2008 is shaping up to be a great year for performance cars. Yet more good news has come our way with Lexus confirming that their new Lexus IS-F compact sports sedan will make it to our shores. We have previously covered the Lexus IS-F in some detail (see link at the end of this article) but a quick refresher is probably in order.

The IS-F is in our humble opinion the best looking Lexus product yet created. Sure, the Lexus LF-A V10 supercar is shaping up to be one of the best looking cars period but until its release (and final styling) are known the IS-F is bringing sexy back to Lexus.

The IS-F will feature a 300kW/474Nm 5.0-litre V8 engine strapped on to an eigth-speed automatic transmission that includes a lock-up clutch and limited-slip transmission. That puts it slap bang in the middle of E92 V8 M3 (to be released later this year) and the current model Audi RS4 territory. Knowing Lexus it will be better built and prove more reliable than both.

The ‘F’ in IS-F is for Fuji as in Fuji Speedway the Toyota owned racing facility that it considers the home of Lexus performance development. The ‘F’ is also said to symbolize the first corner of Fuji Speedway…

Lexus Australia’s divisional manager John Roca is somewhat excited by the coming IS-F.

“The IS-F is the embodiment of performance,” he said. “Just by looking at the vehicle you know that it is something special. It will be the ultimate in performance cars and Lexus’ first performance-specific model. In a nation that worships its performance sedans, the IS-F will tickle the senses of all enthusiasts, whether they are behind the wheel, passing the car on the street or just hearing it rumble by,” said John Roca.

There is no doubt that those are fighting words and while we doubt the Lexus IS-F will be the be all and end all of performance sedans we do believe it will be a belter and open the doors of Lexus to a whole new legion of owners and fans.

The Lexus IS-F has killer looks and the latest in performance specifications. No doubt the price will be steep but its only money…right?

Lexus IS-F more detail

Source : GoAuto