The Lexus IS F is an underrated slice of Japanese muscle. It's won over the whole team here at Torque and left us all scanning Japanese auctions, weighing up whether we could justify buying one for ourselves. The IS F is one of those cars that gets under your skin, and most of that comes down to its thumping V8.
This particular example is the Blazing Terracotta Edition, one of only 50 ever built, and it's been subtly enhanced to sharpen up its handling and bring it to E90 M3 standards.
This Specific IS F
Owned by a good friend of Torque GT, we've seen this car through our doors a few times over the years, always for routine servicing or modification and never for mechanical problems, because as we all know these Lexus are built to last.
It's a Blazing Terracotta Edition, a limited run of 50 cars sold through Japanese dealerships from March 2009. Each one got semi aniline sports leather, a genuine leather steering wheel and an interior finished in a terracotta and black combination you won't find on any standard IS F. There's an embossed 3D "F" badge stamped into the headrests too.
What makes it so great
By the mid to late 2000s manufacturers were having a 'V8 off' with each other, and Lexus wanted in on the fun. They dropped a naturally aspirated 5.0 litre V8 into what had until then been a fairly sensible compact executive saloon. Developed with assistance from Yamaha, the result was a refined engine that produced 417bhp and sounded fantastic doing it.
The torque doesn't really arrive until well past 5,000rpm and the engine wants to be revved out towards its 6,800rpm limit before it shows you what it's got. That's part of the appeal. In an era of turbocharged everything, a screaming NA V8 in a Lexus saloon is a strange and brilliant thing, and owning one that won't burden you with repair bills is a bonus.
It was criticised at the time for only being available as an automatic rather than offering the manual option its German rivals had, but the 8 speed box in the IS F was ahead of its time and makes everyday driving a dream. Flick it into manual mode and take over with the paddles and you'll soon get used to how it behaves, at which point you'll realise it offers a genuinely engaging drive.
What makes this one different
This isn't a standard IS F. It came with a handful of modifications from Japan, and we've since improved its handling further with an adaptive Tein suspension setup, modernising its capabilities and sorting out the numbness and body roll through the bends that the IS F was often criticised for.
LEMS front bumper and lip
Fitted in Japan, the LEMS bumper and lip give the car a noticeably more aggressive stance without tipping into boy racer territory. It suits the IS F's proportions well and it's not a part you'll see on many cars over here.
LEMS titanium exhaust and intake elbow
A full LEMS titanium exhaust system and matching titanium intake elbow, both well known and well regarded in Lexus circles. Titanium systems like this aren't cheap, and they free up the V8 to sound the way it should have from the factory.
Tein Flex Z with EDFC5
Underneath, the ride is handled by a Tein Flex Z coilover setup paired with Tein's EDFC5 controller and GPS module. The EDFC5 is genuinely clever kit, adjusting damping automatically based on cornering, acceleration and braking forces, and learning your driving style over time so the car firms up exactly when it needs to and softens off the rest of the time. It means you get a comfortable daily ride and sharper body control when you actually want it, without having to touch a dial.
Dixcel brakes
Dixcel SD discs, Z type pads and RF328 brake fluid round out the braking upgrade. It's a sensible, well matched setup rather than an over the top track focused one or an underwhelming street setup. This car carries momentum well, and having confidence in the brakes lets you enjoy it fully.
Enkei GTC02 alloys
Staggered 19 inch Enkei GTC02 wheels finish the look, replacing the factory alloys with something a little more purposeful. In person the fitment and stance is unreal, the photos barely do it justice.
Full spec at a glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Edition | 1 of 50 Blazing Terracotta Edition, built March 2009 |
| Exterior | Metallic black paint, factory original throughout |
| Interior | Two tone black and terracotta semi aniline leather, embossed 3D F headrests |
| Drivetrain | LSD (limited slip differential) |
| Front end | LEMS front bumper and lip |
| Exhaust and intake | LEMS titanium exhaust system and titanium intake elbow |
| Suspension | Tein Flex Z coilovers with EDFC5 controller and GPS module |
| Brakes | Dixcel SD discs, Z type pads, RF328 fluid |
| Wheels | Staggered 19 inch Enkei GTC02 alloys |
| Audio | Mark Levinson sound system |
Interested in modification, or after your own?
This is exactly the kind of car we specialise in sourcing. If there's a specific IS F, or anything else JDM, that you've been trying to track down, talk to us about importing one. 
Start shopping for modifications and service items using our make and model search function or contact us for expert advice.
