Lexus IS-F sets precedent for future F-models, even if critics think it’s ugly

“We have to establish our own identity as a Lexus..."

Thats something I like about them, they didnt try and copy others, but made their own design for bodykits. But I still dont like how they look like. Either way, its a good start.

i think the IS-F is gorgeous so these critics... whoever they are... are blind

I'm blind so I'm deboosting you :)

I will nod that it is a unique design. I think it will be a reasonably successful. Black looks great IMO. I still have not gotten used to the side vent that is located in front of the doors. I no longer hate it, but still seems out of place on this car.

Yeah. I expected darker colors to look better and it does. I like the front/side view but not the rear.

if the report of the press car driven hard and having a FIRE by the front brakes was true, then the vents NEED TO BE EVEN LARGER for proper cooling! ;)

it's still an ugly aftermarket design.

hopefully they'll accommodate the ISF in the base designs of the next gen IS rather than making it an afterthought.

It's a nice, albeit ricey, design..
As for who's gonna buy it - I don't know how large the 60+ year old rice-boy population is (who are willing to shell out $60K+)?

Most of those people will be buying M3s and 911s.

The IS-F looks like an aftermarket body kit on a IS350 that has been lowered too much. The IS-F just does not have an integrated look. While I think the regular IS is OK looking ALL Lexus automobile now look alike.

the 350 looks just ok?? lol..it would probably look better if it had a mercedes or bmw logo right?

Only Mercedes or BMW will never put their logo on something as hideous as a Lexus design.

I don't find it ugly atall.It's very Different,energetic,fresh and attractive.

JGUNU

that's how a true Lexus fanboi will see it...

All I can say I don't think it was a good move to lift the hood of the Tundra for the IF-S.

:(

Yeah I definitely wouldn't call this car ugly, it's tacky in a couple of areas like the tailpipes & the side vents which are growing on me (Side vents that is, hate the tailpipes), but overall the cars profile & front end look great.

Selecting the right color for this car however is important, I think we can all agree on the Black IS-F pictured above.

The IS350 boasts a nearly perfect design (with the five-spoke wheels, at least), but the IS-F just doesn't look right. Obviously we've had time to get used to it, and it does not shock me like it used to, but it's just not as integrated or as attractive as the M3, RS4 and C63 AMG. The rear is nice... the front is off-putting.

I agree with enthusiastx11 in that they should design the next-gen IS-F right along with the base IS from the start.

it will all depend on the outcome of the IS-F in sales and consumer feedback. remember this was done by a 300 man team coming up with this division, with little to no help really from Lexus/Toyota (as it wasn't their focus)

but if the IS-F does well, which i believe it will, we can expect the new IS-F to be completely incorporated with the next gen IS and also closer in competiton with the rest of the pack.

the IS-F surprised a lot of people, even the german manufacturer's...and hopefully toyota/lexus (and hopefully TRD) have acknowledged the gains avail in this market and can capture a piece before it passes them by.

i also agree with u S4, when i heard about the "is 500" , i already had my 350 and i wanted to add the x package because i liked the rims. i think the 250/350 looks great and even though i am very interested in the isf, i wish it would have looked more like the 350. Also, thanks for your unbiased opinions. Alot of people here automatically put down a car because they prefer other brands, but you actually think about it before giving your opinion.

"remember this was done by a 300 man team coming up with this division, with little to no help really from Lexus/Toyota (as it wasn't their focus)"

Yes, exactly! This is the problem with this generation IS-F. The next one will presumably be developed with the others, which should be much better.

i don’t have any problems with the looks.

critics are just over fussy, and maybe JEALOUS that this car outaccelerates the competition.

the high hood, i understand, is less harmful to pedestrians. it also reminds me of CLASSIC auto designs, where a long/large hood was suggestive of a LARGE ENGINE, and hence, a POWERFUL CAR.

and from this design perspective, the high hood makes FAR MORE SENSE than the infamous bangle butt!

which suggested that despite taut lines over the rear half of the car, it still maybe had a decent sized trunk! who cares!? it was butt-UGLY.

this is-F hood at least suggests POWER!

I just think you can't see past your bias. I'm being completely serious. How can you not admit that this car has a design flaw? It has NOTHING--I repeat NOTHING--to do with classic coupes with big hoods. Their big hoods were PROPORTIONATE with their designs. The IS-F's is not. The IS-F's hood is only there because they had to stuff the huge engine in.

And in what way does this car outclass the competition? It matches them in some respects, but beats them in none, as far as I know.

maybe it's YOU unable to see beyond a heavy pro-german bias?

this MOST DEFINITELY IS NOT as EYEBALL JARRING as the bangle butt!

and it's NOT so disproportionate either, except for us all having gotten SO USED TO SEEING honda civics with hardly a bump above the front bumper. it IS far more sleek than early '50s caddys and buicks, which also had bulging hoods to suggest power (there was a lot of EMPTY space below, for those who've ever peeked under can attest).

if one can manage to get BEYOND just parroting the initial criticisms, it could even look sorta cool in a way. just think "Lexus LOCOMOTIVE!" ;)

...AS those who've...

another classic with a "disproportionate" but yet beautiful oversized hood, just OOOZING with suggestions of big power: the Cord 810.