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Lexus IS-F (IS500)

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Old Jan 9, 2007 | 09:39 AM
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Lexus IS-F (IS500)

Autoweek site says that Lexus claims a 200 mph top speed for this car.

It has a 5.0L V8 with "at least 400 hp and 350 lbft", coupled to an 8 speed automatic. Sounds pretty nice (if you can forgive the no manual transmission situation).

Looks like it gets some unique bodywork relative to the base IS250/350. I don't know about 200 mph, though, unless that "at least 400 hp" really means 500+ hp.





They also show a link for the Lexus LF-A concept car. Isn't this the one with the V10? It seems like the images aren't loading currently, but Autoblog has some. Neither site has the press release posted yet, as far as I've seen.

Last edited by 96_Camaro_B4C; Jan 9, 2007 at 09:42 AM.
Old Jan 9, 2007 | 10:06 AM
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Yup, this is the one I've been saying was coming for the last year or so now except at times people thought it would be the IS460 - then the IS500 came about. It's basically the same engine as found in the LS600h, except without the hybrid system, and with some massaging by Yamaha.

Personally I will be pretty disappointed if it's not substantially over 400hp... the standard 4.6L V8 in the LS460 is already 380hp... this is .4L larger in displacement, plus worked over by yamaha - if all that gains is, say, 30hp (410hp)... I'd be really surprised. I think most expectations were for 450hp, but I guess 425 would still be acceptible considering the M3 has 400 and the RS4 has 425 and those are likely a good bit more expensive, too.

But of course then you have the CTS-V @ 500+hp which makes a strong value proposition assuming they keep the price pretty close to what it was last go round.

I personally don't mind the lack of a manual... when you start getting to such a large amount of power in a sport lux car... an automatic is fine, especially with as many ratios and as quick of shifting as the 8-speed offers.
Old Jan 9, 2007 | 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Threxx
Personally I will be pretty disappointed if it's not substantially over 400hp... the standard 4.6L V8 in the LS460 is already 380hp... this is .4L larger in displacement, plus worked over by yamaha - if all that gains is, say, 30hp (410hp)... I'd be really surprised. I think most expectations were for 450hp, but I guess 425 would still be acceptible considering the M3 has 400 and the RS4 has 425 and those are likely a good bit more expensive, too.
This is what I thought, too. With 380hp from the 4.6, I'd be surprised if this one didn't reach 425-450 hp.
But of course then you have the CTS-V @ 500+hp which makes a strong value proposition assuming they keep the price pretty close to what it was last go round.
Indeed. Again, though, the new CTS (like the old one) is a bit larger/heavier than the 3 and IS, almost 5 Series sized. So it will be interesting to see how that plays out. Actually, with the CTS now getting a little wider, it is not too far behind the STS (sort of how I view the G35 vs. M35). But anyway...
I personally don't mind the lack of a manual... when you start getting to such a large amount of power in a sport lux car... an automatic is fine, especially with as many ratios and as quick of shifting as the 8-speed offers.
Honestly, that would be tempting even for me. I'm all about manuals in cars, but these new 6+ speed autos would make for a very smooth ride while still being able to exert some manual control. Seems like 8 speeds would be quite a few to tap through with paddles or the shift lever though! Envision that as an actual manual... triple H pattern...
Old Jan 9, 2007 | 04:35 PM
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200mph might be possible, but I'm not sure it'd be aerodynamic enough to feel stable at that speed.
Regardless, I don't even like this car style-wise (after seeing it in person). Does it come in a coupe version as well?
Old Jan 9, 2007 | 05:17 PM
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looks like someone drove the front of a lexus onto a viper lower front end..eekkk
Old Jan 9, 2007 | 09:22 PM
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Cool looking car. Bad color.
Threxx, what is the Lexus that is selling for over $100k?

Last edited by number77; Jan 9, 2007 at 09:24 PM.
Old Jan 9, 2007 | 09:29 PM
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I think 200 MPH is really pushing it. Not that this is related but if the car gets to 60 mph in "less than" 4.9 sec it wouldn't seem to be strong enough to get near 200. 200 mph is a very hard number to hit. Z06's and Vipers can't do it and they certainly have the power to weight ratio. To hit 200 you need a slick aero body, perfect gearing, and abundant power to push that kind of wind. I just don't see a 4 door sedan getting to that speed with the claimed power and acceleration Toyota claims, even with 8 gears. 150-170 maybe unless they are sandbagging the numbers by 200hp.
Old Jan 9, 2007 | 10:33 PM
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RE: That 200 mph number. I'm wondering if Autoweek didn't simply muddle up some numbers between the IS-F and the LF-A (500hp V10 supercar concept). I only see a 180 mph marking on speedo in the IS-F, and Car and Driver's site says that the LF-A is supposed to hit 200 mph, which would make more sense given the type of car.

Damn this alphanumeric soup!

The Autoweek site (I just checked it again) says that "the car has a top speed of 200 mph and will run from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4.9 seconds, Lexus says." I also saw a banner ad on the CandD site for this new IS500, and it bragged about "over 400 hp", "5.0L V8", and "0-60 under 4.9 seconds", but didn't say anything about 200 mph.

I'm fairly certain that 200 mph claim is not for this car. 200 mph would be pretty outragous for a car of that type (considering they are often limited to 155 mph). And I don't think it would be capable anyway, with the sort of power numbers we are expecting. I'm chalking this up to an erroneous statement on AW's website.

Old Jan 10, 2007 | 12:04 AM
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Yeah there's no doubt that the IS-F would never crest the 200mph mark unless it had some serious work done. 400-450hp just isn't enough to push any sedan on the market that fast, no matter what kinda gearing and how aerodynamic it is.

Originally Posted by number77
Threxx, what is the Lexus that is selling for over $100k?
They don't sell a car over 100k... yet. The LS600h will be out very shortly and will crest the 100k mark by default as it comes with everything on the 93k dollar LS460L w/ executive package, plus a hybrid electric 5.0 liter V8 making ~450hp, AWD, CVT, LED headlamps, and a bunch more cool stuff...

The LF-A would no doubt be a 100+ thousand dollar car if it came out, too... but that's not even close to a sure thing yet. It's still just a concept at this point.
Old Jan 10, 2007 | 12:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Threxx
Yeah there's no doubt that the IS-F would never crest the 200mph mark unless it had some serious work done. 400-450hp just isn't enough to push any sedan on the market that fast, no matter what kinda gearing and how aerodynamic it is.



They don't sell a car over 100k... yet. The LS600h will be out very shortly and will crest the 100k mark by default as it comes with everything on the 93k dollar LS460L w/ executive package, plus a hybrid electric 5.0 liter V8 making ~450hp, AWD, CVT, LED headlamps, and a bunch more cool stuff...

The LF-A would no doubt be a 100+ thousand dollar car if it came out, too... but that's not even close to a sure thing yet. It's still just a concept at this point.
They've sold a couple of $100k Lexus cars in Houston. Maybe I should look into their names?
Old Jan 10, 2007 | 07:25 AM
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Originally Posted by number77
They've sold a couple of $100k Lexus cars in Houston. Maybe I should look into their names?
It's probabaly LS460 executive package cars with some dealer markup on them at or near launch when they could maybe get away with something like that.

Either that or 100k was including taxes and fees, since 93k + taxes, etc.. could easily be 100k.
Old Jan 11, 2007 | 12:22 AM
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For some reason, I remember a picture of a car that was maroon and has more body work changed from the 350. Am I crazy?
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