February 1, 2008...5:22 pm
It’s on: Lexus IS-F vs BMW M3 vs Audi RS4 vs Mercedes C63 AMG
There is a small war brewing in Europe – to build the fastest, most explosive super-saloon ever.
With contenders like the new 420bhp BMW M3, the crazy 6.3-litre Mercedes C63 AMG and the stunning Audi RS4, the German power-war has never been so tempting.
But a new star has woken from distant Japan – the new Lexus IS-F.
Sporting a 5-litre V8 engine developing 411bhp, the Lexus IS-F is Toyota’s assault on the super-saloon market.
Its looks may be more discreet than others, but it certainly sounds the part – one insider described the engine note as a cross between a “hardcore BMW M3 CSL and a NASCAR racer.”
But most of the Auto Trader editorial team reckon the BMW M3 remains the top super-saloon:
Stuart Milne – “M3 all the way – only because the original is one of my favourite cars. I like the idea of its V8 engine, but I like the idea of the similarly-priced Nissan GT-R more…”
Keith Collantine – “The M3 and RS4 may dazzle with their brutal looks and composure bred through years of refinement, but the IS-F is an extraordinarily accomplished first effort from Lexus.
“For a manufacturer usually associated with worthy-but-a-bit-dull motorway cruisers, the IS-F is genuinely desirable and oozes the style of the hand-tuned drift machines of the far east – right down to the cheeky quad exhaust pipes.”
Adrian Hearn – “It would have been the BMW M3 but through the sheer madness of it I’ve got to go for the Mercedes C63 AMG. They’ve shoehorned the biggest engine in of the lot – purely for that.”
Andrew Goodwin – “I’ll have to go for the Audi RS4 because of its Quattro four-wheel-drive – and it looks the coolest by far.”
Dominic Sacco – “M3 for me – purely because I’ve had the pleasure of driving one – a virtual one – and I think M3s are ultra sexy.”
Vijay Pattni – “BMW M3. What was the famous tyre ad…‘Power is nothing without control…?’ And BMW made their name in super-fast small saloons.”
We’ll be driving the new Lexus IS-F next week so stay tuned to Auto Trader for the definitive verdict.
Auto Trader Blog RSS Feed
7 Comments
February 2, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I love the RS4 but my choice as always would be the M3.It was the best of its kind 20 years ago and still is!BMW’s M cars always seem to have the edge.
February 7, 2008 at 4:06 pm
From the sounds of things, the Lexus isnt the sharpest car. Which is a shame, because I own an LS430, and I was genuinely curious about this car.
For anyone with this type of cash lying around, I guess it depends what you’re after. Sports car, fast GT, or pose factor.
But at the moment, I have to say the Lexus is off my shopping list. Not quite sharp enough in the corners, a bit on the portly side, and while looks are obviously subjective, it doesnt move me anywhere near the M3.
It looks like the staus remains very much quo.
February 11, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I think that the new bmw m3 is the is on its way to be the king of sports cars as i own one and the new mercedes c63 amg which are both astonishing machines built to meet the buyers needs in luxury and comfort to race spec
February 11, 2008 at 10:35 pm
BMW M3 always….Who else can keep generating the handling that the “M” cars have? No one like BMW.
February 13, 2008 at 1:07 am
M3 all the way. For any car to match the M3 it will have to be 1 or 2 engine sizes bigger. C63 is 6.3, Lexus IS-F is 5, RS4 is 4.2.
That tells you how special M3s or BMWs in general are. To match a Beemer’s power, pace and specs other manufactures simply have to build bigger engines.
June 20, 2008 at 1:44 am
Firstly, the Lexus cannot even be compared with the Germans, yes it’s a beautiful car, but it’s gotta face the facts, it’s not German!
As for the Merc, I hate the C-Class, as it’s so damn ugly, you’d think with that much performance, they could at least make the car look a bit more sportier!
Now as for the Audi, I have got to say: I love Audis and they are probably the most beautiful cars on the road… but… but… it just isn’t a BMW!!!
June 26, 2008 at 8:27 pm
M3 is simply an exceptional car. It has it all, looks, pace, handling, room for four, and it turns heads particularly in White.
Its simply a dream car.
Leave a Reply