The Lexus IS F sports sedan may have just debuted in the UAE and other GCC countries for the first time in 2011, but it has been around elsewhere since the 2008 model year. In fact, the Lexus IS F’s Middle East debut coincided with a 2011-specific upgrade. Also, we just wanted to make use of photos that were taken by Faisal Khatib back when we tested the car.
This one took a bit of scrounging, but we finally managed to bag a Lexus IS-F for a brief two-day test, thanks to our supporters within the UAE dealer. There is a long list of press people waiting to test this car, so we were almost ready to dismiss it. But after driving it, we’d say this is the first Lexus we’ve ever desired. You know, like, really desired.
Al-Futtaim Motors, the exclusive dealer for Lexus in the UAE, launched the new IS models, including the IS-F, at a Dubai Autodrome event.
The exclusive UAE dealer for Toyota has announced the launch of Lexus’ first high performance sports sedan from the ‘F’ series, the 2011 Lexus IS F.
The Lexus IS F is finally joining the Japanese luxury carmaker’s GCC line-up. Going on sale in the UAE by mid-October, the Lexus IS F luxo-sports sedan is designed to run with proper sports cars, and as such was track-tested heavily at Japan’s Fuji Speedway.
The Lexus line-up is going to expand for the 2011 model year. After sitting out the GCC market for many years, two new variants of the Lexus IS compact sports sedan will join the range, namely the IS 250 and the IS-F, alongside the existing IS 300. Also new will be the Lexus LFA supercar.
The European-spec Lexus IS has been facelifted, but with no real mechanical changes. However, the changes are so minor that we’re hard-pressed to figure out what they are.
In continuing recall woes for Toyota, the Japanese firm has announced that it will recall about 270,000 Toyota Crown and Lexus LS, GS and IS models worldwide, but only those fitted with the 4.6-litre V8 and the 3.5-litre V6 engines. Apparently some of these motors were built using faulty valve springs that may cause the car to stall while driving. Around 180,000 of these cars will be recalled outside Japan.
If you haven’t heard, Toyota now holds the record for the largest single recall ever. Involving nothing more than replacing overlong accelerator pedals that are prone to get stuck when a floor-mat slips under it, the recall was extended to an additional 2.3 million vehicles in the United States, up from the 3.8 million that were already recalled. Word is now that the recall will extend to 2 million cars in Europe, while Toyota offices around the world are in talks with various countries to make the recall global.
Toyota has agreed to replace the accelerator pedal with a shorter one on 3.8 million cars sold in the United States as part of its biggest factory recall in history. Cars receiving the modification will include the Toyota Camry, the Toyota Avalon, the Lexus ES and the Lexus IS.