Lexus IS F-Drive since 2008 sedan

Perfect start

Lexus is always considered a worthy, but purely civil application. He could only dream of anti-info-modifications (like German opponents for a premium D-segment). Although the inclinations for that there were good chassis potential, rear -wheel drive, Toyota technology.
 
In order to finally mature, it took time. The first generation successfully drove the abbreviation IS. The people recognized the car, fans around the world gradually appeared (the sedan and the station wagon were sold in America, Europe, Japan under the name Altezza). Three years ago, the second generation made his debut, which made the ruler even more successful and recognizable. And then it's time to radically raise the status to Little Lexus! So in January 2007 in Detroit, the most toothy of modern Lexus IS-F debuted. Because of the ocean, he showed a blue fist of the eminent German Trinity. A little later, the landing of compact athletes landed in Europe after a debut in Geneva.
And to Russia, the first legal copy reached only a year later. We waited for IS-F for a test for almost six months! And all the time they were afraid that someone would put him to us, hit, offended how often it happens with fast cars in car journalistic practice. In early summer, I first saw the pearl IS-F at the parking of the Russian representative office Lexus. But then it was only possible to stare at him. Walked around, I liked it! In mid -autumn, they finally gave the sedan to touch. But we started the test anyway by examination. The appearance was pumped in European. The car became more muscular in the zone of wings and bumpers, and the large wheels with rubber Bridgestone Potenza 225/40 R19 in front of 255/35 R19 behind ended the image. With a package of external improvements f, the car has found the appearance of unshakable and finished. But that's not all. Such a super-sedan needs stroke strokes that add. In IS-F, these are the letters L with the reverse inclination on the sidewalls, which begin with slots on the wings and stretch along the thresholds. Well, of course, the pipes of exhaust pipes are vertically vertically. The solution is so simple and radical that it has already been copied by the representative of the high automobile fashion Ferrari California!
And inside there is no sports pomp. Why show -off a car, which has a five -liter motor under the hood? Bukoki F here and there, the finish with material resembling the structure of carbon, and aluminum in color, metal overlays on pedals and armchairs with severe support. Perhaps everything. More and not necessary. Here the mood is born not due to jewelry, but due to the internal content of the machine. When you start the latest V8, the blood does not begin to boil simultaneously with the supply of fuel to the cylinders. The engine is tightly hidden in its compartment and only fits in heating with an exhaust. There is no such clearly iron sound with which the M3 motor warms up. Lexus is more intelligent.
If it comes to sports, then in the cabin you should not pay attention to anything other than the convenience of planting and verified ergonomics. The chairs not only look soft, they really are like that. You sit down and drown. Good and comfortable, but it seems that before the first serious turn. The erroneous opinion of Valika of lateral support is well fixed not only the back, but also the legs. They hold tenaciously, but gently. There is no place for compromises in sports, but if we are talking about city sports, then such compromise chairs IS-F are the best choice. The motor warms up, the revolutions are falling, and in the cabin it becomes very quiet. I roll out in a dense evening traffic and find that there is no possibility of enraging the engine properly.
The food calmly, smoothly accelerating on the moment that the bottoms are generously equipped. I promote the engine to a maximum of 3500 and am surprised at how quiet it is. The machine, as a good sports referee, is completely invisible. He somewhere in the bowels there, so quickly and smoothly changes the steps that I began to suspect him of the desire to appear to be a variator. It is good that on a small board between the devices you can display information about the inclined transmission. The sixth speed is 70 km/h, on the tachometer less than 1,500 rpm. Sport hid. And I unacceptably relaxed as if not so! As soon as a free take -off strip opened ahead, I instinctively put an accelerator on the pedal. The machine started up, threw off three steps, and the engine's voice suddenly cut through a juicy beautiful baritone, which before cutting off accompanied the movement of the tachometer. So the exhaust with a surprise! My heart also made a kick-downs and clogged in a rapid rhythm. Cars froze on the sides, everyone turned around
But the cork, like a black hole, quickly sucked free space, and IS-F merged with the stream. It is generally well disguised. Take away four pipes from behind, no one will think that under the hood of a compact sedan as many as five selected Japanese liters of a specially prepared motor! The traffic police officer respectfully pulls five liters and thoughtfully gives me documents. Five liters! The guards are sentenced at the parking lot and respectfully crooked their lips. Is it a lot or little if it comes to a really small car? As practice shows, just right! The Japanese tried: the motor organically joined the design of the machine and does not have a negative effect on controllability. The amusing, although not perfect, is close to such (55/45). Modern leaks go along the path of complicating the design and introduction of additional electronic systems, one way or another interfering in the management of the machine. So IS-F is not behind. The proprietary system of monitoring the dynamics of VDIM constantly operates with brakes, a steering wheel with a variable transfer of transmission, gearbox, stabilization system and track control.
In addition, specifically for this VDIM machine was equipped with an imitation of a self -locking inter -axis differential. The latter works, even if you completely turn off the stabilization system (long -term pressing). The work of the self -block becomes noticeable in really hot modes, when the driver is tilting adrenaline, the driver, in turn, rape the tires, and they leave holes in the asphalt. Car explicitly polishes the surface of the highway with two wheels. Here she is the dream of drifter! We liked how the electronic self -block works, it allows you to accurately lead the car in power sliding. If you have euthanized ESP, then the mood is good and you are not averse to chewing Carlson, to play a little. It is clear that it is better to do this in places specially prepared. Still, 400 horses, a small base, rear-wheel drive and sharp steering wheel is thin.
However, for the beginning you can simply make VDIM work on a sports program. This is not only exacerbating the response of the car, but also untie the driver of the hand a little. A couple of times I had a lot of fun to catch a sedan in a fairly deep skid (the electronics stabilizes the car only when he feels that it was about to turn around). Little Lexus travels no worse than its legendary competitors from Germany! But he does it in his own way. IS-F car is correct. His brakes are powerful, grip and not prone to overheating. The designers in the air ducts took care of this, which lead to front disks and calipers, an adult will easily put a fist. And what a feedback! Slow down can be filigree to dose with only effort. The machine behaves impeccably. In imposing modes, you are going on LS 460. And when the racing madness begins, the box sharply drops the transmission, the electronics meanwhile makes the whipping bit! The steering wheel is not as transparent as on RS4 or M3, but this connection is enough. In addition, the reaction of the car to operation is comfortable with a narrow roller fast and linear. Undressed masses did not bother me once by our styer shod in light super -strength sneakers already at the factory.
That is why IS-F An excellent student in all disciplines, intelligent or fierce, but always a very driver. And drift, and the drag, and the ring he is everywhere in his element. To reveal its potential is completely difficult, but very exciting.
The Japanese with their characteristic prudence and scrupulousness on the first attempt created an equivalent competitor to European opponents. It is worthy of respect. And his little Lexus is worthy. IS-F could be a crumpled pancake, but he was lucky to become a pioneer. This is the first non-European car in the League of Compact Super Sudans D-Class.
NOTE
Engine and gearbox
V8 2ur-GSE The most powerful Lexus engine. The aluminum block of cylinders from the representative sedan LS 600H is taken as the basis, but the shape of the combustion chambers has been changed. More light and durable connecting rods, pistons and valves were installed, and the camshafts are hollow for better oil circulation, which is regularly supplied even with serious lateral loads, and it is cooled using a special radiator. On the engine there is a branded double intake system (direct and in the intake manifold) and the VVT-E gas distribution phase adjustment (instead of hydraulics at the inlet, a faster electric motor is used). The throttle ditch with electric drive provides a precision fuel supply. Eight -speed automatic light (aluminum case) and compact (shorter than six -band). To withstand increased load, it was specially reinforced and equipped with a radiator of cooling of the transmission fluid. A number of gear rates remained the same as LS, but the management program was redesigned, the box was also provided with a new hydrotransformer (which is better coping with the increased moment). In manual mode, the transmission is carried out in just 0.1 seconds.
Suspension
The IS suspension was covered in capital. High -strength steel levers, and swivel fists made of aluminum. The springs have become much tougher, the compression buffers are located as low as possible. These are the consequences of the fight against rolls and clicks. Gas shock absorbers are one -pipe. Silent blocks of mounting the rear suspension subframe became tougher. The fastening points of the entire rear suspension are also changed.
Disks and brakes
Especially for the Lexus IS-Fs, BBS is made by super-light forged 19-inch discs. They are much lighter than standard 18-inch cast for IS. Brembo development brake mechanisms. Six -piston calipers with drives with a diameter of 360 mm are installed in front, and 345 mm disks and discs are installed behind. The brake discs are ordinary, metal.
 
Leonty Tyutelev

 

Source: Motor magazine [November 2008]