Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus, will be releasing a high-performance variant to add to its 'IS' range of sedans. The new sports sedan from Lexus, dubbed the IS F, has been designed to compete with the likes of BMW's M3, Mercedes C 63 AMG and Audi's RS4 - all of which have been established in the sports sedan market for some time now.

But while the Lexus IS F may not have experience and recognisability on its side, there is still a card up the newcomers sleeve. In a bid to build its sporting credentials and offer customers an incentive to stray from the usual choices in the sports sedan segment, the Lexus IS F will come to market with a recommended retail price of $129,000 - significantly beneath its three major rivals.

Cheaper than rivals, more power than an M3
The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, which features slightly more power than the IS F and around 100Nm more torque will set you back around $144,000, while the BMW M3 (which has less power and torque than the upcoming IS F) will set you back a hefty $170,000 for the automatic-transmission coupe.

The Lexus IS F features a compact 5.0-litre V8 engine developing over 311kW and 505Nm of torque, 2kW more power and 100Nm more torque than the latest BMW M3. In addition to an impressive powerplant, the rear-wheel-drive IS F will have its power transmitted to its wheels through a Sports Direct Shift (SPDS) gearbox with no less than eight gears, offering up-shifts of just 0.1 second. Meanwhile, the Mercedes C 63 AMG and the BMW M3 both have to make do with a mere seven-speed gearbox, giving the IS F another number in its favour - though the M3 offers its seven speeds with a dual-clutch mechanism, which offers the benefits of a manual with the ease of an automatic.

Fully optioned at entry price
Another point in the Lexus’ favour comes from its value for money. The vehicle which arrives in dealerships late this month will come fully equipped - the only option is to delete the moonroof.  Lexus is hoping that the IS F's low price and long list of standard features will allow Lexus to establish the "F" brand, and build credibility beyond its core "luxury" vehicle market. Both the C 63 AMG and the BMW M3 have long lists of options that can cost buyers several extra thousand dollars on top of the already expensive prices for these models.

By pricing the IS F so competitively, Lexus may be able to overcome the lack of sporting heritage associated with its brand, although the luxury car market remains fairly stubborn in these matters - heritage carries a lot of value, whereas money isn’t as central a concern as it is in other segments.

Lexus IS-F gallery

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