Here’s a video to go along with Auto Express’ comparison test of the Lexus IS-F, BMW M3, Mercedes C63 and Audi RS4, though the RS4 is omitted from the footage, due to the fact that it’s been discontinued:

It’s nice to see all three cars as they cut a line across the same track, but the presenter doesn’t address the comparison test at all.

We’ve seen some photos of the Japanese special edition Elegant White Lexus IS, and now here’s a weird little commercial to go along with it:

It wouldn’t be so strange if the cat didn’t seem to have such a bizarre pose, but it is what it is.

(I still can’t stop thinking about the Passionate Black GS limited edition. If it came to North America, it would immediately take #1 spot in the “My Next Car” sweepstakes.)

A couple weeks ago, when it was announced that Lexus would be promoting the IS-F strictly through movie theaters rather than a traditional TV campaign, it had me doubting just how soon the adverts would show up online, but as it turns out, the wait wasn’t very long at all:

If I had to choose, I’d say I liked the “blue streak” commercial best. I like the length of the ads, and I can imagine they would make a fairly strong impression on a giant movie theatre, sandwiched between other, longer ads. (My main complaint with commercials before movies is that it’s always these drawn-out, extended versions of existing ads.)

To mark the European debut of the Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Lexus put together a truly spectacular video, albeit with no actual in-motion footage. Click the photo below to be taken to the mini-site:

I imagine this would have been used as a video introduction to the vehicle’s unveiling at Frankfurt, and it’s hard not to get excited about this concept all over again. I can’t wait for the production announcement.

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Also included in this small LF-A Roadster mini-site is a PDF brochure, which is jam-packed with interesting information, including this blurb about the F-Logo:

The Lexus LF-A Roadster is the latest car to be unveiled by our high-performance F-Marque division. Developed at Fuji Speedway and the Higashi Fuji Technical Centre, our two-seat supercar concept combines technological sophistication, leading-edge engineering and unparalleled refinement. To recognise the special role of Fuji in the project, the new “F” logo design integrates some of the most demanding corners of the Mount Fuji track.

This is the first time I’ve seen it mentioned that the F-Logo actually incorporates elements of the Mount Fuji track right in the actual design. Top-notch.

This Lexus-produced video showing the manufacturing process of the IS is full-on fantastic:

I’ll admit to a soft spot when it comes to this type of behind-the-scenes video footage, and no matter how many times I read about it, it’s mind-boggling just how quality-obsessed Lexus really is. I was particularly impressed by the electronic tools that report every minute detail, which is used to build an entire build “history” of each car. Not only that, I don’t think I’ll ever look at wood in a luxury car the same way again, I had no idea just what lengths were taken to achieve the end result.

If you remember the Lexus IS-F vs Audi RS4 video that was posted online last week, this new video is from the same people, and it’s similar in results and sketchiness:

Watching the IS-F demolish a host of older cars doesn’t really do much for me, and I don’t think there was a single fair fight to speak of in the entire video. I debated not posting it all, but it’s still great to see the IS-F jump off the line, regardless of the competition.

I noticed earlier this week that Lexus was featuring the ES 350 heavily on their US site, and it seems to have extended to TV as well:

Every once and a while, a classic Lexus LS 400 clip will show up on Youtube, showing the car up against its competitors, and it always amazes me just how throughly Lexus thought out their first model. Here we have a 1990 video clip from Top Gear, putting the LS 400 up against the Mercedes 420SE, Jaguar 4.0, and the BMW 735i:

To think that the Mercedes cost £4000 more than the LS 400, and didn’t even come with air conditioning or a radio (mind you, it was the long-wheelbase version). I’ve read that the luxury brands at the time were fairly complacent, but I had no idea of the extent.

Timo Glock, Toyota’s latest F1 driver, was filmed taking the Lexus IS-F out for a racetrack spin, and I’m not all that sure how comfortable he looks:

Now that’s one serious driver, I would have liked to see him compete in the Best Motoring comparison. The result might have been quite different.

Turns out there was more than one part to the Best Motoring comparison that I posted about a couple days ago. Get comfortable and and take a look at this 20 minute video (for quickness’ sake, the two main competitors as I see them, the BMW M3 and the IS-F, are at 1:25 and 13:36 respectively):

Again, there seems to be an issue with improper shifting with the IS-F, but regardless, the stats against the BMW M3 broke down like this:

Lap Time

Grip

Drift

No matter how subjective the Grip and Drift ratings may be, these are numbers coming from a highly respected source, so it’s hard to find fault with the results. One thing’s for sure, it’s no question that these cars are neck and neck, and I imagine that’s exactly what Lexus was gunning for.

[Via: Auto Spies]