THE F-WORD FROM LEXUS

By Harvey Schwartz New from Lexus in 2011 is an IS 350 model with an upgraded F-Sport Package featuring more aggressive exterior styling, more sporty cues inside, and more aggressive driving capability under the skin. For those potential IS 350 buyers, this new model fits smartly between the standard IS 350 and the high-performance IS-F. More aggressive styling is seen up front with an F-Sport front lip spoiler, and unique F-Sport black zigzag upper and lower lattice grille inserts. Flanking the vehicle are special F-Sport badges located on each front fender. Adding to more aggressive handling capability are wheel-wells stuffed with 18X8 front and 18X9 rear Dark Graphite alloy wheels shod with Dunlop 225/40R18 front and 255/40R18 rear SP high-performance tires. Rounding out the exterior upgrades is a rear decklid spoiler, increasing downforce and handling performance. New this year are standard front HID headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, and rear LED brake light clusters.

Utilizing the more aggressive body and tire enhancements is an F-Sport-tuned double wishbone suspension up front, and multi-link setup in the rear. The gas-filled shocks are re-valved, the coil springs are now higher rate, and the front and rear stabilizer bars are thicker. This new suspension tuning provided faster reaction times and more precise steering inputs. The electronic power-assisted, rack & pinion steering system is sharp as a tack—easily guiding us through tough corners and staying rock solid at high speeds on the open road. While the ride is stiffer, it is never harsh—even when traveling over poorly paved road surfaces in Los Angeles. The new 2011 IS350 F-Sport gets to 60 mph from a standstill in just 5.4 seconds and can top out at 150 mph.

The interior cabin gets several sporty cues and custom front bucket seats. You’ll notice the aluminum scuff plates with Lexus lettering when you open each front door and the aluminum-faced foot pedals in the footwells. You place your hands around a perforated, leather with baseball stitching, custom three-spoke steering wheel with an F-Sport medallion inserted into the bottom. The special 10-way power adjustable, heated, leather-trimmed front bucket seats with microfibers inserts are cut deep at the sides, all the up to your shoulders, keeping you firmly in place during your spirited driving times. You’ll also notice the gray metallic trim on the center console, above the glove box and on each of the door switch-plates. All of the leather-trimmed pieces inside feature white contrasting stitching. Standard factory equipment, along with the $2,440 F-Sport package, is the potent, high-revving 3.5 liter DOHC, all-aluminum V6 engine with VVTi and Direct-To-Cylinder precise fuel injection that cranks out 306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The smooth shifting six-speed automatic transmission with Intelligence and steering column mounting aluminum paddle shifters provides quicker acceleration from the IS350 F-Sport when the time and place is right. You’ll safely stop with four-wheel, power-assisted disc brakes, 13.15-inch spiral vented discs up front clamped with four-piston calipers, and 12.2-inch vented discs clamped with dual-piston calipers in the rear. The car is enhanced with standard ABS, EBD and BA. The standard stability control and traction control electronics can be turned off to let the rear slide out and straighten out steep curving roads.

Standard luxury and convenience features inside include Smart Access with Push Button Start/Stop button, power tilt/slide moonroof, electroluminescent gauge cluster with trip computer, a 194 watt Lexus Premium audio system with 10 amplifiers and 13 speakers, AM/FM/six-CD changer, automatic sound levelizer, Bluetooth technology, USB audio plug, XM satellite radio, a rear bench seat with leather trim and microfiber inserts to keep your backseat passengers in place during your spirited driving times, air-vents out the rear of the center console to more efficiently send cool or warm air into the rear seat section. Our F-Sport came equipped with the Lexus Navigation system with backup camera, Lexus Enform, with Destination assist and eDestination, Lexus Insider, voice command, XM NavTraffic, XM NavWeather, and XM Sports and Stocks.

Priced at $41,010.00 for the IS 350 with the F-Sport Package, Lexus has given their IS 350 consumers something more to ponder about when shopping for a new IS. There is plenty of power from the standard high-revving V6 engine, but it can now be infused with more high-performance handling capability, more aggressive styling, and more interior sporty cues to keep any enthusiast happy at the wheel of the new 2011 Lexus IS350 F-Sport.

© Words supra and pictures by Harvey Schwartz For more information about Lexus products, go to lexus.com For more information about Harvey’s photography, click here

SPECIFICATIONS Name: 2011 Lexus IS350 F-Sport Price: $43,612.00, as tested EPA mileage specs: 20mpg/city, 27mpg/highway Engine: 3.5 liter DOHC, 24 valve, dual VVT-i all alloy V6 Horsepower: 306 at 6,400 rpm Torque: 277lb.ft. at 4,800 rpm Drive configuration: Front engine/rear-wheel drive Transmission: Six Speed automatic with intelligence and paddle shifting Front suspension: Sport-tuned, independent double-wishbone with high-mount upper arms, coil springs, gas-filled shocks, stabilizer bar Rear suspension: Sport-tuned, independent multi-link with high-mount upper arms, coil springs, gas-filled shocks, stabilizer bar Wheels/tires: 18X8 dark graphite alloy wheels/225/40R18 front, 255/40R18 rear tires Brakes: Front: 13.15-inch vented spiral vented discs/four-piston calipers Rear: 12.2-inch vented discs/dual-piston calipers ABS, EBD, BA Dimensions Total length: 180.3 inches Total width: 70.9 inches Total height: 56.1 inches Curb weight: 3,527 pounds