Formula Drift Driver Gives 2021 IS350 F Sport a Workout
Ken Gushi breaks in this brand new IS the right way.
Hard Break-In
Generally, when most people buy new cars (especially performance ones), they take the time to ensure proper break-in over the first few hundred miles or so. But that wasn't the case with this fresh-off-the-lot 2021 Lexus IS350 F Sport, which was taken to the track from a dealer lot and promptly shredded by Formula Drift driver Ken Gushi.
Shred Session
Gushi "borrowed" the IS from Lexus Western and promptly took it to Apple Valley Speedway in California for the shred session, where the pro driver had a hard time figuring out how to make it break traction at first. But once that got sorted, he had no problem destroying the factory tires with ease.
Easy Transition
Gushi didn't have to play around with drive modes or overinflate the tires to make this stunt happen, either. And he notes that once the car gets sideways, it's incredibly easy to control and transition thanks to its long wheelbase.
East Start
Things kick off in normal mode with factory tire air pressure, with traction control off, and the car in manual mode. Even with those conservative settings, Gushi manages to rip off some impressive drifts and light up the tires with ease.
Getting Sideways
Next, he puts the IS in Sport mode, which, surprisingly, doesn't make a huge difference. The only discernable difference Gushi notes is the fact that the car is louder in Sport mode, and that the steering was a bit tighter. Otherwise, he says that it's "pretty easy to get sideways."
Lots of Fun
Next up is Sport+ mode, which produces even better results. "This car is a lot of fun," Gushi notes. "I'm surprised it can do so much in the factory settings. Even in normal mode, it was easy to get sideways right away. I did have the most fun in Sport+ though because the engine got louder - you can hear the exhaust note, from even inside the car."
Will It Drift?
Thus, Gushi answers the question that we always have about new cars, right off the bat - will it drift? In the case of the new 2021 IS350, that answer is a resounding yes. Thankfully, even with technological nannies becoming more and more restrictive, new IS buyers will still be able to take them out and have a little fun.
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