Lexus: Japan takes on Germany in Geneva

Toyota’s luxury division set to show performance models

Lexus is planning to add some Japanese flavour to the mix of European debuts at the Geneva show. On hand to represent Toyota’s luxury division will be the new IS flagship — aptly named the IS-F — which will take a spot beside the LF-A supercar concept and the latest iteration of the luxurious LS.

Both the IS-F and LF-A concept will be making their European debuts, having been first unveiled at the Detroit motor show in January. Lexus claims the ‘F’ designation identifies vehicles specifically designed and engineered for high performance and sports driving dynamics.

The F-badged vehicles will be the flagships of the brand, and further emphasise Lexus’s ‘pursuit of perfection’ mantra. With the IS-F, Lexus is aiming to pursue already firmly established rivals in the sport sedan category. The company’s competition from Ingolstadt already has a V8 fitted under the bonnet, and Munich’s M3 will have a V8 when it appears in Geneva.

Living up to expectations, the IS-F is powered by a 5-litre V8 engineers have shoehorned into the engine bay. It is claimed to deliver more than 395bhp and 369lb.ft of torque with sprints to 62mph achieved in 4.9 seconds, while top speed is governed to 168mph.

An eight-speed transmission, specially tuned for the IS-F, summons gear changes. The gearbox features what Lexus calls ‘sports shift control’ which allows manual shifting via ‘paddles’ on the steering wheel, or fully automatic gear engagement. The IS-F is also the first Lexus to feature a vehicle dynamics integrated management (VDIM) system, which can be switched between three arranged settings: ‘normal’, ‘sport’ or ‘off’; enabling the driver to modify the car’s reactions to steering and acceleration input.

The LF-A concept is Lexus’ second attempt at gauging public reaction to a forthcoming supercar. First seen at the 2005 Detroit motor show, this latest version has received certain styling tweaks reflecting the ‘L-Finesse’ design language. The supercar concept employs a racing-inspired 5-litre V10 engine claimed to generate more than 493bhp and giving the LF-A a top speed approaching 200mph. The forward/mid-engine layout with rear-mounted transaxle and radiators is said to give the car an ideal 50 per cent front/rear weight distribution for ultimate handling precision.

If both the IS-F and the LF-A demonstrate advances the luxury carmaker has made in developing performance technology, the LS 600h shows how a luxury vehicle can be refined to deliver power while retaining high efficiency. By combining a 5-litre V8 — fitted with two fuel injectors per cylinder and ‘intelligent valve timing’ on the intake — with a parallel hybrid system, the car manages to boost performance and reduce emissions.

Together with an electrically-controlled continuously variable transmission sending power to all four wheels, the LS 600h is claimed to deliver performance typical of a V12 while returning a combined fuel consumption rating of 29.7mpg and CO2 emissions of just 220g/km.

For more pictures of the IS-F click here

For more pictures of the LF-A click here

Lotus Sport 2-Eleven

Lotus Sport’s new Exige-derived track tool

Track day warriors rejoice! Lotus’s performance division, Lotus Sport, is launching its long-awaited 2-Eleven at the Geneva show next week, and it looks the business.

Aimed at the true track day enthusiast, the 2-Eleven weighs in at just 670kg and produces 252bhp and 179lb.ft of torque through a supercharged and intercooled 1.8-litre engine. The power to weight ratio is claimed to be similar to that of a 1960's Formula 1 car, allowing the car to reach 60mph from a standstill in 3.8 seconds and top out at 155mph.

Under the 2-Eleven’s 40kg composite skin, mechanicals comprise of a Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger (with a sealed-for-life internal mechanism negating use of the engine's oil), four high capacity injectors, an up-rated fuel pump, and a back-up engine oil reservoir with twin oil coolers. A sports-type clutch plate with heavy duty clutch cover put power down through the lightweight aluminium six-speed gearbox, mimicking the ratios of the Exige S.

The Lotus 2-Eleven uses a unique high-sided variant of the Lotus Elise lightweight chassis structure featuring epoxy bonded aluminium alloy extrusions. This package features a safety system with a glass-fibre reinforced composite front crash structure allied to a high sill chassis for side impact protection. Additional features include an FIA compliant six-point rollover structure with integral harness mounts and a galvanized steel rear sub frame.

A fully-independent suspension – utilizing unequal length wishbones and a set of two-way adjustable Öhlins dampers with coil over springs – are charged with keeping the car poised and predictable around bends, and the handling will certainly be enhanced by the adjustable front anti-roll bar and rear double shear track control arm brace. Lightweight five-spoke forged black alloy wheels (staggered 16-inch front and 17-inch rear) shod in Lotus Sport-specific Yokohama tires further serve to ensure grip at all four corners.

Stopping power for the car is provided by 288mm cast iron cross-drilled and ventilated discs with aluminium alloy AP Racing two-piston callipers at the front, and Brembo single sliding pistons at the rear. Lotus’ track tuned servo-assisted four-channel ABS system is also employed.

There will be two different versions of the 2-Eleven, though a ‘launch edition specification’ (comprising of a specific Lotus Sport colour scheme and racing decals) will be the initial offering. The road-legal car fitted with front and rear lights, exhaust catalyst, single plane rear wing and other items achieves compliance with UK requirements; while the track only version gets an enhanced aerodynamics package with a high-downforce single plane carbonfibre rear wing, high downforce front splitter, brake lights, rear indicators and a FIA approved driver’s race seat.

Production of the new track car is scheduled to start in April at Lotus’ manufacturing facility in Hethel, Norfolk, with pricing starting at £39,995.