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
15 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!!!
March 6, 2009 at 4:36 pm
you should have go to specsavers, then read more about cars and drive them before you speak. how you could compare ordinary german car with one of the most beuatiful designed cars, reliable, comfortable and such a pleasure to drive. it has just been created,almost the same speed and performance( less bhp) like so called sporty germans. it is not on the market for 20 or more years like bmw or merceds, but it will be like basic toyota beat the german cars more than 10 years ago and still carry on.
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.
July 12, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I own the latest model M3 (in white) and I must say it is an exceptional car.
It has everything,nothing else comes close!!
August 7, 2008 at 12:50 pm
M3 for everyday use its a car to chill and relax in but the mercedes is a Nuke!!
August 7, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Well it’s easy to compare a light sport cope to two 4 door sport salons, compare the M3 with the Audi R8 and you see the difference.
http://www.royal-auto.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/abt-r8.jpg
Justin you mean nothing comes close to Veyron.
For people who don’t like Mercedes check this out.
http://germancarscene.com/wp-content/uploads/mercedes-supercar-31-08-06.jpg
August 20, 2008 at 12:23 am
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!!!!!!
October 5, 2008 at 11:58 am
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
March 6, 2009 at 4:46 pm
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.
October 14, 2008 at 9:50 pm
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