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 GTR 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.
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Fellas
I drove the Lexus like ya should with sport turned on……….MONSTER…..very underestimated imo
The M3 just wants to fight all the time……Was worn out
SORRY to any lexus owners but come on get a grip if you have 50k to burn well good for you it be worth 15k in two years now c63 m3 um i own a m3 white mint car and my pal owns a c63 both great cars but my 50k m3 was bought with hard earned cash so the m3 is the way to go as second hand prices and market will allways be there for the m3 but a 6.3 merk i just think the second hand market will be hard for this great car and deiving the pair the merk sounds fantastic and is a great bit of kit but i think its a merk a doctors motor a old mans car well to look at anyway driving it is a diffrent matter its a holagons motor but the m3 ha what can i say every body loves the m3 and at 34 i loved every one of the cars and a pal owns a old 96 plate m3 with 140k and its still a great car to drive and all i can say is drive all the cas but drive them for a day not just a test drive m3 all the way you can drive it as a fiesta drive it like a evo or drive it like a porsche but just playing around with the m settings 10/10 but the price tag is high and the price loss in first two years is mental but that is with all three cars but if you can not afford to loose 20k in two years but a fun two years buy a three year old motor and you still smile your head of but get an m3
sorry but only german cars are able to lose more than 60% of their price within 3 years, not japanese. check, lexus is famous for its reliability and keeping price, it was the car who did beat mercedes in US when they start to sell it there and still it’s better in any aspect.
I have to say many stupid people picking the M3. Its a BMW, people who think they are all that own those things. The Merc is ugly and who would buy a Japan made car the is dominated by the Germans. The RS4 is the way to go. No stupid trigger shifting, it has the power the looks. Audi makes the best and will always…..And look out M5 owners, RS6 comming soon!!!!!!