2014 Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD Review

[mugencivic4dr]

Can Lexus build a Bimmer beater?



The folks at Lexus are no longer content building bulletproof but boring luxury cars; they want to offer customers more passionate products. To meet this goal they’ve made their enthusiast-focused F Sport trim level available on six vehicle lines. These upgraded models target buyers who want more style and enhanced driving dynamics. Vehicles ranging from the RX crossover to the CT hybrid, all the way up to the company’s LS flagship are available in F Sport trim.

FAST FACTS
1. The 2014 Lexus IS 350 is powered by a 3.5L V6 that pumps out 306 horsepower with 277 lb-ft of torque.
2. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard on rear-wheel-drive versions of the 2014 Lexus IS 350 F Sport; models with all-wheel drive have to make do with a six-speed gearbox.
3. Base price for an IS 350 F Sport with all-wheel drive is a little more than $45,775 including an $895 delivery fee.
4. All F Sport versions of the IS feature a slick instrument cluster that’s nearly identical to the one in the Lexus LFA supercar.
Arguably the most interesting of those half-dozen models is the brand’s IS sport sedan, which was just redesigned for the 2014 model year. And most intriguing of all is the IS 350, which features the larger, more powerful of two available engines.



TOUGH CROWD

No matter how good the reinvigorated IS actually is it’s competing in one tough segment. The BMW 3 Series, while softer than ever in its latest inCARnation is still the sports-sedan gold standard. But the Bavarian flag-bearer is far from Lexus’ only problem.

The IS has to wrangle with other impressive products including Cadillac’s shockingly good ATS, not to mention the newly minted Infiniti Q50 as well as Audi’s ever-sophisticated A4. Is Lexus entering a machine-gun shootout armed with little more than a spork or is the IS 350 F Sport ready for battle? A quick glance at the spec-sheet reveals it does in fact have the goods to compete, at least on paper.

CHECKIN’ THE SPECS

As the name suggests, it’s powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine. It churns out 306 horsepower with 277 lb-ft of torque. While that works well, it’s slightly less muscular than some similarly sized engines offered in competing products. For instance, the ATS has a 3.6-liter unit that delivers 321 ponies, while the Q50 pumps out 328 courtesy of a 3.7-liter V6.



Rear-wheel-drive IS 350 F Sport models feature an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission. Versions with all-wheel drive make do with a six-speed gearbox. A manual is no longer offered on any IS model, which is a shame but hardly a surprise. Almost nobody bought them.

Still, it’s hard to argue with the automatic’s performance. Rear-drive models should be able to blast from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. All-wheel-drive versions are one tenth of a second slower; likewise they’re slightly less efficient.

Fuel economy clocks in at 19 mpg city and 28 highway for rear-drive IS 350s, which results in a combined score of 22 MPG. All-wheel drive models ought to deliver 19 around town and 26 on the interstate, making for an average of 21.

2014 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review - YouTube

F SPORT UPGRADES

Beyond regular versions of the IS, F Sport 350s benefit from a handful of upgrades; some of which are standard, others of course are optional, but they’re all pretty significant. First, cars get an adaptive variable suspension with several useful settings. The system is controlled by a knob mounted on the center console, which allows the driver to select from up to four different modes: Eco, Normal, Sport and Sport S+. Each setting is pretty self explanatory, with Eco delivering the best fuel economy and Sport S+ the most engaging drive.



One optional feature of note is Variable Gear-Ratio Steering (VGRS), which is available exclusively on rear-wheel-drive versions of the IS 350 F Sport. This technology is supposed to reduce steering effort at low speeds without sacrificing high-velocity responsiveness or road feel.

Aside from optional extras one of the IS F Sport’s coolest standard items is the LFA-inspired instrument cluster. It’s comprised of a digital display screen and a sliding bezel. The circular center section moves left and right depending on what information is being shown. At first glance this seems like a gimmick but after fooling around with it the gauges do look pretty cool.



Aside from all of this the car also gets a number of exterior styling changes including unique wheels, a bolder-looking mesh grille and larger openings in the front bumper to help cut down on brake fade. Inside, F Sport versions of the IS offer passengers specially bolstered front seats, a steering wheel wrapped in perforated leather as well as unique trim.

Of course it’s also worth noting that the F Sport package is available on IS 250 models, but they’re significantly less powerful and much less interesting than the 350.

SEE ALSO: Lexus IS20 Review

PUTTING THE SPORT IN F SPORT

Whipping an all-wheel-drive IS 350 F Sport around an autocross course quickly revealed that Lexus has engineered a car that’s both able and agile. It’s an all-around capable machine that feels balanced and poised… and that’s just in “Normal” mode.

Switch the car over to Sport S+ and everything becomes sharper and more direct. The suspension stiffens up, culling body roll. Additionally the throttle responds noticeably faster and gear-changes are quicker. In cars equipped with VGRS the steering feel gets heightened as well.



Though far from explosive, the car builds revs rapidly. Power is delivered in a very linear fashion, which is appreciated because some of the turbocharged competition can feel a bit lumpy. All-wheel drive keeps unwanted wheel-spin at bay and ensures there’s always plenty of traction, no matter the weather.

Surprisingly for a Lexus product, the IS 350 F Sport’s engine makes quite a bit of racket, though only when you really punch it. At full song, the powerplant sounds terrific, with an unexpectedly throaty growl.

PRICING

The base price of a bare-bones IS 250 is $36,845, including $895 in destination and delivery fees. An all-wheel drive F Sport model with the smaller engine should sticker for $42,415.



Higher performing rear-drive IS 350s start at just over 40 grand, again including those pesky fees. Adding the F Sport package increases pricing to about $44,000. Opting for the all-wheel drive IS 350 F Sport will cost you at least $45,775.

THE VERDICT

The IS 350 F Sport is an engaging car and one that helps reinforce the brand’s focus on performance. But is it better than a BMW 3 Series? How does it compare the Cadillac ATS?

Without driving all of these vehicles back to back it’s tough to say. But I can sum things up like this: Whether you’re on the street commuting to work or an autocross course enjoying a few hot laps, the Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD is a capable and entertaining machine. It may not be better than some of its main rivals but it’s certainly in the hunt. It’s a strong contender that brings unique styling to a conservative segment. If you’re in the market for a luxury sports sedan, this Lexus F Sport model is worth serious consideration.



LOVE IT
Sharp exterior styling
Throaty engine sound
All-wheel-drive traction
Sporty driving dynamics

LEAVE IT
Eight-speed transmission should be standard
A little more power would be nice
Not very fuel efficient

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacture...view-3518.html

[mugencivic4dr]

Lexus IS 350 F SPORT Named Esquire Car of the Year

The 2014 Lexus IS 350 F SPORT has been named the Esquire Car of the Year:

This is a deeply Japanese machine in the best way, a hypersensitive steamroller of a car that has as much in common with a German autobahn weapon as a Gundam suit does with a Walther P38. The industry has never been more concerned with green, but it’s also never been a better time to buy an honest, gutsy, fast set of wheels. The IS 350 F Sport is all that. And it’s the Esquire Car of the Year.

Regardless of how much value you place on a car award from Esquire, the magazine chose the IS F SPORT over every other vehicle released in the last year. It’s also worth noting that the person writing for Esquire is Sam Smith, the executive editor of Road & Track.

What do you think, is this just the start of the awards for the new Lexus sports sedan?

http://lexusenthusiast.com/2013/10/1...r-of-the-year/

[mugencivic4dr]

Interview with Lexus IS Deputy Chief Engineer Naoki Kobayashi

Lexus IS and the human-machine interface
October 4th, 2013 by Will McManus

We talk to the man behind the Lexus IS about the connection between vehicle and driver, and why it is so difficult to create a perfect in-car environment.



Lying at the heart of the Lexus IS driving philosophy is the Human Machine Interface. HMI is all about creating a unique driver’s space, one that combines a sense of ‘snug roominess’ with technologies that anticipate – and complement – human emotions. We asked the man responsible for IS development and engineering, Deputy Chief Engineer Naoki Kobayashi, to give us an insight into some of the key elements of HMI.

Lexus Blog: The IS has a tight, sporty cockpit that Lexus describes as ‘snug yet comfortable’. Is the IS more about snugness than space?

Naoki Kobayashi: We tried to achieve a good balance of both. We wanted to achieve a sense of togetherness between car and driver. First, we optimised the driving position to achieve snugness. The hip position was lowered, and improvements made to the seat shape to hold hips and thighs while maintaining the driver’s posture. IS drivers can place their body weight on the backrest so that they have more freedom of limb movement. ‘Snugness’ is achieved by holding drivers physically, including via the console knee pads, while a sense of ‘spaciousness’ comes from a visual openness. Not just from passenger visibility, but also from the design of the instrument panel and centre console.



LB: The contrast between soft and hard silver surfaces is a big part of the HMI ‘look’. Is there a clear connection in a driver’s mind between cabin materials and a car’s purpose? Does more wood always mean more luxury, and more metal mean more sportiness?

NK: People do tend to have stereotypical images for metal and wood – cold, warm, hard, soft – based on past experience and knowledge. Just looking at those materials triggers images in the brain that have a big impact in evaluating them. Wood gives relaxed and peaceful images, while metal gives progressive and strong ones. They’re both effective in creating a feeling of luxury and sportiness.

For the IS, we’re using different materials depending on grades, for instance, metal for F-SPORT.

LB: What’s the difference between ordinary seats and the ‘integrated foaming construction’ seats that are a Lexus first in the F-SPORT?

NK: A conventional car seat is designed like a stuffed toy, with a formed cushion wrapped in a seat cover. In our integrated foaming construction seats, there is no separation between the cushion material and the seat cover. They’re ‘integrated’.

This design has many advantages. There’s no cover to slide or float on the cushion. We can give a more comfortable ride with the soft surface of the seats because we don’t have to add tension to the seat cover. A firmer cushion allied to a better body-fitting shape allows snugness to be improved. Plus of course there are great advantages in terms of seat cover wrinkling.

LB: The IS’s synthetic leather seat option is an interesting new ‘third choice’. What was the thinking behind this offering?

NK: The thinking behind offering this ‘third choice’ of synthetic leather, which is positioned between cloth and genuine leather, is reasonability. The synthetic seat cover achieves reasonability – moderate price, stain resistance, durability, lightweight – with a good-looking appearance at the same time. Just like when you buy your shoes, you can choose the seats according to your purpose and your own sense of values.



LB: Lexus has paid a lot of attention to the instrumentation in the IS, with bezels painted to create an indirect lighting effect and the F-SPORT’s clever ‘sliding’ meter, inspired by the LFA. How important is this area of a car’s cabin?

NK: The instrument panel is extremely important. It describes the character of the car and influences the driver’s emotions, and drivers are always looking at it.

The IS was designed not only to make drivers conscious about driving but also to let them concentrate on their driving, without distraction. To achieve that we wanted to give IS a feeling of natural operability.

In terms of the meter design, it’s a kind of symbolic item that describes the car’s performance and condition. We decided to create meters that weren’t just easy to see but also progressive and captivating in their design.
LB: Do Lexus customers associate the IS’s analogue clock with luxury, or is it purely a decorative preference?

NK: When we find something that fits with IS, we’ll use it. Many people love the analogue clock. So do the designers of IS. We feel it represents the essential concept of “relaxing spaciousness”, and expresses the passion of designers who want people to enjoy a relaxing time with the IS.

One of the greatest attractions of the analogue clock is that can give different impressions depending on who is looking at it, and when it’s seen. It could be 9:55, five to ten, 10 o’clock, just before 10… Non-digital provides a wide variety of attractions – mechanical, peaceful, relaxing, nuanced, historical, 3D.



That’s the Lexus take on the connection between car and driver – but what human/machine elements would you like to see in the next Lexus?

http://blog.lexus.co.uk/2013/10/lexu...ine-interface/

[mugencivic4dr]

2014 Lexus IS Nominated for North American Car of the Year Award

The Lexus IS has been nominated for the 2014 North American Car of the Year, an annual award given by a jury of 50 North American auto writers.

The IS is currently up against 12 competitors, including the BMW 4-Series, Cadillac CTS & Corvette Stingray — the next round of voting will pare down the competition to just three vehicles. From there, a winner will be selected and announced at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

http://lexusenthusiast.com/2013/10/0...he-year-award/