Under The Hood: Lexus IS-F

Lexus approved the regular IS sedan in early 2004. Shortly after, a senior engineer assembled a small team and started working on a performance version: it would become the IS-F. Having been developed at Fuji and the Nürburgring, its existence was announced in late 2006 and premiered in October 2007. The body is specially modified to be more aerodynamic than the original, but the most notable feature is the engine.

The engine isn't a 4 cylinder like a regular Lexus IS; it's a 5-litre V8 engine with 416 horsepower. It accelerated to 100kmh in 5.2 seconds and got to 270 kmh. This clearly attracted the attention of the Humberside Police, who modified one for their own use in 2008. The ISF also was involved in several other interesting concepts including the Racing Concept and the Circuit Clubsport. The ISF was a worthy challenger to the BMW M3 and Mercedes AMG models and has since been replaced in spirit by the RCF.