RE: Lexus IS F: Spotted

[ZX10R NIN]

The Lexus in isolation is a torquey V8 & even when compared to the RS4 & E90 M3 (all three have there peak torque high up the rev range) where it comes up short is when it's compared to the 6.2 AMG offering or 6.2 Ford/GM V8's.

[Heaveho]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Lexus in isolation is a torquey V8 & even when compared to the RS4 & E90 M3 (all three have there peak torque high up the rev range) where it comes up short is when it's compared to the 6.2 AMG offering or 6.2 Ford/GM V8's.

Which might reasonably be expected given the shortfall in capacity?

[unsprung]

ZX10R NIN said:

One of the things we did miss out on in the UK was the cooking IS350 which I think was a chance missed by Lexus.

Once upon a time, I almost bought that car. Many things to praise about it, not least its affordability.

On having to "miss out" in the UK... Some possibly ill-informed guesses: the 3.5-litre V6 too large? total sales would be niche, yet buyers would require more hp and more aggressive suspension than is available? the brand has less appeal among company fleets? (company purchases being a not insignificant presence in the UK market)

[mrfunex]

Kahnufeeleet said:

Are you suggesting that V8 engines cannot be designed/tuned for different torque curves e.g. more in the lower range of RPM which is typical for more luxury orientated cars like Lexus GS? Or else what's the point of your outrage?

Calm down. I didn’t suggest anything of the sort.

[Olivera]

At least this is a later model with the locking rear diff. The earlier versions had an absolute poop open diff, a joke for an M/AMG rival.

[mrfunex]

Olivera said:

At least this is a later model with the locking rear diff. The earlier versions had an absolute poop open diff, a joke for an M/AMG rival.

The earlier models had an electronic “LSD” whereby the spinning wheel would have the brake applied to kill wheelspin. This is opposed to the better TVD system on the GSF/RCF and (now, 10 years on) many other cars where the power is shifted to the wheel with more grip. A subtle difference, but an improvement nevertheless.

Having charged about a wet race circuit in mine (an ‘08 without a mechanical LSD) as well as having driven a newer model, I’d say the difference isn’t as big as people say. Unless of course you like doing donuts, or more likely the residuals.

Edited by mrfunex on Saturday 7th April 19:00

[andy43]

mrfunex said:

Olivera said:

At least this is a later model with the locking rear diff. The earlier versions had an absolute poop open diff, a joke for an M/AMG rival.

The earlier models had an electronic “LSD” whereby the spinning wheel would have the brake applied to kill wheelspin. This is opposed to the better TVD system on the GSF/RCF and (now, 10 years on) many other cars where the power is shifted to the wheel with more grip. A subtle difference, but an improvement nevertheless.

Having charged about a wet race circuit in mine (an ‘08 without a mechanical LSD) as well as having driven a newer model, I’d say the difference isn’t as big as people say. Unless of course you like doing donuts, or more likely the residuals.

Edited by mrfunex on Saturday 7th April 19:00

Not that much of a joke - AMG equivalents of the time didn’t have diffs either, unless they had the optional performance pack.

[ZX10R NIN]

Heaveho said:

ZX10R NIN said:

The Lexus in isolation is a torquey V8 & even when compared to the RS4 & E90 M3 (all three have there peak torque high up the rev range) where it comes up short is when it's compared to the 6.2 AMG offering or 6.2 Ford/GM V8's.

Which might reasonably be expected given the shortfall in capacity?

No it's fully down to the CC it's also down to the way those companies designed their engines & the engine characteristics they wanted from their respective cars. You can build a torquey 4.0 V8 but you won't get an engine that chases revs in the way that the RS4/M3/IS-F do which is something that adds to the theatre of driving them.

[Shiv_P]

Olivera said:

At least this is a later model with the locking rear diff. The earlier versions had an absolute poop open diff, a joke for an M/AMG rival.

What and the C63 came as standard with a locking diff?

Oh yeah, it didn't

[briang9]

C6 RS6 Avant gives you V10 with 572BHP for similar money and space to take rubbish to the tip as well

[SidewaysSi]

briang9 said:

C6 RS6 Avant gives you V10 with 572BHP for similar money and space to take rubbish to the tip as well

But to drive they are crap beyond belief.

[JoshMay]

Just can’t stop thinking of them as Alan Partridge Mobiles.

Wouldn’t be seen dead in one, give me a bag -stormer any day!

[briang9]

SidewaysSi said:

But to drive they are crap beyond belief.

Not in my experience I have to say, or indeed that of the many well respected reviewers when it came out.. have you driven one..or just being a smart arse on T'internet?

Edited by briang9 on Saturday 7th April 23:03

[kuro]

A client where I work turned up in one of these a while back. I had no idea they existed until then. The giveaway was the fantastic sound it made. Unfortunately it was in a bit of a state and looked like it had never been cleaned.

[Al U]

Haven't read all the comments so apologies if it has already been said but,

Fake exhausts on a performance car? It's a no from me based on that alone.

[anonymous-user]

briang9 said:

SidewaysSi said:

But to drive they are crap beyond belief.

Not in my experience I have to say, or indeed that of the many well respected reviewers when it came out.. have you driven one..or just being a smart arse on T'internet?

Edited by briang9 on Saturday 7th April 23:03

They are two different beasts.

The RS6 isn’t “crap to drive” but then the ISF delivers it’s power like a hammer rather than the Audi’s ‘bahn stormer drive so they are completely different. It’s like RS4 vs RS6. The RS6 is a massive family car but also very fast while the RS4 and ISF are more sports car like.

[paul99]

Al U said:

Haven't read all the comments so apologies if it has already been said but,

Fake exhausts on a performance car? It's a no from me based on that alone.

Don't most Mercedes and Lamborghini's and many other Supercars have 'fake' tips now?

The standard exhaust still has 4 pipes on it and a lot of the aftermarket exhausts replicate the original design if it bothered you that much, to discount a car on that basis alone seems a bit dim.

Edited by paul99 on Sunday 8th April 00:35

[ericmcn]

HardMiles said:

A lot of money for a not very dynamic package. An e92 m3 would cost you less and also has 420bhp from a v8, that also revs to 8000rpm? And it’ll handle.

Plus, I’ve just treated myself to a 4.2xkr with a few mods, it’ll produce 476bhp for less than half that cost.... mmmm

what year is your Jag? so hardly fair to say its half the price - you can get a much older ISF for less if you are so inclined.

The ISF is a very understated car - what with every man and his dog in the UK buying the usual suspects from Germany it will stick out like a sore thumb on most roads, if you spot one.

[ericmcn]

Al U said:

Haven't read all the comments so apologies if it has already been said but,

Fake exhausts on a performance car? It's a no from me based on that alone.

Have you been to specsavers? you would be pretty dissapointed in nearly all cars nowadys if thats the case.

[Heaveho]

I'm going to stick my neck out and say that I think way less than half the contributors to this thread have driven the subject of it. And yet, seem to think they know all about it. Clueless, most of the people on this thread.