add site
services
publishers
database
health videos
toolbar
stats
live show
health store
more stuff
JOIN/LOGIN
| advertise add site services publishers database health videos
| | about toolbar stats live show health store more stuff JOIN/LOGIN |
The Lexus IS F is a high performance version of the Lexus IS series of sport luxury cars. It is the first vehicle in the F marque line of performance vehicles from Lexus.[1] The first generation IS F, model code USE20, premiered at the North American International Auto Show in January 2007. The IS F features a larger, more powerful engine than standard IS models, improved suspension and brakes, body design enhancements, and other vehicle changes. The IS F sports 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 4.6 seconds.[2] The vehicle went on sale for late 2007 in Japan, in early 2008 in the United States,[3] and in Europe in 2008.
[edit] DevelopmentIn 2006, several automotive publications reported on rumors of a higher performance variant of the IS being tested at various stages of development. Spy photos of such a vehicle being tested in Germany and California were published in several magazines and websites. Among these spy reports, several photos were shown of a heavily modified and camouflaged IS sedan at the Nürburgring test track in Germany along with other disguised Lexus test vehicles. The previous generation IS 430 prototype vehicle was indicative of future possibilities for the IS series, including the likelihood that a second generation high-performance IS model could come equipped with a V8 engine. It was rumored that there would be a coupe and a convertible version for a 2009 model, as well as a convertible version of the V8-powered IS. [Note: Lexus dropped the hyphen in official press documents as of vehicle launch, referring to it as IS F. Several media sites continue to use the hyphen in error.[4] ]  On 6 December 2006, Lexus officially confirmed the existence of the vehicle which they called IS F in the press release.[5] At the North American International Auto Show on January 8, 2007, the new IS F was debuted to the public along with the LF-A supercar concept. Images were leaked a couple of hours before the official announcement.[6] At its press debut, Lexus revealed that a separate "skunk works" team designed the IS F in a manner distinct from typical Lexus engineering efforts. The chief designer of the IS F, Yukihiko Yaguchi, previously worked on the Toyota Supra.  In October 2007, the IS F premiered in Japan, with a 500-unit yearly target for that country, and a 5,000-6,000 yearly unit target for the U.S. market.[7] Top speed was listed at 168 mph (270 km/h).[7] An earlier Autoweek item had speculated that Lexus may build only 1,000 IS Fs for the US market,[8] and also suggested that the vehicle would have a top speed of 320 km/h (200 mph) (contradicting the generally accepted standard for this automotive class), which led automotive news sites to question the accuracy of their information.[9][10][11] In 2007, the head of Lexus GB stated in an interview that 150 IS Fs would be allocated for the UK market.[12] For 2008, the IS F carried a base price of US$56,000. [edit] Overview[edit] EngineThe Lexus IS F features a 5.0 L direct-injected 2UR-GSE V8 producing 416 SAE hp (423 PS, 311 kW) at 6600 rpm, while peak torque is 371 ft·lbf (503 N·m) at 5200 rpm.[13] The engine also features a two-stage intake system, engine oil and automatic transmission fluid coolers and an oil pump designed for high-speed cornering. Along with both port and direct injection, the engine features VVT-iE camshaft timing, and has a compression ratio of 11:8:1.[14]  The 2UR-GSE is derived from the Lexus UR-series V8 engines, which first debuted as the 1UR-FSE on the 2007 Lexus LS 460.[14] Of the UR-series V8s, the 2UR-GSE is most closely related to the 2UR-FSE used in the 2008 LS 600h, and features the same bore and stroke dimensions.[14] However, extensive modifications carried out by the IS F engineering team in conjunction with Yamaha's Formula One (F1) engine program resulted in a cast-aluminum intake manifold, new cylinder heads, and titanium intake valves.[14]
Compared with the LS 600h's 2UR-FSE (measured alone without its hybrid-electric motors), the IS F 2UR-GSE has more horsepower and torque at higher rpm, and 17 ft·lbf less torque.[14] At maximum acceleration above 3400 rpm, the secondary intake opens.[15] [edit] TransmissionThe Lexus IS F features an 8-speed Sport Direct Shift (SPDS) automatic transmission with sequential shift. The SPDS is derived from the unit introduced in the 2007 Lexus LS, which was the first vehicle to carry an 8-speed transmission.[16] The SPDS allows for shifts to occur in 0.1 s (100 ms),[17] compared to 0.05 s (50 ms) of F1 race cars.[18] The wheel-mounted paddle shifters allow for gear shifting while steering, and a manual mode can be selected for added control. The 8-speed transmission also improves fuel economy,[19] with lower overall consumption than BMW, Mercedes, and Audi rivals.[17][19] The drivetrain is linked to a new sport version of Lexus' electronic stability control system (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, or VDIM, featuring three distinct on-off modes).[20] For 2010, the IS F added a Torsen limited-slip differential.[21] The Lexus IS F transmission gear ratios are as follows:[22]
 [edit] Exterior and interiorThe Lexus IS F comes equipped with Brembo cross-drilled disk brakes stamped with the Lexus emblem, along with 19-inch BBS forged aluminum alloy wheels. The vehicle body was lowered by 1 cm (0.5 inches) compared to the standard IS.[23] The hood features a bulged appearance, with sharper curve than the standard IS,[24] due to the added space needed to contain the 5.0 L V8 engine.  The exterior also features a wire-mesh grille, changed side fenders and skirts, along with side air vents.[24] Noticeable about the pre-production IS F's design were its faux quad exhaust tailpipes consisting of two vertically stacked exhaust tips on each side that did not directly connect to the actual exhaust pipes (part of bumper), the production Ferrari California shares a similar setup;[1][25] and the U.S. production models however had fully connected exhaust tips.[26] The interior features a four-passenger cabin with carbon-fiber panels, steering wheel paddle shifters, and F marque emblems. The IS F also features different seating, with bucket seats in front and rear.[24] In 2010, the IS F received standard iPod/USB connectivity, Bluetooth streaming audio capability, casual language voice commands, and standard XM Satellite Radio.[21] [edit] PerformanceOfficial and tested performance specifications for the Lexus IS F are as follows:
Road & Track tested the IS F in their January 2008 issue, attaining a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.4 seconds, a slalom speed of 71.2 mph (114.6 km/h) (0.3 mph (0.48 km/h) and an electronically limited top speed of 170 mph (270 km/h).[24] Car and Driver also tested the IS F in 2008 and achieved a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds.[19] It is also rumored that the IS F can break 200 mph (320 km/h) without the electronic limiter.[32] British television show Top Gear tested the Lexus IS F against the BMW M3. The time for the IS F was of 1’26.9, compared to the M3's time of 1’25.3 around their test track.[33] [edit] Motorsport In 2009, Gazoo Racing produced a Lexus IS F VLN racing vehicle, which was entered in the SP8 class of the ADAC-Westfalenfahrt VLN 4h endurance race. The vehicle finished second to the team's Lexus LF-A in the race.[34] The IS F VLN racer was also entered in the 2009 24 Hours Nürburgring race and finished third in the SP8 class.[35] The IS F was also later entered in the DMV Grenzlandrennen VLN 4h endurance race in August 2009 where it won the SP8 class.[36] In Gazoo's win at the DMV Grenzlandrennen VLN race in August 29, 2009,[36] Kazunori Yamauchi, the developer of Gran Turismo series who had little experience in actual motorsport, was also one of their drivers,[37] along with Peter Lyon and Hideshi Matsuda.[36] [edit] Special modelsIn October 2007, Lexus announced a 50-unit limited edition Neiman Marcus edition IS F. Priced at US$68,000, the Neiman Marcus edition had a custom black with white accented interior with exterior black color. Each vehicle was individually numbered, and the owner also received a training session at the Skip Barber Racing School.[38]  Aftermarket tuners such as Wald[39] and FiveAxis have also produced special IS F models. In 2009, the police force of Humberside county, UK acquired Lexus IS F models for police cruiser duty, following as 12-month period of testing along with similar vehicles. The vehicles, selected for their performance chassis and electronic platform capabilities, were named IS-Force models.[40]  [edit] IS F EvolutionBest Car magazine reported a higher performance version of IS F called IS F Evolution, which includes weight reduction (-300lbs), handling mods and brake upgrades. Front and rear bumpers, along with the front fenders, are replaced by carbon fiber parts. It uses 245/35R19 front and 275/30R19 tires, carbon ceramic brakes. Interior also incorporates carbon fiber parts and Recaro racing seats.[41] [edit] AwardsIn November 2008, the Lexus IS F was named Best New Sports / Performance Car over CDN$50,000 for the year by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).[42] In October 2008, the IS F received a Good Design Award from the Japanese Industrial Design organization.[43] In 2008, Evo's test of the IS F awarded the vehicle the magazine's highest rating of five stars.[44] That same year, CAR magazine named the IS F as a finalist for its Performance Car of the Year award.[45] [edit] IS F Track TimeIn March 2008, Atari released the freeware computer game, Lexus IS F Track Time. [1] The program was created in partnership with Lexus and based on the IS F production model specifications.[46] Designed by Image Space Incorporated (ISI) using their rFactor computer racing simulator software, the program allows users to configure and race the IS F. Three race courses are offered, namely Orchard Lake (an oval and road course), Toban Raceway (a road course), and Essington Park, Lienz (a mountain road and rally course).[46] The software incorporates artificial intelligence modeling of competing vehicles, and its physics engine simulates actual driving conditions.[47] [edit] References
[edit] External links
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ↑ top of page ↑ | about thumbshots |
