Curb Zone - View Single Post - Official Lexus IS-F Thread (Pics & Info)

PC Valkyrie · 01-08-2007, 09:48 AM

Interesting read, although I await more details about its technical features.

A few points:

1) I agree with the majority here that the restyled front end is more of a negative than a postive, IMO. That raised bonnet looks bulky.

2) 5.0L V8 making > 400HP and 350 lb-ft torque is nice. That's about 475 Nm, if my calculations are right.

3) The release seems to emphasize quite a bit about the 8 speed automatic transmission. This is in direct competition with AMG's Speedshift 7 speed automatic tranmission. Yes, it will stand out being the only 8 speed in this segment of cars. The most impressive thing is it will automatically blip the throttle before downshifts. So far, no AMG automatic transmission will do that while in Manual mode. However, the comments about torque converter lockup starting in 2nd gear are not that impressive. AMG Speedshift transmissions have offerred torque converter lockup starting in 1st gear since 2003. As such, it is likely the Lexus will suffer from more drivetrain losses than the AMG competition when when accelerating in 1st gear.

4) 0-60mph will happen in LESS than 4.9 seconds is the claim. Mercedes USA claimed the old C55 could do 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds. I'm sure the figure from Lexus is a conservative one. I expect the 0-60 run in the mid 4's, if it is going to be a legitimate threat to the new M3, new C63, and current RS4.

5) Being an automatic transmission car, the one car it could seriously threaten is the upcoming C63. I doubt people will buy the Lexus if their heart is on the RS4 or upcoming M3, both of which do not/unlikley to offer automatic transmissions. And knowing Lexus, they will price this car significnatly lower than their German competitors, making it seem like a good deal.

01-08-2007, 09:48 AM	#15 (permalink)
PC Valkyrie Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 497 Thanks: 0 Thanked 187 Times in 84 Posts	Re: Official: performance car from Lexus IS-F Interesting read, although I await more details about its technical features. A few points: 1) I agree with the majority here that the restyled front end is more of a negative than a postive, IMO. That raised bonnet looks bulky. 2) 5.0L V8 making > 400HP and 350 lb-ft torque is nice. That's about 475 Nm, if my calculations are right. 3) The release seems to emphasize quite a bit about the 8 speed automatic transmission. This is in direct competition with AMG's Speedshift 7 speed automatic tranmission. Yes, it will stand out being the only 8 speed in this segment of cars. The most impressive thing is it will automatically blip the throttle before downshifts. So far, no AMG automatic transmission will do that while in Manual mode. However, the comments about torque converter lockup starting in 2nd gear are not that impressive. AMG Speedshift transmissions have offerred torque converter lockup starting in 1st gear since 2003. As such, it is likely the Lexus will suffer from more drivetrain losses than the AMG competition when when accelerating in 1st gear. 4) 0-60mph will happen in LESS than 4.9 seconds is the claim. Mercedes USA claimed the old C55 could do 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds. I'm sure the figure from Lexus is a conservative one. I expect the 0-60 run in the mid 4's, if it is going to be a legitimate threat to the new M3, new C63, and current RS4. 5) Being an automatic transmission car, the one car it could seriously threaten is the upcoming C63. I doubt people will buy the Lexus if their heart is on the RS4 or upcoming M3, both of which do not/unlikley to offer automatic transmissions. And knowing Lexus, they will price this car significnatly lower than their German competitors, making it seem like a good deal.