Lexus IS F Prepares To Muscle Up And Shed Pounds

Lexus is out to show the world it is serious when it comes to German-rivaling sports sedans.

The first indication came with the arrival of the Lexus IS F (see TMR's roadtest review) in 2007 and now Lexus is planning on turning up the heat on its V8 powered sedan just a little further.

The success of the standard-issue IS F has prompted Lexus to investigate options for a ‘top-tier’ model that delivers better performance and a more exclusive image for its brawny four-door.

Although the V8 engine will remain as-is, the IS F will go on a strict carbon-fibre diet to strip weight and improve handling.

Front and rear bumpers are to be revised, along with wide rear over-fenders - all fashioned out of carbon-fibre - and other panels will come in for the carbon treatment to match.

Carbon-ceramic brakes will be part of the package too, keeping weight down and improving braking performance.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="The standard IS-F as it currently appears"][/caption]

Power will be channeled to the tarmac through new light-weight, 19-inch wheels wrapped in 245/35 front and 275/30 section rear rubber.

To complement the revised look of the car, a range of exterior colours will be available - but for those who’d like to show off the advanced engineering of the car, a ‘raw’ carbon fibre finish is also tipped to be offered.

Inside, the standard IS F's front pews are replaced with light-weight, carbon-framed, leather-clad Recaros. Rear buckets are trimmed to match and a carbon-fibre centre console helps shave weight. Total weight savings for the car are estimated to be around 140kg.

Inevitably, comparisons are going to be made to the philosophically-similar Nissan GT-R Spec V. Like the light-weight GT-R, the carbon-clad IS F will come with an impressive price penalty: expect something in the region of the roughly $100,000 price jump the Spec V carries over the standard GT-R.

Due to the labour-intensive carbon-fibre manufacturing process, production of the as-yet unnamed IS F variant is to be strictly limited, but if you're looking to bait owners of AMG, M or RS cars, then the low-fat Lexus may be just the thing.

Gallery - IS F

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[7Tune.com]