Detroit Auto Show: Lexus IS-F pics leaked!
The Lexus press conference doesn't begin until 11:25AM EST, but a few official pics of the luxury brand's new super sports sedan have been leaked onto the web already. The Lexus IS-F will take aim directly at high-performance sedans from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi using a 5.0-liter V8 producing 400 hp and 350 ft-lbs. of torque as its weapon of choice. Supporting that piece of hardware will be Brembo brakes with 14.2-inch discs, 19-inch BBS wheels, and, get this, the eight-speed automatic transmission from the Lexus LS460 but with paddle shifters to swap the oh-so-many cogs at a quicker pace. The car obviously sits lower on a sport-tuned suspension, while the front end gets a decidedly more aggressive expression from its new lower front fascia that incorporates a large lower grill and intakes for what appears to be brake cooling. New side skirts also spring upward behind the front wheels to create an air vent ahead of the doors. Out back a new lower rear bumper houses those staggered double-dual exhaust outlets, as well. We're quite impressed with the list of hardware Lexus is packing into the IS-F, especially considering they all add up to a 0-60 run in less than five seconds. Is the Lexus demographic ready, however, for a Lexus that looks like this?
There are two additional shots after the jump, including one of the interior. We will be in the front row at the official unveiling, so check back later for a huge gallery of high-res shots showing the IS-F from every angle.
[Source: Motor Authority]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Owen 8:34AM (1/08/2007)
All of that and it still comes with an automatic! That's dissapointing, they could at least have used a DSG of some sorts. That's great that it's 8 speeds and all, but that's just 8 more crappy shifts we'll be seeing and waiting for. I've never felt connected to a machine with a manumatic, I've resigned to almost feeling connected with the recent DSGs, but a manumatic is a joke. Looks nice though.
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DarkKnight67 2:14PM (1/08/2007)
BWAH-HA-HA-HA! Is this their idea of super performance and awesome styling. One of my students could draw something like that without any artistic talent. What is with the wing on the side? Looks like it's designed to direct bugs right on the side glass. I'm surprised they don't have a ten-foot tall one on the trunk to go with it. I'd take a V-Series, an AMG or M-car over this any day.
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Jim 8:40AM (1/08/2007)
Looks nice. It got wider.
It's using an auto paddle shifter because it's a world car, like BMW and Mercedes built for performance.
Only Americans have an obsession with a slow shifting manual for the sake of "control".
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Tom T. 9:10AM (1/08/2007)
I am loving those sculpted "air vents" in front of the doors and how that line runs back to the rear fender.
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Eric B 7:47AM (1/09/2007)
That hood bulge looks absolutely hideous.
And Jim, I'm Canadian, and I want a stick cuz autos never do what you want them to. And manuals teach you finesse driving that filters down to everything else you do to drive a car, making you a better driver. This is Lexus pandering to the lowest common denominator. If I want a computer to drive my car, I'll work in my own home.
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ATL 11:04PM (1/08/2007)
Does it come with an order of red beans? It's like they got the kid from the VW GTI ads to design it.
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Lauder 8:56AM (1/08/2007)
Now that is an unattractive dash, the center stack with all those small buttoms makes it look like it has pox. The exterior is not too bad but does look dated, part of that is because so many cars now look alike.
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Brian Richardson 5:07PM (1/08/2007)
Got Rice?
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Jeavis 11:03PM (1/12/2007)
Any information on the 2 door model?
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Sheth 5:48PM (1/08/2007)
This car looks terrible. The exterior is totally overdone and tacky. Why would they make a car this expensive look like a rice rocket? Stupid.
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frickalot 6:26PM (1/08/2007)
Wow... they sure managed to uglify a sweet car. And a SLUSHBOX in the sport verision? I guess they're looking for some grandpas to pick that one up....
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Indrek Siitan 10:28PM (1/08/2007)
These are Photoshopped images - check the mountains that are seen through the car in the 3/4 view. So I suppose we gotta wait 'til the official presentation to judge the looks and the specs.
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Drew 9:09AM (1/08/2007)
Do you guys really think it looks cool? I think it looks a bit "much..." y'know like that SNL skit where they made fun of antonio banderas (kris kataan) and they had a crowd of guys saying "no antonio....too much antonio!" whenever he threatened to take off his shirt every five minutes. I mean, the more I look at it, I kinda feel like it's a little too much rice rocket with those crazy side fenders and not enough "I paid a gazillion extra dollars for this rocket but you can't tell and I'm going to dust you" like you get in the M3/AMG.
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Scott 6:33PM (1/08/2007)
I *knew* it! A frickin slushbox. Lexus just doesn't have a clue about the performance market. So not only do the enthusiasts not get what they really want, but we're going to have to listen to the Lexus apologists say how the paddle shifting is actually better...AGAIN! I wonder if you can turn off the computer aids without some ridiculous 5 step procedure like the IS350. BTW, I believe that in countries like Germany, manuals are still the standard option on any car. Americans mostly prefer autos because as a group, we're lazy. It seems that only the enthusiasts prefer manuals still, a fact that Lexus has missed once again!
As for looks, I think it actually looks surprisingly bad. Like a riced-out IS350.
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Bruce 9:23AM (1/08/2007)
Wow. That's all I can come up with... wow... I can't wait to see it in Detroit.
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Michael Quinones 2:54PM (1/10/2007)
#2
I agree. Maybe we should of stuck with square wheels too, for better road feel. Times are changing, why stay with the old and slow, unless maybe you are...
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Jay Tee 9:29AM (1/08/2007)
"the eight-speed automatic transmission". Yawn... Yep, this proves again "Lexus" and "Sports" are mutually exclusive, as they've screwed up another attempt at a true sports sedan. I don't care about how great the engine or the suspension may be, but real sports sedans don't have slush boxes! Manual or bust!
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Blacknimbus 10:46PM (1/08/2007)
Looks like it sat out in the sun too long and melted.
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Dan from Delaware 9:40AM (1/08/2007)
It funny that Europeans used to bust on Americans because we "all" buy automatics and don't know how to drive a manual. That's changed: now they bust on Americans for prefering a manual over an automatic.
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SEedooos 7:34PM (1/09/2007)
wow. that side angle is really ugly.
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