Lexus IS F Part 1: Design Review

When the first Lexus appeared in 1989, the company's design language could best be described as, "Mercedes-Benz S-Class." It was easy to understand the reason why as the company had zero design heritage and a clearly defined target. Over the following years, Toyota's luxury division continued trying to define itself with mixed success. The Lexus SC400 of 1992 began to establish a Lexus look, but this "look" wasn't very clearly defined throughout the model range.

Fast forward to present day and we find a Lexus division that has clearly found itself – from a design standpoint. With the U.S. introduction of the IS 300 in 2000, the division delivered arguably the best designed, most clearly defined Lexus. Now, with the F version of the IS, the company continues to build on that success with a more aggressive and athletic look.

Taking the very well established formula of turning an everyday sedan into an autobahn terrorizing machine - thanks BMW M division - the IS F uses the base IS as a starting point and then fills it to the brim with 19" wheels, a wider front and rear track, new front and rear bumpers, and a heat-extracting side vent that runs into the rocker panel. There is also a new hood that surely proved to be the toughest challenge for the Lexus design team. Looking as if it just came back from a fight with an M3, the hood is swollen toward its leading edge in order to accept the taller LS-sourced V8 engine. The design team deserves credit here for tricking our eyes through the clever use of fading hood lines that do a decent job of disguising its larger profile. The transformation is completed with a small trunk spoiler and lastly, a controversial set of stacked exhaust outlets that seem to be a future performance-Lexus design element - although I hope not, as the look is more cheesy than sporting.

The only other slightly unsuccessful element in my opinion is the side vent. It starts out nicely, blending into the front fender with a simple part-line. But then it drops into the rocker panel a bit too far before it kinks up to run down to the rear wheel opening. It's supposed to add a dynamic element, but it appears weak as there isn’t enough surface below the crease line right at the kink. It looks more like an aftermarket add-on rather than a clean factory-designed piece. As its first foray into the performance sedan segment however, we can forgive Lexus a fault here and there. And to be fair, these are highly subjective design elements - what doesn't work for me, may work for you.

Overall, this new Lexus makes a strong, and successful, statement about the company's design language. There is beautiful sculpting of surfaces around the front air intakes that is similar to what we'll see in the upcoming LF A supercar. The DLO - which stands for day light opening and is design-speak for the side window graphics - is sporting in its low profile and overall shape. And the cars thick body side and short greenhouse give it an aggressive proportion that makes some of the other cars in this class look dated.

Lexus is definitely on to something here - creating its design heritage right before our eyes. And whether you love it or hate it - at least you will no longer be mistaking a Lexus for one of those cars with the three-pointed star on its hood.

Watch the video
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience
Read Part 3: Performance

Lexus IS F

Performance
- Acceleration: Supercar rivaling stats - ridiculously cool intake and exhaust noise
- Handling: Surprisingly stiff-riding for a Lexus, but it pays off - lack of limited-slip differential unforgivable
- Braking: Very vocal about being abused, but effective at all times

Design
- Exterior: Aggressive without going overboard - lose the silly exhaust and the played-out dark wheels
- Interior: Very dark - dash surfaces not very well defined - carbon-weave from PepBoys - not very Lexus-like

Utility
- Comfort: Decent compromise between sport and luxury - great seats... in the front anyway
- Space: BMW and M-B give you more

Safety
- Dynamics: Impressively agile - defeatable stability control - still needs a limited slip though
- Technology: It's a Lexus as you'd expect - it's all here

Value
- Price: A lot of car for the money, but it is a lot of money
- Mileage: eight-speed gearbox helps tremendously

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: First Japanese super-sedan - you just have to drive it
- Fun to spank: Accelerates like a scolded dog - did I mention it's lacking a limited-slip diff though?

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Rear wheel drive
Engine: 5.0 liter, DOHC V8
Power (SAE): 416 hp @  6600 rpm
Torque: 371 lbs-ft @  5200 rpm
Redline: 6800 rpm
Gearbox: 8 speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3780 lbs.
0-60 mph: 4.2 sec.
1/4 mile: 12.7 sec.
Top Speed: 170 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage: 16 city / 23 highway
Base Price: $56,765
Competitors: BMW M3 (sedan), Mercedes-Benz C63