Lexus IS F Kansas

Points: 367.9

Nobody likes to finish off the podium, but it's not as bad as it might seem for the first Lexus to wear the stylized "F" — and the first Lexus capable of decidedly "non-Lexus" performance in the vein of the BMW M3. Its explosive 0–60 and quarter-mile times of 4.2 and 12.6 seconds put it second in the test, just a tick slower than the Mercedes. A slalom weave of 70.9 mph also puts it in second, behind the BMW. Pass the 3600-rpm transition point...and be deep into the throttle...the 416-bhp 5.0-liter V-8's dual-geometry intake manifold transforms the induction note from a Lexus purr to an angry race-car rasp whose low-frequency vibrations would rattle the interior trim of a lesser car.

And its 8-speed paddle-shift transmission? Said Andrew Bornhop: "It makes us all feel like excellent drivers...and I love how you can get wheelspin in 2nd gear while accelerating hard — not many automatics allow that!" For a torque-converter automatic, the system is simply the best of the breed in shift quickness and aggressive self-blipping of the downshifts. Bravo!

Other great attributes are the best seats of the lot, agreeably bolstered and covered in a perforated ivory/black leather combination. The wheel is a thickly padded 3-spoker, with bumps and depressions in all the right places on the rim. The main instruments have needles that glow in signature blue lighting, easy to read at a quick glance.

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