FirstDrive/Lexus IS-F:Several years ago our intrepid car spy photographers contacted us from the legendary Nurburgring about images of what they claimed was a Lexus IS that could give BMW's iconic M3 a run for its money.
From the images it looked like a regular IS200 - albeit with an engine bay that was bursting at the seams - but they assured us that its antics on the track were not those of any production model: this was a fully-fledged road racer, the first from the Japanese brand. At the time the folks at Lexus dismissed the sightings. Clearly, it seemed, our photographers were spending too much time in the beergardens.
Now, four years on, it seems those early trials have finally borne fruit. The ever-growing Japanese brand has officially entered the performance race with a red-hot version of its IS range, aimed at challenging the likes of the M3, Audi RS4 and Mercedes C63 AMG.
The project benchmark was the BMW, but the good news is that the new IS-F (the F denoting the new Lexus performance range) is no carbon copy of the German powerhouse. It's a performance car in its own right with some uniquely Lexus traits.
The problem for Lexus in this niche market is always going to be street credibility. In this game, the pecking order is largely based on pedigree as much as performance statistics.
The simple truth is that Lexus doesn't have any history in the power race. It's the new kid on the block. However, this IS-F is the natural progression for a brand that wants to be taken seriously as a premium marque on the European stage. And there is no questioning its premium credentials: just look at its dominant position in the US market and its remarkable rankings in virtually every quality and reliability survey. These guys know how to build cars to a very high quality. The question is: can they let their hair down and powerslide with the best of the Europeans?
The IS-F is clearly based on the regular IS version, with only some slight detailing signalling its meaty performance. Keen eyes will spot the cooling ducts behind the front wheels, the twin stacked exhausts and the forged alloy wheels. It's a nice level of subtlety that has worked well for Audi's RS4 over the years and does just as well for Lexus.
Powered by the 5-litre V8 taken from the LS600h, the engine has been reworked with the help of Yamaha and delivers 423bhp with a 0-100km/h time of 4.8 seconds. Modifications over the LS block include a new valvetrain, an extra oil "scavenger" pump and a new aluminium manifold. The end result is an engine that can happily run at the 6,800rpm redline for extended periods without complaint.
This engine is matched to an eight-speed transmission that, while it may seem a little excessive, is one of the smoothest gearboxes around. In practice, it's virtually impossible to identify the changes. Among its greatest strengths is the ability to use the full rev range in manual mode, letting you run right to the redline and stay there rather than taking over and changing up for you. Similarly, you can set the highest gear you want for a particular stretch, preventing it from shooting up to eighth - which is really an economy run ratio - when you really want to keep the revs high. And once you've discovered the sweet aural treat that awaits you at 3,600rpm, you'll want to keep those revs high.
On a private test track last week, we started to really appreciate just how far Lexus has come in the performance stakes. Incredibly, it puts it up to the likes of the BMW and the rest, yet it never feels like it's going to lash out at the driver for pushing it towards the limit. Throw it vigorously into the corners in sport mode - which delays the intervention of the various stability and safety features until the very last minute - and the back tail sweeps out, but it's a progressive pendulum movement, not the sudden, out-of-control antics of some sports models.
IT'S AS POTENT AS THE EUROPEANS, but perhaps a little more refined and a little more forgiving. You get the impression you could give its rivals a serious run for their money but it's the IS-F driver who will be calm and collected in the pitlane after the race. It doesn't really do white-knuckle rides. That's perhaps its most unique quality, creating its own unique identity.
There are a few downsides to this first attempt. The interior remains rather cramped, particularly in the back. It also lacks enough signature traits to distinguish it from the regular version. The brakes, while impressive when fully applied, are not as gripping in the initial engagement as some rivals. They're very good brakes; but could be a little sharper.
My final qualm would be that on some of the uneven local roads, the firm suspension didn't seem to give us a complete connection with the road, while the steering is still not as informative as the car that for us would be the benchmark: Audi's RS4.
Some eight years after it introduced its 3-Series rival, Lexus is out to steal some of the lustre from the German's halo model. While it's not the hard-core offering we might have expected, that in itself gives the IS-F its unique character in this competition. Perhaps the most incredible feature is that it such a credible competitor against a trio of German supercars that have had decades of development and are created by fully fledged performance divisions. While Lexus claims this car had a dedicated team working on it, there is no real F Division within the brand for now, and any future models will depend on the welcome this car receives.
As a first attempt then, it's truly phenomenal what Lexus has achieved.
For those who want something a little different, the IS-F will stand out from the crowd, not least because of the limited supply - only 15 will come to Ireland this year. The supply constraints, along with the Lexus reputation for reliability, should also keep used prices rock solid.
It might have none of the pedigree of its German rivals, but it's certainly on the starting grid alongside them. That's more than can be said for a host of other wannabes over the years. While we await the much previewed LF-A supercar from Lexus, this is their sports option. And it's a car capable of biting at the heels of the established models.
FACTFILE
ENGINE: 4,969cc V8, 32v dual VVT-I; 423bhp @ 6,600rpm and 505Nm of torque @ 5,200rpm; 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift and manual mode
PERFORMANCE: top speed: 270km/h; 0-100km/h: 4.8 secs
CO2 EMISSIONS (COMB): 270 g/km
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Urban: 16.8 L/100km
Extra-urban: 8.3 L/100km
Combined: 11.4 L/100km
CO2 EMISSIONS (COMB): 270 g/km
ON SALE: April (only 15 are due for Ireland with initial orders already for 10)
PRICE: Unconfirmed but estimated at €106,000