2008 Lexus IS-F to Premiere at NAIAS on January 8, 2007
01-08-07, 08:56 AM
#332
Lexus Test Driver
I cant wait until the LF-A comes out. LF-F or SC-F would be interesting
IS-F out in a year
buh hum bug, hopefully they slightly tune the engine by that time, extra 20 hp will be nice. Seeing the RS4 probably we revised.
IS-F out in a year
buh hum bug, hopefully they slightly tune the engine by that time, extra 20 hp will be nice. Seeing the RS4 probably we revised.
01-08-07, 08:59 AM
#336
Is a copy of the press conference available?
I could not get the thing to open until they brought the photographers on at the end (grimace).
What did they say about the LFA?
I could not get the thing to open until they brought the photographers on at the end (grimace).
What did they say about the LFA?
01-08-07, 09:00 AM
#339
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
01-08-07, 09:00 AM
#340
Guest
Posts: n/a
Remarks by Bob Carter
01/08/2007
Bob Carter
Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager
Lexus IS-F and LF-A Press Conference
2007 North American International Auto Show, Detroit
January 8, 2007
Thank you, Irv, and good morning everyone. Welcome to day two of what has become the industry's most important and most exciting annual auto show.
Now, we're especially pleased that you could join us here today because we've got not one, but two special vehicles to show you. They're very different vehicles, to be sure, but they come from the same DNA, from the same design philosophy, and they have the same heritage.
And while their purpose isn't to dispel myths or to counter points of view, that is, in fact, what these cars do. We realize that to some, Lexus vehicles are perceived simply as mainstream luxury vehicles, but today we will change those perceptions and introduce a new Lexus marque. The marque is the Lexus "F."
Most people do not know that when the idea of Lexus was first conceived 20 years ago, the original project was internally coded "Circle-F." The Circle-F designation evolved into the name Flagship One, or F1, which became the code for our very first car, the LS.
Since then, the "F" has signified a special vehicle program within the Lexus corporate development system. These are vehicles that needed to venture down a unique path with different standards than other vehicles. This brings me to the first of two new F-designated cars that we will show you today.
You first saw the LF-A, an exercise aimed at defining the supercar concept, at this show two years ago. We were very pleased with the response it generated. After the buzz of excitement following that show, something interesting happened-the LF-A grew a second life.
Instead of letting it go the way of most concept cars, rotting away under a tarp in a warehouse somewhere, the ideas represented by the LF-A seemed to us like a great story might seem to you. The LF-A was similar to a story that sat, not yet published for a while.
Perhaps you've experienced this. After a time you've revisited the story, given it another edit, a fresh think, if you will. And lo and behold, the piece was even better than it was before.
That's what's happened with the LF-A, and that's why we're here to show you the next evolution of that vehicle, which now proudly wears the "F" marque.
(LF-A Reveal)
Our goals with the new LF-A are no different than they were with the original concept: To build a supercar with world-class performance. We thought about what a supercar should be, and then started to design what a Lexus version of a luxury exotic could be.
As with all new Lexus cars, the styling of the LF-A is rooted in a design direction we call L-finesse. This concept was used to reshape, re-detail, and redefine the latest iteration. Lexus has further refined the styling of the new LF-A to enhance its exotic nature with a greater use of curved surfaces and interesting details.
The LF-A is powered by a high-revving 500-plus horsepower V10 engine, a powerplant that will produce the kind of exhaust note that any car enthusiast will love. In addition, its front mid-engine placement, along with a rear-mounted transaxle and rear-mounted radiators, allow for excellent weight distribution.
Over 500 horsepower, superior aerodynamics, and revised styling make a top speed of 200 mph not only possible but probable.
The first LF-A was a pure concept, but one we went so far as to do engineering analysis on at our Higashi Fuji Technical Center and on the track at Fuji Speedway. This latest concept is much closer to a vehicle that we would bring to market and one we will be gauging consumer interest in. It's also one I'd love to have parked in my own garage.
So that's a look at what we have for you for, perhaps, tomorrow. But how about today?
That brings me to the very first Lexus production vehicle deserving of the "F" marque.
It's certainly fast, as you will see when you are able to conduct your road tests, and it absolutely conforms to the Lexus formula of car building.
Well, sort of. Actually, it deviates from the usual Lexus formula in one important way.
Rather than being the product of a carefully plotted and approved corporate plan, this car is, in the best tradition of the factory-based hotrod, the result of an effort by a "Skunk Works" team, a covert operation populated by a team of, well, rogue engineers.
These are free-thinking performance freaks who developed their own vision for a Lexus performance car, a carefully planned and engineered vehicle that was not part of our carefully planned corporate program.
They developed this vehicle while endorsing the "Lexus Musts," a rigorous set of development standards. We also added a couple of additional Musts, the sort of Musts that you might expect hard-core enthusiasts to demand:
Must be balanced. Must be authentic. And, most importantly, Must haul a**.
And here it is, ladies and gentlemen, the all-new 2008 Lexus IS-F…
(IS-F Reveal)
The IS-F is based on the proven rear-wheel-drive Lexus IS, so it begins life with what we think of as an excellent foundation. But as good as the standard IS is, our performance-crazed engineers weren't satisfied.
So they developed a performance-tuned 5.0-liter 400-plus horsepower V8 engine with more than 350 foot-pounds of torque, topped with specially engineered heads and fed by a two-stage intake manifold. This is the fire-breather our guys very carefully inserted into the IS platform. It certainly makes me smile just to think of it.
But it gets better. Because you've got to put all that power to the ground, the world's first eight-speed direct sport-shift transmission was developed.
In keeping with the demands of today's market, the IS-F has a unique gear box which features an advanced Manual mode. A pair of paddles located within a fingertip's reach behind the steering wheel give the driver full control to make ultra-fast up-shifts. Gear changes come in a tenth of a second.
A new torque-converter lock-up control was developed. This new design allows for a very direct, crisp gear change through the constant lock-up of the torque converter in second through eighth gears. The torque converter also allows for great launch ability for fast standing-start acceleration. Downshifts, meanwhile, are accompanied by incredibly precise throttle blips to match engine RPM to vehicle speed.
For all that high-speed driving, the all-new IS-F is equipped with engine oil and transmission fluid coolers, as well as a cylinder head scavenging oil pump for high
g-force driving.
With a zero-to-60 time of less than 4.9 seconds, what goes must also stop. So for brakes, we went with the very best we could find, Brembo.
Designed to Lexus specifications, the brakes consist of huge, 14.2-inch cross-drilled front discs gripped by rigid, powerful six-piston aluminum calipers and 13.6-inch rear cross-drilled discs that use two-piston calipers. We dropped in high-friction brake pads and were so excited about the end results we even put our name on the calipers.
The size of those brake discs should provide a clue about the IS-F's wheel size. The wheels are custom-designed and built, again to our specifications, by BBS. They are standard 19-inch forged alloy wheels clad with fat, sticky high-performance sport tires that cling to the pavement the way paint clings to a wall.
To extract the most from this wheel-and-tire combo, and to make the most of the power and flexibility of the IS-F's engine/transmission combination, the already excellent IS suspension was modified in a way that makes the car ready for track days, and lowers the entire vehicle by a full inch when compared to other IS models.
The shocks, springs, bushings, roll-bars, and even the steering tuning were designed exclusively for the "F" model.
In addition to those modifications, an all-new three mode version of our Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system, or VDIM, was engineered specifically for this car. In Sport mode, the VDIM system allows the driver to push it even further before the safety features and traction control systems kick in. Or, if you want a real test of talent, just turn it off completely.
The result is a car with more grip, more responsiveness, more driver feedback, and more agility than anything we've ever produced.
With all this attention to performance, we didn't forget that this car should make a visual impact, something that differentiates it from the standard IS. To that end we provided it with dual exhausts with quad-tail pipes that will produce that wonderful aggressive exhaust note we expect of powerful V8s. The IS-F features wider front fenders, grille, and rear-deck spoiler. We even had to redesign a larger hood and lower intake just to fit and cool the bigger engine.
All this wrapped around an interior that offers specially shaped and trimmed seats that hold the driver comfortably and securely in place. The sport seats are available in black or a unique high-contrast white and black trim.
I mentioned earlier how the IS-F came about in a most unusual way for a Lexus vehicle. You know, industry history has shown us that some of the best cars ever built wouldn't exist if they had followed company development rules. The original Pontiac GTO and the first Corvette are examples of cars that wouldn't have been developed if someone didn't break the rules and champion their cause.
I'd like to introduce you to our rule breaker and the person most responsible for the development of the all-new IS-F, Chief Engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi. Yaguchi-san …
Yaguchi-san did not want to simply build an "IS 500." That would have been too easy. He wanted to create a true performance sedan in a uniquely Lexus way … and he did.
So, the IS-F takes "F" to a whole new meaning for the Lexus lineup by becoming a performance marque all its own. Think of the "F" no longer as a mere letter code, but as an exclamation point.
Now I'm sure you are wondering what our next "F" marque car will be. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long, or look too far, for that announcement.
You can expect to see the all-new IS-F in dealer showrooms around this time next year, but you'll have to get in line behind me for the first test drive. Thank you all for joining us today. It's now my pleasure to turn the stage back over to Irv.
# # #
01/08/2007
Bob Carter
Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager
Lexus IS-F and LF-A Press Conference
2007 North American International Auto Show, Detroit
January 8, 2007
Thank you, Irv, and good morning everyone. Welcome to day two of what has become the industry's most important and most exciting annual auto show.
Now, we're especially pleased that you could join us here today because we've got not one, but two special vehicles to show you. They're very different vehicles, to be sure, but they come from the same DNA, from the same design philosophy, and they have the same heritage.
And while their purpose isn't to dispel myths or to counter points of view, that is, in fact, what these cars do. We realize that to some, Lexus vehicles are perceived simply as mainstream luxury vehicles, but today we will change those perceptions and introduce a new Lexus marque. The marque is the Lexus "F."
Most people do not know that when the idea of Lexus was first conceived 20 years ago, the original project was internally coded "Circle-F." The Circle-F designation evolved into the name Flagship One, or F1, which became the code for our very first car, the LS.
Since then, the "F" has signified a special vehicle program within the Lexus corporate development system. These are vehicles that needed to venture down a unique path with different standards than other vehicles. This brings me to the first of two new F-designated cars that we will show you today.
You first saw the LF-A, an exercise aimed at defining the supercar concept, at this show two years ago. We were very pleased with the response it generated. After the buzz of excitement following that show, something interesting happened-the LF-A grew a second life.
Instead of letting it go the way of most concept cars, rotting away under a tarp in a warehouse somewhere, the ideas represented by the LF-A seemed to us like a great story might seem to you. The LF-A was similar to a story that sat, not yet published for a while.
Perhaps you've experienced this. After a time you've revisited the story, given it another edit, a fresh think, if you will. And lo and behold, the piece was even better than it was before.
That's what's happened with the LF-A, and that's why we're here to show you the next evolution of that vehicle, which now proudly wears the "F" marque.
(LF-A Reveal)
Our goals with the new LF-A are no different than they were with the original concept: To build a supercar with world-class performance. We thought about what a supercar should be, and then started to design what a Lexus version of a luxury exotic could be.
As with all new Lexus cars, the styling of the LF-A is rooted in a design direction we call L-finesse. This concept was used to reshape, re-detail, and redefine the latest iteration. Lexus has further refined the styling of the new LF-A to enhance its exotic nature with a greater use of curved surfaces and interesting details.
The LF-A is powered by a high-revving 500-plus horsepower V10 engine, a powerplant that will produce the kind of exhaust note that any car enthusiast will love. In addition, its front mid-engine placement, along with a rear-mounted transaxle and rear-mounted radiators, allow for excellent weight distribution.
Over 500 horsepower, superior aerodynamics, and revised styling make a top speed of 200 mph not only possible but probable.
The first LF-A was a pure concept, but one we went so far as to do engineering analysis on at our Higashi Fuji Technical Center and on the track at Fuji Speedway. This latest concept is much closer to a vehicle that we would bring to market and one we will be gauging consumer interest in. It's also one I'd love to have parked in my own garage.
So that's a look at what we have for you for, perhaps, tomorrow. But how about today?
That brings me to the very first Lexus production vehicle deserving of the "F" marque.
It's certainly fast, as you will see when you are able to conduct your road tests, and it absolutely conforms to the Lexus formula of car building.
Well, sort of. Actually, it deviates from the usual Lexus formula in one important way.
Rather than being the product of a carefully plotted and approved corporate plan, this car is, in the best tradition of the factory-based hotrod, the result of an effort by a "Skunk Works" team, a covert operation populated by a team of, well, rogue engineers.
These are free-thinking performance freaks who developed their own vision for a Lexus performance car, a carefully planned and engineered vehicle that was not part of our carefully planned corporate program.
They developed this vehicle while endorsing the "Lexus Musts," a rigorous set of development standards. We also added a couple of additional Musts, the sort of Musts that you might expect hard-core enthusiasts to demand:
Must be balanced. Must be authentic. And, most importantly, Must haul a**.
And here it is, ladies and gentlemen, the all-new 2008 Lexus IS-F…
(IS-F Reveal)
The IS-F is based on the proven rear-wheel-drive Lexus IS, so it begins life with what we think of as an excellent foundation. But as good as the standard IS is, our performance-crazed engineers weren't satisfied.
So they developed a performance-tuned 5.0-liter 400-plus horsepower V8 engine with more than 350 foot-pounds of torque, topped with specially engineered heads and fed by a two-stage intake manifold. This is the fire-breather our guys very carefully inserted into the IS platform. It certainly makes me smile just to think of it.
But it gets better. Because you've got to put all that power to the ground, the world's first eight-speed direct sport-shift transmission was developed.
In keeping with the demands of today's market, the IS-F has a unique gear box which features an advanced Manual mode. A pair of paddles located within a fingertip's reach behind the steering wheel give the driver full control to make ultra-fast up-shifts. Gear changes come in a tenth of a second.
A new torque-converter lock-up control was developed. This new design allows for a very direct, crisp gear change through the constant lock-up of the torque converter in second through eighth gears. The torque converter also allows for great launch ability for fast standing-start acceleration. Downshifts, meanwhile, are accompanied by incredibly precise throttle blips to match engine RPM to vehicle speed.
For all that high-speed driving, the all-new IS-F is equipped with engine oil and transmission fluid coolers, as well as a cylinder head scavenging oil pump for high
g-force driving.
With a zero-to-60 time of less than 4.9 seconds, what goes must also stop. So for brakes, we went with the very best we could find, Brembo.
Designed to Lexus specifications, the brakes consist of huge, 14.2-inch cross-drilled front discs gripped by rigid, powerful six-piston aluminum calipers and 13.6-inch rear cross-drilled discs that use two-piston calipers. We dropped in high-friction brake pads and were so excited about the end results we even put our name on the calipers.
The size of those brake discs should provide a clue about the IS-F's wheel size. The wheels are custom-designed and built, again to our specifications, by BBS. They are standard 19-inch forged alloy wheels clad with fat, sticky high-performance sport tires that cling to the pavement the way paint clings to a wall.
To extract the most from this wheel-and-tire combo, and to make the most of the power and flexibility of the IS-F's engine/transmission combination, the already excellent IS suspension was modified in a way that makes the car ready for track days, and lowers the entire vehicle by a full inch when compared to other IS models.
The shocks, springs, bushings, roll-bars, and even the steering tuning were designed exclusively for the "F" model.
In addition to those modifications, an all-new three mode version of our Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system, or VDIM, was engineered specifically for this car. In Sport mode, the VDIM system allows the driver to push it even further before the safety features and traction control systems kick in. Or, if you want a real test of talent, just turn it off completely.
The result is a car with more grip, more responsiveness, more driver feedback, and more agility than anything we've ever produced.
With all this attention to performance, we didn't forget that this car should make a visual impact, something that differentiates it from the standard IS. To that end we provided it with dual exhausts with quad-tail pipes that will produce that wonderful aggressive exhaust note we expect of powerful V8s. The IS-F features wider front fenders, grille, and rear-deck spoiler. We even had to redesign a larger hood and lower intake just to fit and cool the bigger engine.
All this wrapped around an interior that offers specially shaped and trimmed seats that hold the driver comfortably and securely in place. The sport seats are available in black or a unique high-contrast white and black trim.
I mentioned earlier how the IS-F came about in a most unusual way for a Lexus vehicle. You know, industry history has shown us that some of the best cars ever built wouldn't exist if they had followed company development rules. The original Pontiac GTO and the first Corvette are examples of cars that wouldn't have been developed if someone didn't break the rules and champion their cause.
I'd like to introduce you to our rule breaker and the person most responsible for the development of the all-new IS-F, Chief Engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi. Yaguchi-san …
Yaguchi-san did not want to simply build an "IS 500." That would have been too easy. He wanted to create a true performance sedan in a uniquely Lexus way … and he did.
So, the IS-F takes "F" to a whole new meaning for the Lexus lineup by becoming a performance marque all its own. Think of the "F" no longer as a mere letter code, but as an exclamation point.
Now I'm sure you are wondering what our next "F" marque car will be. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long, or look too far, for that announcement.
You can expect to see the all-new IS-F in dealer showrooms around this time next year, but you'll have to get in line behind me for the first test drive. Thank you all for joining us today. It's now my pleasure to turn the stage back over to Irv.
# # #
01-08-07, 09:03 AM
#342
Guest
Posts: n/a
Lexus Unveils Two High-Performance Vehicles at the 2007 North American International Auto Show
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01/08/2007 Detroit
January 8, 2007 - Detroit - Lexus unveiled the IS-F high-performance luxury sedan and the LF-A sports-car concept at a press conference today at the 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
The all-new 2008 IS-F high-performance luxury sedan will deliver more than 400 horsepower from a 5.0-liter V8 engine when it goes into production. The LF-A supercar concept is equipped with a V10 engine that produces more than 500 horsepower. Together, the two exciting new cars make a dramatic statement of Lexus performance.
The IS-F and LF-A are very different vehicles, yet they share the same DNA, design philosophy, and heritage. Prominent in both vehicles, the "F" designation was first conceived nearly 20 years ago with a project internally coded "Circle-F," with the "F" standing for "flagship." This was the original code for what became the Lexus Division. The Circle-F designation further evolved into the code name Flagship One, or F1, and the first F1 concept developed into Lexus' first vehicle, the LS. Since then, the "F" code has come to signify a special vehicle program within Lexus that falls outside the normal engineering and development process.
"Lexus has long been perceived as the maker of mainstream luxury vehicles, but the unveiling of the IS-F and LF-A not only changes this perception, it also introduces a new Lexus marque," said Bob Carter, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. "The 'F' shared by both vehicles is the signature for a new high-performance marque conceived by an engineering team that dared to turn their dream of 'a Lexus like no other' into a reality."
IS-F Performance Sedan
Much of the development of the new IS-F took place at Fuji Speedway and the Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Japan. The IS-F is based on the proven rear-wheel-drive Lexus IS, which is equipped with a double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension. As well as the IS performs, Lexus engineers demanded much more of the all-new IS-F. The result is a performance tuned 5.0-liter V8 engine, topped with specially engineered heads fed by a two-stage intake system, that produces 400-plus horsepower and more than 350 ft.-lbs. of torque. The all-new IS-F is equipped with engine-oil and transmission-fluid coolers for high-speed performance and a cylinder head-scavenging oil pump for high g-force driving.
The IS-F engine is mated to the world's first eight-speed direct sport-shift transmission. A new torque-converter lock-up control was developed that allows for a direct, crisp gear change through the constant lock-up of the torque converter in second through eighth gears. In Drive mode, the IS-F transmission performs with great smoothness, and the torque converter allows for great launch ability for fast standing-start acceleration that will register a zero-to-60 time in less than 4.9 seconds.
This unique transmission also features an advanced Manual mode. A pair of paddles located within a fingertip's reach behind the steering wheel enables the driver to make ultra-fast up-shift gear changes within a tenth of a second. Downshifts are accompanied by automated and incredibly precise throttle blips to match engine RPM to vehicle speed.
The impressive acceleration achieved by the IS-F requires it be equipped with heavy-duty Brembo brakes designed to the specifications of the Lexus engineering team. Huge, 14.2-inch cross-drilled front discs are gripped by rigid, powerful six-piston aluminum calipers, while 13.6-inch rear cross-drilled discs feature two-piston calipers. High-friction brake pads are equipped on all four wheels. The brakes are finished with the Lexus name displayed on the calipers, a first for a Lexus production vehicle.
The IS-F features custom-designed 19-inch forged alloy wheels as standard. The wheels were built to Lexus specifications by BBS and are surrounded by high-performance sport tires.
The attention to performance also extends to a modified suspension that lowers the entire car by more than a half-inch when compared to the base IS, and one full inch when compared to IS models equipped with 18-inch wheels. This specially modified suspension allows for an exciting and energetic drive, whether on a race track or the streets.
The IS-F features an all-new three-mode version of Lexus' Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. In addition to the Normal mode, the new VDIM features a Sport mode that allows the driver to push the car even further before its braking-, throttle- and steering-control systems kick in. The third VDIM system mode is Off, which allows the driver to push the IS-F to its ultimate level of handling performance.
The attention to performance is complemented by modified styling cues that differentiate the IS-F from the standard IS. Lexus engineers provided the IS-F with a dual-exhaust system and quad-tail pipes, wider front fenders, and a larger grille and rear spoiler. Both the hood and lower intake were enlarged to accommodate and cool the V8 engine.
Like the exterior, the interior of the IS-F receives unique styling with aluminized composite trim and special surface treatments. The instrument panel includes an oil-temperature gauge and shift indicator-lights, while the "F" logo is showcased on the steering wheel and rear-center console.
In addition to the usual Lexus standards of comfort and convenience, the interior of the IS-F features specially shaped and trimmed seats, which hold the driver comfortably and securely in place. The special sport seats are available in black or a unique high-contrast white and black trim.
"The intent of creating the IS-F was not to be a competitor to other performance-sport sedans," said Carter. "Rather, the goal was to create a true performance sedan in a uniquely Lexus way-one that is totally authentic with a unique interpretation of raw driving thrill at all speeds and provides a whole new definition of 'usable power.'"
The IS-F will arrive at Lexus dealerships in early 2008.
LF-A Sports Car Concept
The LF-A sports-car concept was originally shown at the 2005 NAIAS to express a bold new direction in styling for the Lexus brand. The goals for the new LF-A are no different than they were with the original concept: To build a supercar with world-class performance that is uniquely Lexus.
As with all new Lexus vehicles, the styling of the LF-A is rooted in a design direction called L-finesse. The concept of L-finesse was used to shape and detail the original LF-A, and it was used to reshape, redetail and redefine this latest version. Lexus has further refined the styling of the new LF-A to enhance its exotic nature with a greater use of curved surfaces and interesting details.
The running gear of the LF-A is just as it was with the original, powered by a high-revving 500-plus horsepower V10 engine. Its front mid-engine placement, along with a rear-mounted transaxle and rear-mounted radiators, allows for excellent weight distribution. The horsepower, superior aerodynamics, and revised styling makes a top speed of 200 mph not only possible but probable.
An "F" logo, indicating the vehicle's status as a part of the new "F" marque, is located on each front fender.
"The first LF-A was a pure concept, but one that we went so far as to conduct engineering analysis on," said Carter. "This latest concept is much closer to a vehicle that we would bring to market, and one in which we will be gauging consumer interest."
Lexus IS-F Preliminary Specifications
Powertrain
Engine: 5.0 Liter V8
Estimated Horsepower: More than 400
Estimated Torque: More than 350 lb.-ft.
Transmission: Eight-speed direct paddle sport shift gear box
Brakes
Large diameter cross-drilled discs
Front/Rear: 14.2 inches/13.6 inches
Opposed aluminum calipers
Front/Rear: Six piston/two piston
Wheels
Forged aluminum wheels
Front: 225/40R19 (19 x8)
Rear: 255/35R19 (19 x 9)
Performance
0-60 MPH Acceleration: Under 4.9 seconds
Fuel Economy: TBD
Emissions Rating: ULEV II
Dimensions (inches)
Overall Length: 183.5
Overall Width: 71.5
Overall Height: 55.5
Wheelbase: 107.5
Lexus LF-A Sports Concept Preliminary Specifications
Powertrain
Engine: V10 (under 5.0-liters)
Horsepower: More than 500
Top Speed: Approximately 200 MPH
Tire Size
Front: 265/35R20
Rear: 305/30R20
Dimensions (inches)
Overall Length: 175.6
Overall Width: 74.6
Overall Height: 48.0
Wheelbase: 102.3
Related Media
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01/08/2007 Detroit
January 8, 2007 - Detroit - Lexus unveiled the IS-F high-performance luxury sedan and the LF-A sports-car concept at a press conference today at the 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
The all-new 2008 IS-F high-performance luxury sedan will deliver more than 400 horsepower from a 5.0-liter V8 engine when it goes into production. The LF-A supercar concept is equipped with a V10 engine that produces more than 500 horsepower. Together, the two exciting new cars make a dramatic statement of Lexus performance.
The IS-F and LF-A are very different vehicles, yet they share the same DNA, design philosophy, and heritage. Prominent in both vehicles, the "F" designation was first conceived nearly 20 years ago with a project internally coded "Circle-F," with the "F" standing for "flagship." This was the original code for what became the Lexus Division. The Circle-F designation further evolved into the code name Flagship One, or F1, and the first F1 concept developed into Lexus' first vehicle, the LS. Since then, the "F" code has come to signify a special vehicle program within Lexus that falls outside the normal engineering and development process.
"Lexus has long been perceived as the maker of mainstream luxury vehicles, but the unveiling of the IS-F and LF-A not only changes this perception, it also introduces a new Lexus marque," said Bob Carter, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. "The 'F' shared by both vehicles is the signature for a new high-performance marque conceived by an engineering team that dared to turn their dream of 'a Lexus like no other' into a reality."
IS-F Performance Sedan
Much of the development of the new IS-F took place at Fuji Speedway and the Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Japan. The IS-F is based on the proven rear-wheel-drive Lexus IS, which is equipped with a double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension. As well as the IS performs, Lexus engineers demanded much more of the all-new IS-F. The result is a performance tuned 5.0-liter V8 engine, topped with specially engineered heads fed by a two-stage intake system, that produces 400-plus horsepower and more than 350 ft.-lbs. of torque. The all-new IS-F is equipped with engine-oil and transmission-fluid coolers for high-speed performance and a cylinder head-scavenging oil pump for high g-force driving.
The IS-F engine is mated to the world's first eight-speed direct sport-shift transmission. A new torque-converter lock-up control was developed that allows for a direct, crisp gear change through the constant lock-up of the torque converter in second through eighth gears. In Drive mode, the IS-F transmission performs with great smoothness, and the torque converter allows for great launch ability for fast standing-start acceleration that will register a zero-to-60 time in less than 4.9 seconds.
This unique transmission also features an advanced Manual mode. A pair of paddles located within a fingertip's reach behind the steering wheel enables the driver to make ultra-fast up-shift gear changes within a tenth of a second. Downshifts are accompanied by automated and incredibly precise throttle blips to match engine RPM to vehicle speed.
The impressive acceleration achieved by the IS-F requires it be equipped with heavy-duty Brembo brakes designed to the specifications of the Lexus engineering team. Huge, 14.2-inch cross-drilled front discs are gripped by rigid, powerful six-piston aluminum calipers, while 13.6-inch rear cross-drilled discs feature two-piston calipers. High-friction brake pads are equipped on all four wheels. The brakes are finished with the Lexus name displayed on the calipers, a first for a Lexus production vehicle.
The IS-F features custom-designed 19-inch forged alloy wheels as standard. The wheels were built to Lexus specifications by BBS and are surrounded by high-performance sport tires.
The attention to performance also extends to a modified suspension that lowers the entire car by more than a half-inch when compared to the base IS, and one full inch when compared to IS models equipped with 18-inch wheels. This specially modified suspension allows for an exciting and energetic drive, whether on a race track or the streets.
The IS-F features an all-new three-mode version of Lexus' Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. In addition to the Normal mode, the new VDIM features a Sport mode that allows the driver to push the car even further before its braking-, throttle- and steering-control systems kick in. The third VDIM system mode is Off, which allows the driver to push the IS-F to its ultimate level of handling performance.
The attention to performance is complemented by modified styling cues that differentiate the IS-F from the standard IS. Lexus engineers provided the IS-F with a dual-exhaust system and quad-tail pipes, wider front fenders, and a larger grille and rear spoiler. Both the hood and lower intake were enlarged to accommodate and cool the V8 engine.
Like the exterior, the interior of the IS-F receives unique styling with aluminized composite trim and special surface treatments. The instrument panel includes an oil-temperature gauge and shift indicator-lights, while the "F" logo is showcased on the steering wheel and rear-center console.
In addition to the usual Lexus standards of comfort and convenience, the interior of the IS-F features specially shaped and trimmed seats, which hold the driver comfortably and securely in place. The special sport seats are available in black or a unique high-contrast white and black trim.
"The intent of creating the IS-F was not to be a competitor to other performance-sport sedans," said Carter. "Rather, the goal was to create a true performance sedan in a uniquely Lexus way-one that is totally authentic with a unique interpretation of raw driving thrill at all speeds and provides a whole new definition of 'usable power.'"
The IS-F will arrive at Lexus dealerships in early 2008.
LF-A Sports Car Concept
The LF-A sports-car concept was originally shown at the 2005 NAIAS to express a bold new direction in styling for the Lexus brand. The goals for the new LF-A are no different than they were with the original concept: To build a supercar with world-class performance that is uniquely Lexus.
As with all new Lexus vehicles, the styling of the LF-A is rooted in a design direction called L-finesse. The concept of L-finesse was used to shape and detail the original LF-A, and it was used to reshape, redetail and redefine this latest version. Lexus has further refined the styling of the new LF-A to enhance its exotic nature with a greater use of curved surfaces and interesting details.
The running gear of the LF-A is just as it was with the original, powered by a high-revving 500-plus horsepower V10 engine. Its front mid-engine placement, along with a rear-mounted transaxle and rear-mounted radiators, allows for excellent weight distribution. The horsepower, superior aerodynamics, and revised styling makes a top speed of 200 mph not only possible but probable.
An "F" logo, indicating the vehicle's status as a part of the new "F" marque, is located on each front fender.
"The first LF-A was a pure concept, but one that we went so far as to conduct engineering analysis on," said Carter. "This latest concept is much closer to a vehicle that we would bring to market, and one in which we will be gauging consumer interest."
Lexus IS-F Preliminary Specifications
Powertrain
Engine: 5.0 Liter V8
Estimated Horsepower: More than 400
Estimated Torque: More than 350 lb.-ft.
Transmission: Eight-speed direct paddle sport shift gear box
Brakes
Large diameter cross-drilled discs
Front/Rear: 14.2 inches/13.6 inches
Opposed aluminum calipers
Front/Rear: Six piston/two piston
Wheels
Forged aluminum wheels
Front: 225/40R19 (19 x8)
Rear: 255/35R19 (19 x 9)
Performance
0-60 MPH Acceleration: Under 4.9 seconds
Fuel Economy: TBD
Emissions Rating: ULEV II
Dimensions (inches)
Overall Length: 183.5
Overall Width: 71.5
Overall Height: 55.5
Wheelbase: 107.5
Lexus LF-A Sports Concept Preliminary Specifications
Powertrain
Engine: V10 (under 5.0-liters)
Horsepower: More than 500
Top Speed: Approximately 200 MPH
Tire Size
Front: 265/35R20
Rear: 305/30R20
Dimensions (inches)
Overall Length: 175.6
Overall Width: 74.6
Overall Height: 48.0
Wheelbase: 102.3
