Lexus’ IS-based performance saloon, which was introduced to the South African market at the beginning of last year, starts 2011 with a fresh face.
Last year also saw the launch of a limited edition IS250C and the IS250 saloon gained LED daytime running lights, with 18-inch and 17-inch wheels being added to the IS250 SE and the rest of the range respectively.
More significant changes have now been made to the IS-F, however. Easily spotted by the addition of the rest of the range’s LED daytime running lights, the IS-F mimics the brand’s L-motif in the revised headlamp clusters.
Most of the changes have been made inside the cabin with a revised instrument cluster and a centrally-mounted rev counter reading 9000 r/min with an integrated digital speedometer. A smaller 330 km/h analogue speedometer is offset to the right. The Sport button has also been relocated to the steering wheel.
The IS-F is still powered by Lexus’ 5,0-litre V8 mated with an eight-speed Direct Shift sequential automatic transmission. It has peak outputs of 311 kW and 505 N.m of torque and in CAR’s March 2010 road test, the IS-F sprinted from zero to 100 km/h in 5,32 seconds.
As with all Lexus models, the IS-F comes with 4 years/100 00 km full maintenance plan and manufacturer warranty. The IS-F is priced at R792 900.
