2008 Lexus IS-F performance sedan

Lexus IS-F will be presented in Geneva

Powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine, the new Lexus IS-F sports sedan is clearly aiming at BMW M5 and Audi S6 high-performance vehicles.

Its 5.0-liter V8 produces about 400bhp of power and 368 lb-ft (500 Nm) of peak torque. That’s enough to accelerate the Lexus IS-F from zero to 60 mph in only 4.9 seconds and achieve a top speed on 168 mph.

2008 Lexus IS-F performance sedan

The engine is mated to Lexus’ latest eight-speed manumatic transmission with paddle shifts, so expect a decent mileage and more dynamic acceleration.

The company says that it takes the gearbox some 100 milliseconds to upshift. Not bad but it is still miles behind the DSG gearbox, which takes only about 8 milliseconds to switch to a higher gear.

There’s still no info on the vehicle’s expected price and a list of standard and optional equipment.

2008 Lexus IS-F performance sedan (front view)

Photos: Lexus

See also: Lexus GS 450h to join the Force