Test bench | Lexus IS 500 F Sport: F for figuration?

Why does the IS 500 bear little resemblance to your idea of ​​a Lexus?

Eric LeFrancois
special cooperation

A little substance

Let’s cut to the chase. At Lexus, the F Sport signature represents an exercise in style. Moreover, all the creations of the brand are entitled to it. So, no particular cachet; no extra soul either. In short, the container takes precedence over the content. With the IS 500 F Sport, it’s different, there’s more substance. Therefore, we have less desire to see in it an elementary commercial calculation than a burst of pride on the part of a firm which until now has struggled to put on running shoes. Real ones!

The sports are no longer in tune with the times, you say? Oh good ! So how do you explain the success of manufacturers’ “vroom vroom” branches? For the AMG (Mercedes), M (BMW) and RS (Audi), to name just these three, Canada is among the top five markets in the world. A statistic just as astonishing as this other indicating that the sales of convertibles are inversely proportional to the level of sunshine in the country.

Back to the IS 500 F Sport.

Lexus management naturally has access to these statistics and wants its piece of the pie. For the time being, in the performance department, it is partly up to the IS (see our boxes for the RC in the “Specifications” tab) to restore color to the Lexus. With this atypical sedan, competing with the models offered by Audi, BMW and Mercedes, Lexus intends to shake up received ideas. But, for that, styling is not enough.

An idea in mind

As the competition turns to turbos and the electric fairy to compensate for the decrease in displacement of its engines, Lexus plants a naturally aspirated 5.0L V8 in the heart of the IS. A motorization of a certain efficiency, of a bewitching sound, perfectly capable of climbing the towers without shouting. Against the current trend, okay, but Lexus does not intend to abandon this mechanism anytime soon. Already, with the help of the Yamaha firm, this engine is preparing its mutation towards hydrogen, another fad of Toyota, parent company of Lexus. Until then, it’s gasoline (and only super) that the injectors spray into the combustion chambers of this eight-cylinder.

Emitting a ferocious roar, this engine sends all its power to the rear wheels alone. In doing so, it provides that typical feeling of being literally pushed forward that so delights apostles of rear-wheel drive cars. That said, this 5 L purrs quietly. It only exhilarates when the slider of the wheel located at the foot of the console points to the most sporty settings. Consequently, the race of the accelerator is tightened and the reports of box regroup to beat the pace. The flight is solid, but probably too linear to arouse emotion. The fault lies partly in the power of torque, but especially in the automatic transmission whose apathy can be shaken only by manually engaging the reports using the paddles on the steering wheel. Immediate, the reactions of this powertrain then erase any impression of heaviness. The chassis fits easily with the performance of the car, whose braking shows a soothing efficiency, but nothing more.

Aided by precise and not too heavy steering, this sedan is easy to handle – as is the rule with rear-wheel-drive models.

You still have to be careful of excessively brutal acceleration out of corners – and the battery of electronic assistance facilitates control of the 472 hp prancing under the hood. This applies to oily or wet pavement. In the snow, it looks much more difficult. Many owners will prefer to bundle it up in a tarp sheltered from winter abuse.

In the dry, however, it’s a whole different story. Such brilliance imposes some counterparts, starting with the suspension, which had to be hardened for the IS to hold the pavement. The nice surprise is that as soon as the road deteriorates, the occupants are not shaken unceremoniously, whatever the driving style.

The IS enjoys a very balanced weight distribution, reconnects with the principle of rear-wheel drive, which greatly limits its appeal to motorists who have to deal with the annoyances of the white season. To mitigate them, this Lexus has electronic crutches, too quick to pull the trigger. Consequence: rather than magnifying the behavior, they weaken it.

Small surprise: this sedan turns very well and drives without too much difficulty in town. On the road, it holds its own and imposes a less unreasonable level of fuel consumption than in urban areas.

Renovations to be planned

If the interior of this IS inherits the rigor (strict assemblies), its general design is sinister despite a colorful upholstery. The presentation is old-fashioned, cramped. We must also note the unpleasant touchpad connected to the infotainment system. Its imprecision does not in any way facilitate the navigation of menus and sub-menus. In the back, passengers have to deal with a limited space. Just like the luggage in the trunk.

Technical sheet

Engine

• Atmospheric 5.0L V8 DOHC
• Power: 472 hp at 7100 rpm
• Torque: 395 lb-ft at 4800 rpm

Performance

• Weight: 1765 kg
• Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 4.7s
• Top speed: 240 km/h

Gearbox

• Standard: 8-speed automatic
• Optional: none
• Drive mode: propelled

Tires

Tank capacity and recommended gasoline

Dimensions

Wheelbase: 2794 mm / Length: 4750 mm / Height: 1422 mm / Width: 1829 mm (exterior mirrors excluded)

born for road

Before the IS 500 F Sport, there was the IS F (2008). The latter was the first to raise its hood to the 5L V8 with direct injection. This engine initially producing 416 hp and 371 lb-ft of torque. This model made a career in North America, Europe and naturally in Japan. Interestingly, this IS F was as fast as the current IS 500 F Sport and had a significantly higher top speed (274 km/h). The IS F was registered in competitions. The IS500 F Sport will not defend the colors of the brand on the circuits. This role was assigned to the RC F (see other box) six years ago.

Sedan Where cut ?

For many motorists, the cause is already heard: the IS 500 F Sport represents a much better choice than the RC F (our photo). These two models have a lot in common. Same chassis, same engine, same gearbox, same drive mode. Only, the IS 500 F Sport is more functional (four doors are better than two), financially more accessible and just as efficient (acceleration and times). Even the “Track Edition” package offered exclusively on the RC F does not change anything, far from it. Designed for the track, this package ($36,700) features features such as carbon fiber appendages, ultralight rims and ceramic brakes.