Whoops! Lexus accidentally releases images of IS-F on web
We're almost dead certain that Lexus will unveil the IS-F, a very high-performance version of its IS-Series sedan, in Detroit next week. Regardless of whether it does or not, we've been treated to a sneak preview of the car thanks to an online advertisement that's been released revealing the entire car, albeit in low resolution. The ad tells us the car will have 400+ horsepower from a 5.0-liter V8 and reach 60 mph in under five seconds. This is certainly the most performance-oriented Lexus vehicle to touch rubber to road, and we're eager to find out if Lexus could suppress it's natural inclination to dampen this car to death. Check out the animated by clicking here.
[Source: Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DarkKnight67 8:41AM (1/04/2007)
Accident my backside ... this is Toyota's convenient attempt to generate interest in their version of AMG/M-Series/V-Series and every other hotted up sedan and coupe around. Since they've never touched on this market before, it will be interesting to see how well their performance setup works and endures.
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Cory 9:39AM (1/04/2007)
That care looks awesome.
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bob 10:08AM (1/04/2007)
i don't like the styling... it's too blurry. is that paint called fuzzy blue? :-)
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Richard 10:06AM (1/04/2007)
Gonna be VERY nose heavy I would bet.
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Quattrofan 10:09AM (1/04/2007)
This is suppose to be RS4/M3 fighter? Heck, its always nice to start a day with a chuckle.
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Howard Kerr 10:11AM (1/04/2007)
I hope ALL the other folks that dissed Jaguar yesterday for getting ONLY 420 horepower from it's supercharged 4.2 liter read this. Mighty Toyota builds a "very-high performance" engine....and gets 400+ horsepower out of a 5 liter engine (admittedly, NOT super or turbocharged).
By the way, I have ever cared for the SC430 front end treatment...it looks worse applied here.
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Chris 10:19AM (1/04/2007)
I thought I read somewhere the new high-end Lexus allows you to disable the traction/stability control?
Chris
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jon benson 10:21AM (1/04/2007)
#3 it'll probably be mid-mounted front engined like say the 350z so not that bad weight distribution.
#6 comparing a blown engine to an NA engine is like comparing apples to sheep.
My bet is this will be a very capable GT but everyone will bitch about it because it can't do sub 8minute laps at the 'ring.
Don't forget Lexus' target market.
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hennescrewed 10:40AM (1/04/2007)
I bet its automatic only
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biturbo 11:15AM (1/04/2007)
Lexus IS-F will be no sports car.
Here are the reasons:
* automatic transmission only, and an antiquated torque converter based no less
* too heavy and most likely nose heavy
* isolates the driver from the outside world, too much sound-proofing, too many electronic nanies, too much comfort-oriented
* slower than similarly powered competitors, because Lexus cares too much about comfort
Cheap predictions? Wait and see...
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turbofireball 11:23AM (1/04/2007)
No wing or tail in the back? No power bulge in the hood? Rear wheel/tire combo smaller than the front? Front air inlets that don't line up with each other? All that plus a blurry image = BAD PHOTOCHOP!
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diablo 11:56AM (1/04/2007)
Why do you say slower than similarly power competitors? The Lexus IS350 is already faster than the S4 even though the Audi makes 35 more HP...
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Habs 12:07PM (1/04/2007)
For all you Toyota lovers. This car is but Ugly.....
You all complain so much when GM and FORD show new products. I would have liked to see you response if this car was labeled Chevy or FORD...
P.S. they kind of took the head lights right off a Peugoet we are only missing the Lion...In any case the recalls will folow....
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JapH8r 12:05PM (1/04/2007)
Another jellybean turd to grace our streets and have all the magazines fawn over. Oh, I can't wait to see how many mags, and people, bend over to take it and make it seem like this is so wonderful
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Darren 12:35PM (1/04/2007)
Wow, no one has spotted the obvious? That is not a Lexus mistake... that is someone on the net that decided to put together their own little bogus ad. Wow, you guys fell for it.
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Um... no 10:32PM (1/04/2007)
>> Wow, no one has spotted the obvious? That is not a Lexus mistake... that is someone on the net that decided to put together their own little bogus ad.
No crap. That looks like a high school Flash project. There's no way in hell that came from any professional source, including Toyota. That doesn't fit the look of the Lexus marketing scheme at all.
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Alex 12:50PM (1/04/2007)
Uh, that was not from Lexus. Look how clear the Text is and how poor the image is. THe wheels don't even sync with the car. My flash animations in 7th grade looks better than that.
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bgdc 12:59PM (1/04/2007)
Wow, 5 second 0-60 with 420 hp! Golly that's impressive...in 1998. The 335i with 300 hp is consistently running 4.8s with an automatic! Hmmm, 60k for an IS-F...seems like it'll be just as overpriced and underperforming as the IS350.
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Lexus videos 1:32PM (1/04/2007)
The nose seems to be too long.
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MikeW 2:15PM (1/04/2007)
8 speed automatic?
The torque converter in MB 7g-tronic locks up from a standstill. This helps the launch because the flash stall is eliminated, which would result wheel spin otherwise.
The 8 speed auto would/should do the same.
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