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Lexus IS F confirmed with 417hp under the bonnet

Lexus IS F confirmed with 417hp under the bonnet

Viknesh Vijayenthiran October 4th, 2007 Viknesh Vijayenthiran By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Author October 4th, 2007
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December 31st, 1969 Despite Lexus showing off its new sports sedan back in January at the Detroit Auto Show the company has been surprisingly tight-lipped about the number of horses kicking under the hood. However, today’s Japanese launch of the IS F allowed to officially state the figures as well as other details it hasn’t revealed before. The 5.0L V8 will develop 417hp (311kW) at 5,500rpm and 504Nm (372lb-ft) of torque, putting the IS F squarely in the same region as the BMW M3 and Audi RS4, its main competitors. The engine will be mated to an 8-speed paddle-shift gearbox based on the one found in the LS460. Lexus has modified the transmission to offer a “M” mode for fast acceleration in first gear, while potentially limiting any damage caused by careless driving. The gearbox will also blip the throttle during downshifts to avoid jolts. The IS F has also had numerous suspension modifications, including new springs, shock absorbers, stabilizers tuned for the performance car. Sitting on 19in tires, the IS F uses large-diameter, wide 225/40R19 tires at the front and 255/35R19 tires at the rear for gripping the road and also gets a performance brake package. Top speed is estimated by Lexus to be over 185mph, though the IS F will be limited to just 180km/h in its home market. Tellingly, the company forecasts just 500 sales a year in Japan but expects to sell over 5,000 in the U.S.
Lexus IS F confirmed with 417hp under the bonnet

Lexus IS F confirmed with 417hp under the bonnet

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Despite Lexus showing off its new sports sedan back in January at the Detroit Auto Show the company has been surprisingly tight-lipped about the number of horses kicking under the hood. However, today’s Japanese launch of the IS F allowed to officially state the figures as well as other details it hasn’t revealed before. The 5.0L V8 will develop 417hp (311kW) at 5,500rpm and 504Nm (372lb-ft) of torque, putting the IS F squarely in the same region as the BMW M3 and Audi RS4, its main competitors.

The engine will be mated to an 8-speed paddle-shift gearbox based on the one found in the LS460. Lexus has modified the transmission to offer a “M” mode for fast acceleration in first gear, while potentially limiting any damage caused by careless driving. The gearbox will also blip the throttle during downshifts to avoid jolts. The IS F has also had numerous suspension modifications, including new springs, shock absorbers, stabilizers tuned for the performance car. Sitting on 19in tires, the IS F uses large-diameter, wide 225/40R19 tires at the front and 255/35R19 tires at the rear for gripping the road and also gets a performance brake package.

Top speed is estimated by Lexus to be over 185mph, though the IS F will be limited to just 180km/h in its home market. Tellingly, the company forecasts just 500 sales a year in Japan but expects to sell over 5,000 in the U.S.

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Posted in: 2008, Lexus, News, Sedans, IS F


Comments (7 total)

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  1. By John #1, Posted: 10/4/2007

    Limited to 180km/h WHAT!!?? tell me that is a typo.....

  2. By admin #2, Posted: 10/4/2007

    It'll only be limited to 180km/h in Japan. Lexus hasn't announced figures for outside yet.

  3. By Gus #3, Posted: 10/4/2007

    Wow, what a cool car. I'm sure it's a hoot to drive!
    But I'd rather have an s2000... :)

  4. By HECTOR #4, Posted: 10/4/2007

    Am I the only one that thinks that this car isn't a threat AT ALL to the M3 or RS4?

    I love Lexus - the self made brand for the self made man - but in this case I think they're trying to hard... and missing the point...

    Maybe it's just me though.

  5. By biturbo #5, Posted: 10/4/2007

    Competitor to M3 and RS4?? That's a joke, is it?

    Some real bad things on the IS-F:
    1. Torque converter slush-box (heavy, big losses, slow changes, no fun to drive)
    2. Heavy. No figure published but I predict is heavier than the M3
    3. Ugly
    4. Boring, it's a Lexus after all :)

  6. By Ayax #6, Posted: 10/4/2007

    2. Heavy. No figure published but I predict is heavier than the M3
    3. Ugly
    4. Boring, it’s a Lexus after all :)

    1. I'll give you that.
    2. No figures cant really speculate on it but its likely to be true.
    3. I happen to think its sweet looking. Def better than most of the things out there at this time.
    4. Boring?..... thats your personal way of thinking.

  7. By paul #7, Posted: 10/5/2007

    wow..nicee

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