Lexus Officially Halts Production of the IS F

2012 Lexus IS F (Credit: © Lexus)

Lexus has officially announced that the IS F is dead, as the final example of the performance sedan rolled off the assembly line donning an Ultrasonic Blue Mica paint. The IS F’s upcoming demise was pretty clear when the 2014 model hit dealers wearing last-generation bodywork, while the IS 250 and IS 350 sedans both received a full redesign. There were hopes that a redesigned body was coming for the powerful sedan, but this was apparently not the case.

It’s not too surprising to see the V-8-powered IS F disappear, as its main competitor — the BMW M3 — has received an all-new, 3.0-liter, turbocharged engine that puts out 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, while the Lexus produced just 416 ponies and 371 pound-feet of torque. This left a huge power and weight gap that would have rendered the IS F obsolete moving forward.

There is a silver lining to this passing cloud, as the upcoming Lexus RC F and its 5.0-liter V-8 pump out 450 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, giving hope to a future return of the IS F with the same engine. With this V-8 power in tow, the IS F could match the M3’s performance while giving buyers that all-motor feel that the turbocharged M3 lacks. And realistically, with the RC F battling the M4, it seems only logical for Lexus to release a new IS F to battle the new, turbocharged M3.

Unfortunately for now, the IS F has taken its last stroll down the line in the Tahara, Aichi Prefecture assembly plant.