Lexus’s 168mph claimed maximum. And if in the process I can claim a couple of notable scalps, perhaps sweep imperiously past a flat-out M3, that will be a bonus.

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Unleashed! Just How Fast Does An IS-F Go On The Autobahn?

About the Author

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
— Agent009 (View Profile)

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170.
— answer (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 4:56:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

What do the following have in common? The BMW M3, Mercedes C63 AMG, Audi RS4 and, come to think of it, the Audi RS6, BMW M5 and Mercedes E63? Yep, they’re all German supersaloons...

And they all whip Lexus ass if you remove the restrictions as well. This is pointless.
— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 4:58:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

no...they don't. There isn't a single review you can find where it states that they "...all whip Lexus ass". Actually not even close, as braking, handling and accelleration are very close amongst the 3.

Honestly, stop with the hyperbole.
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 9:33:53 AM | | Votes: 1

Not bad. But I'll still pick an M3 over the IS-F anyday.
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 5:21:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

In fact MB have special editions "without restriction" means for benz to put the speed governor at higher speed: C63 you can ask 174 or 186 mph, CLS63, E63, Sl63, S63, 186mph, In case of BLK series 199 mph or 211 mph.
There is no Lexus able to wipeout an M car so you can dream if you like, AMG in the autobhan....is not gona happen with a regular ISF.
— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 6:11:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

RS4, C63, M3 > IS-F
— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 6:24:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

And the point of this topic is...?

I hear the autobahns are so congested in Germany these days that speeds above 125 mph are only attainable and sustainable for a few seconds or minutes. Maybe some of our German or European members can verify this.
— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 6:24:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

I have heard this as well... Unless you go out of your way to hit the autobahn that is way away from the major city centers, you will never be able to hit those speeds, of course, unless you go out at nights...
— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 9:24:35 PM | | Votes: 3

This is quite true. Traveling extensively in Germany including having family there, the autobahn is more myth at times than reality. There is constant construction on the autobahn to keep it as smooth as butter, and anywhere around major city centers you will crawl at about 20mph. Contrary to belief, speeds are restricted at around 80Km/hr to about 120Km/hr is most places on the autobahn. However, there are stretches where it is open (especially in eastern Germany and Bavaria) where you can get a good run in.
— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 11:46:59 AM | | Votes: 3

As mentioned above, Bavaria, away from Munich, maybe towards east, and if possible at night, or Saturday and Sunday afternoon / evening, is a definite moment for high speed (given the weather situation is good).

Politics play a big role in this case. The federal states of Germany are governd by different parties or different coalitions of the major parties. And depending on who is in charge at the moment, you will have general speed limits (e. g. 120 or 130 km/h) on the autobahn, as they will implement their ideas of what is good and bad (for example green party: speeding is bad, because it is causing more pollution, and therefore we need speed limits) into their regulations.
— agent507 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/14/2009 6:36:08 AM | | Votes: 1

Rock solid machine. But, it should still get more hps from its crazy 5.0 V8, in my opinion.
— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 6:39:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

they did it to avoid gas guzzler tax and get good cruising mileage. I've heard of people getting 28 mpg at ~70 mph in 8th gear on the highway
— DinamoR (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 8:13:47 PM | | Votes: 3

Amidst your typical Lexus rage, and apparently your inability to read, you are missing the simple point that the IS-F's top speed is faster than all of it's competition.

If I were on the autobahn, I would want to be behind the wheel of the vehicle with the fastest top speed, seeing as that is what the autobahn is all about to "enthusiasts."
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 10/12/2009 9:35:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

it's their first shot at this and yet it's almost on par with the M3 and probably equal to the C63 and RS4. Give it one more year and it will be better. The top speed might be higher if the gearing were different. Without ample power at a good rpm the engine will just stay at it's certain point due to aerodynamics tire resistance and the other forces at work. Top speed was said to be 173 mph. That's fast. Regardless of how fast the others CAN go WITHOUT the limiter, the Lexus can go faster as is. And it's cheaper.
— freshseth83 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 12:46:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

M3 in day
— xj13 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 5:51:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

I mean an M3 anyday over that pointless isf
— xj13 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 5:55:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

if Lexus made the best car in the world you would still say the same thing. Your opinion is pointless. It's like a KKK member reviewing a rap album.
— DinamoR (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 2:06:13 PM | | Votes: 1

The other autos have limiters at 155 for a few reason.

1) You would never be able to get up to those speeds, even on the Autobahn nowadays with congestion.

2) The engines will not suffer additional and potential damages from running so high for periods of time, they scale them slightly back to keep in safe operating thresholds.

3) Top speeds are sorta irrelevant in todays reviews. People look for HP, but they should look more at Torque, alongside with braking, handling. You know, things that matter in the real world.

Again I'm not a German fanboy, I realize top speed of the IS-F is faster (stock to stock with competitors, not special models as said above). But you need to realize the Germans focus more on real-world and track worthy items than simply top-speed. 168mph is great for a bragging reference I guess.
— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 9:38:01 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Whelan- You are so right with this one. So few realize that americans buy based on HP but in reality they want the torque.
— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 10:13:57 AM | | Votes: 3

I thought it was common knowledge that the Germans limit their top speeds to 155mph out of a "gentleman's agreement" as to avoid a horsepower war?
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 11:26:41 AM | | Votes: 3

Whelan: getting a top-speed governor removed does not constitute it as a special model. Its the same as deleting the insignia. There are two main reason people do not do it. 1. They do not realize they can request it that way. 2. most people will never get it up to that speed anyway.
— ThierryHenry14 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 4:45:01 PM | | Votes: 2

It does not matter they are not as reliable as the Lexus and...I ONLY CARE ABOUT THE FEERARI'S
— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 10:53:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

All the cars mentioned in the article are fast and can perform greatly. Really only one of them is worth owning that will not drive you crazy with maintenance problems; the fastest of the group.
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 11:16:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Generally on weekend and away from majors cities you can push 120mph +.
Generally I'm usually traveling about 85-100mph when im driving my M3.
The traffic, speed cameras and construction zones are a drag, Overall driving the autobahn is an awesome experience, sometimes I take it for granted at times.
— Sam1 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/13/2009 3:16:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

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Unleashed! Just How Fast Does An IS-F Go On The Autobahn?

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