Lexus Showas us that they can do performance too
The fact that Lexus have made a sports car means you can take a couple of things for granted straight away. It will be civilised when it needs to be. It won’t break. It will be laden with equipment. It will have some of Japan’s finest engineering in the form of a throbbing 5.0-litre V8 putting out 417bhp. Plus an eight-speed automatic with the fastest gear changes this side of an F1 car, writes Paddy ComynThe engine, which was developed alongside Yamaha, who know a few things about high-revving engines, is actually whisper-quiet around town, with just the faintest rumble about its potential. The gearbox is happy to change between its eight cogs leisurely and aside from a slightly firmer ride, all remains well with the world for the Lexus driver.
Performance
However, flick the paddles behind the steering wheel and stamp down your right foot and the V8 barks and bellows and some five seconds later and you have already hit 100km/h and there is plenty more where that came from. On a circuit near Seville we were let loose and the results were pretty startling. This car is nothing short of brilliant on the track. Not only because it flatters the driver but also because it has great steering, superb brakes, and is playful enough to never make you feel like you are being restricted by some electronic shepherd. The Brembo brake discs show no side of fading even after several laps and the fact that the test drivers were reporting 40-odd fault-free laps is testament to what buying a Lexus performance car will mean. This car is lightweight, supremely agile and ferociously fast.
As an alternative to the Audi RS4, Mercedes C63 AMG and BMW M3, this first effort is a credible one and while it might not have the pedigree for some connoisseurs, this is a good sign of things to come from the brand at a performance level.
Eagerly Awaited
The news that just 15 cars are coming to Ireland, all of which are now accounted for, will also be bad news to anyone with designs on owning one any time soon.
THE INFO:LEXUS IS_F
Engine: 4,969cc V8, 417bhp,
505Nm of Torque
Transmission: Eight-speed
auto, rear-wheel drive
Performance: 0-100km/h 4.8
seconds Max Speed 270km/h
Fuel Economy: 11.41/100km
CO2: 270 g/km
Price Range: €107,500
Also Available: With a Sunroof! |
The price tag, at €107,500 is not going to put off potential owners and for that they will be getting an extraordinary car. Lexus in Ireland are ‘hopeful’ of securing more cars if production allows, but until then, it will be the chosen few who will get to experience this most refined and well-mannered of sports saloons.
|
