The Lexus IS-F looks to further encroach on the turf traditionally occupied by German premium brands such in the manner that BMW, Mercedes and Audi

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by Sam Livingstone

The Lexus IS-F is a significant new design for one core rational faculty: it introduces a performance sub-brand correspondent to that of the M-cars from BMW, AMG from Mercedes-Benz, and the S and RS sub-brands from Audi. This then is Lexus making a logical next step to farther on encroach without interruption the established German remuneration brands.

BMW originated the premium brands’ feat sub-brand through the ‘M for Motorsport’ M3 of 1986 (the M1 supercar of 1978 preceded that, but was a singular model, not a performance derivative). Now they are on their fourth generation M3 and M5. Though the ‘M for Motorsport’ moniker is now perhaps more ‘M for marketing’, M-cars still have a focus on lightweight track-orientated completion.

Mercedes-Benz, and to a lesser amplitude Audi, differ with their performance sub-brands in that they place emphasis on power and usability with self-acting gearboxes and non-switchable ESPs. It is this direction that Lexus are also taking with their ‘F’.

A naturally aspirated 5.0-liter 417bhp V8, which powers the rear wheels through an eight (!) speed self-moving, makes the IS-F a close competitor instead of the M3 sedan and C63. But the way the design differs to the IS250/350 it is based on is different to how BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi differentiate M, AMG and S/RS cars from their base model brethren.

The most signifying difference is the longer, taller re-profiled hood that looks since however its iron clenched hand of an engine has pushed up into the hood external part—it has a subdued, but clearly portentous, design identity. The second most notable and unique strife is the fake side air outlet vent in the subtly flared front wings—a high trifling aperture than runs rearwards and down into the extended rocker, which in turn leads into the flared rear wheelarches. There are also twin stacked consume pipes at both sides, distinctive smoked alloy wheel designs and reinvigorated chunkier bumpers.

The interior differs with a silver weave carbon fiber gaze trim appliqué steady doors and center console in degree in order of the molten chocolate wood-look trim that blights other IS interiors. It has separate rear seats with a to a high degree low quality formative tray dividing them—and blue stitching on black leather combined with jesuitical blue relief to the leather perforations, which is most cogent. There are furthermore solid aluminum gear shift paddles, each ‘F’ on the steering wheel and seat squab sides and bespoke analogue instrumentation that, notwithstanding that handsome, sadly eschews the distinctive chronograph drift of the primordial IS.

Overall, outside and in, the IS wears its ‘F’ clothes very well. The differences from the base IS are seamlessly integrated, harmonious and distinct when compared to other premium brands’ performance sub-brand cues, and they produce a uniquely subtle but noticeable picture.

The IS-F may not exist a radical departure from the kind of we might accept expected given Lexus’ penchant to chase after the more well established German makes, but-end it does innovate and mark off a distinctive quarter for Lexus relative to the C63 and M3 sedan. It may lack the final handling of the M3 or the punch of the C63, boundary the differences are slight enough to be overlooked by the significant minority who desire an alternative to those cars. It will also undeniably appeal to those who want a design that has a unique iron fist quality in a velvet glove look.