Just read about the Lexus IS F. Not sure if this was posted before (did a search, couldn't find one - though I apologize if there was one already and missed it). Anyway, this seems to be a very interesting car to say the least. Here's a few blurbs about it:

The IS F is, in fact, a proper beast thanks to a Yamaha F1-engineered 416-horsepower DOHC 5.0-liter V-8 pushing the first production chassis engineered by TRD (Toyota Racing Development). It'll pull 0-to-60 in 4.7-seconds using the first two gears of an 8-speed electronic tranny that shifts in 100-milliseconds, which happens to be just as fast a Ferrari F430's F1 transmission.

The culmination is an engine that is not expected to be penalized by the gas-guzzler tax, yet generates 416-horsepower at 6,600-RPM and 371-lb.ft of torque at 5,200-RPM. Top speed is electronically limited to 170-mph, and Lexus says the F will plow through a quarter-mile in 13-seconds.


Here's the link to the write-up:

part1 - http://cars.ign.com/articles/836/836578p1.html

part2 - http://cars.ign.com/articles/836/836942p1.html

 

I have pics of this car from the LA show if you want me to post

 

I drove one at the SEMA show in Vegas. It was a very nice ride. One of the cool features is the auto trans that blips the throttle as you downshift. Very cool.

 

What's a "Yamaha F1-engineered" engine? Smells like marketing BS to me.

Who'd have thought muscle car V8 engines would one day end up in small Japanese sedans? Insane performance, that's for sure.

 

The Taurus SHO had Yamaha engineered engine too. So was the Celica GTS engine.

 

I wasn't questioning the Yamaha-engineered aspect, but the fact that it has anything to do with F1 just because it's a V8. Yamaha have been out of F1 for how long, 10 years?

 

Ah, good. I hadn't seen quarter mile times for this car. I was wondering if it would end up being faster than my car. Luckily, that does not seem to be the case.

Still, a great car.

 

It will probably be as involving to drive as the rest of the Lexus line up even if it has 22000hp and shifts gears at the speed of light. But then again it is aimed at the North American market so it will probably be a success.

 

i seen the IS F at the tampa auto show and it was sick. i liked it except for the quad exhaust tips.

 

Yamaha has stayed busy though, so i would say its not that much of a stretch....

....I wouldn't mind a car with a Cosworth designed engine 10 years from now....would u??

 

Seems slow in acceleration for 416hp...

 

Mid to high 12's in the 1/4 mile at around 115 mph doesn't exactlly seem slow to me...

 

Beat me to it, based on weight and that high of a trap that engine is probably more like 460 vs 416, typical toyota underrating again