The 2008 Lexus IS F Sedan in Detail
by EVANDER KLUM
Toyota Motor Corporation's Lexus luxury division expands its product lineup of elegant vehicle models with the launch of the al-new 2008 Lexus IS F high performance sedan model. The car will roll out in Lexus dealer showrooms all over the US early in 2008.
"With Lexus solidly established as a luxury leader, it was time to expand the brand's scope by offering unique high-performance models, and the IS F is the first. Lexus did not design the IS F as a direct competitor to any specific models, but as a true performance sedan in a distinctly Lexus way. The IS F is totally authentic with a unique interpretation of driving excitement at all speeds and provides a new definition of usable power." said Dave Nordstrom, Lexus vice president of marketing.
Just like any other Lexus models, the 2008 Lexus IS F also embodies the company's L-finesse design language. Outside, the car comes with a trapezoid-shaped front bumper fascia with the V-shape grille, widened front fenders, large brake cooling ducts, bi-xenon HID headlights with Lexus Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS), discrete silver front fenders, four exhaust diffusers, light-emitting diode (LED) stop and tail lamps, white LED license plate lamps, automated rain-sensing wipers, heated auto-dimming outside mirrors with integrated puddle lamps, and 19-inch forged-alloy 10-spoke design wheels produced by BBS.
The luxurious and elegant features continue on the car's interior. Design cues on the inside include aluminized composite trim, aluminum-rimmed main gauges, and unique steering-wheel treatment. In addition, the 2008 Lexus IS F also comes with special leather-trimmed sport seats in Black with blue stitching, standard SmartAccess keyless entry and push-button start, 10-way power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, pollen filter and smog detector, power moonroof with one-touch open/close and seven open-position settings, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, three-position front seats with memory function, and auto-dimming rear-view mirror with HomeLink garage door opener.
Now for audiophiles out there, Lexus offers a wide range of premium audio systems for the IS F. These include standard six-disc in-dash CD changer and 13 speakers, optional Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio System with 14-speaker audio system. This system is also capable of playing conventional CDs and DVDs, as well as MP3/WMA-formatted CDs.
Passive and active safety technology features also dominates the 2008 Lexus IS F. These include reinforced passenger compartment, seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, front-passenger front airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags, Lexus Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), advanced dual-stage front airbags, and Pre-Collision System (PCS). A rear back-up camera is also included to enable the driver to have a view on the rear potion of the vehicle when parking.
At the heart of the 2008 Lexus IS F is a high performance 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 416 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and develops 371 lb.-ft. amount of peak torque revving at 5,200 rpm. This power unit is mated with an 8-Speed Sport Direct Shift transmission. Other powertrain features include SFI D-4 (direct-to-cylinder injection system with secondary port injectors) fuel injection, Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i), dual air-intake system, Lexus fan clutch, and new Variable Valve Timing with intelligence and electrically-controlled intake cam (VVT-iE).
