2008 Lexus IS-F Test Drive
June 23, 2008 by Malcolm
Filed under Automotive, Lexus, Magazine Articles, Test Drives
The all-new 2008 Lexus IS F high-performance sedan is the first Lexus to wear the brand’s ‘F’ marquee, and is the fastest Lexus production car ever built. Based on the robust IS sport sedan platform, the IS F delivers 416hp from a specially engineered 5.0 liter V8 engine giving it the power to accelerate to 60mph in just 4.6 sec. and hit a top speed of 170 mph. This potent all-aluminum V8 engine features a dual air intake system, high-flow cylinder heads with titanium valves designed by Yamaha, VVT with intelligence, and an electrically controlled intake cam. You’ll love the loud, throaty roar when you mash your foot on the throttle and get kicked back into your seat.
The engine is mated to the world’s first eight-speed Sport Direct-Shift automatic transmission with a quick and direct special lock up clutch, and a control system that enables ultra-quick manual up-shifts (0.1 sec.), and blips the throttle for precision down-shifts. You can shift manually using either the console shifter or steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters when driving in either Drive mode (D) or Manual mode (M).
