Lexus's Fast and Furious IS-F

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As you'd likely expect of a Lexus, those brakes are part of a sophisticated electronic chassis and ride control system that includes ABS, traction control, electronic stability control, electronic brakeforce distribution, and more, all integrated into a specially-calibrated VDIM, or Vehicle Dynamics Interface Module. And, yes, you can turn just about everything but ABS and the limited slip rear differential off in track mode.

Grueling track

We had plenty of time behind the wheel, a good part of a day spent at the grueling Laguna Seca track, near Monterey , California . It's an unforgiving course, with fast straights, demanding corners, and a corkscrew that defies the faint-of-heart. Blasting out of the pits, the IS-F took off like a racehorse, blasting into and back out of the first turn.

The wheels always seemed well-planted, the steering well-tuned to the demanding course. With all the electronic control systems on, we ran a series of laps, steadily picking up our pace. Turning to track mode required a little more work. It's easy to forget how much the electronics will do for you. But this allowed us to hang the wheels out a little more, pushing ourselves even more aggressively around corners.

Later in the day, we turned off onto the back 30-mile stretch of Carmel Valley Road , one of the most challenging stretches of public asphalt in the country, with blind turns, rough pavement, off-camber turns and fast elevation changes.

The electric steering, as earlier noted, was clearly up to the task. It's easily the most connected system in the Lexus line-up, and while it's not quite as precise as BMW's M3, it stands up to the other contenders to that throne.

The IS-F's suspension doesn't yield easily. It remains glued to the road until you realize make a mistake, and then the electronics kick in to reel you back in.

The sedan debuts in Japan by year's end, but won't reach showrooms until next March, though a special edition is being offered in the annual Neiman-Marcus Christmas catalogue for $68,000. That limited-edition version comes with a ticket to the Lexus driving school which is worth about $5000. So, while final numbers have yet to be released, we're looking at IS-F coming in around $63,000.

Will the car accomplish what Lexus intended, which according to Farley, is to attract the sort of European intender "who absolutely previously never had Lexus on their shopping list"?

Dedicated BMW fans will likely still turn up their noses, especially those single-mindedly focused on the new M3. But for the rest of us, the IS-F is going to draw some attention, and more than a few buyers. It's got a ways to go before it has everything down to the level of science the Europeans have achieved, but it's a lot more than just brute force jammed under the hood of a Lexus. This is a serious contender that should only get better with each succeeding generation.

2008 Lexus IS-F

Base price: $63,000 (est.)

Engine: 5.0-liter V-8, 416 hp/371 lb-ft

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with manual shift, rear-wheel drive

Length x width x height: 183.5 x 71.5 x 55.7 in

Wheelbase: 107.5 in

Curb weight: 3,780 lb

Fuel economy (EPA city/hwy): 16/23 mpg

Major standard features: Power windows/locks/mirrors; AM/FM/CD audio; steering wheel-mounted audio controls; digital climate control; power seats; remote keyless entry; alloy wheels

Safety features: Anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control; dual front, side and curtain airbags; active head restraints; tire pressure monitors

Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles

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