Lexus IS-F Review

Lexus IS-F Review

Pending the decision on the production of the beautiful Lexus LF-A, we'll have to make do with the IS-F, which to my mind is not much of a hardship. Labelled, 'the first Lexus performance thoroughbred', the IS-F lives up to its promise, with outstanding performance and dynamics.

Although it was launched at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the IS-F didn't go on sale in the UK until April 2008, and even then sales were limited to only 150 cars. You might be one of the lucky ones who have paid the £50,076 asking price, for this embodiment of luxurious performance; in which case I'm preaching to the converted and I offer my congratulations on a very good choice. But, if it wasn't for the persistence of two Lexus engineers, it would never have happened.

Lexus was happy to stay with the IS range but these two wanted to develop it into a high performance, hi-tech sports saloon. Project F, as it was known, gained momentum within the company and after its showing at Frankfurt, both the public and the media interest made sure that it would be built.

While BMW has the 'M', Lexus has the 'F', which stands for Fuji, as in Fuji Speedway, home to the Toyota and Lexus testing facility and host to the Japanese Grand Prix in 2007. The 'F' badge is even shaped to represent some of the circuit's bends. But enough of the background.