But yeah, 8 gears is way way to much. Just imagen that car on a tight sircut. BTW Eric Hanson, BMW’s engineering is far far far better than MB and Lexus.
A 6.2 liter V8 (it has a 6.2 and not a 6.3 liter V8 like alot of people asume) with 451 Hp, NOT impresive. A 5.0 liter V8 with 416 Hp, NOT impresive x 10. A 4.0 liter V8 with 414 Hp, VERY MUCH IMPRESIVE.
With the smallest enjine, with the least amount of power the BMW M3 is still KING OF THE HILL in its class, after all the years…..

I have a question for you. What are you on about? Tests like these are usually done with either no one in the car or with a camera man. The final test of the IS-F is a joke. I seriously doubt the way they tested it on camera is the way they got their lap time.

The IS-F is far more muscle car like than the M3, and just a tad less than the AMG… The M3 is still superior to 60 and on the track than the IS-F and is actually more comfortable. I have read reports on this. I personally have driven the new M3 and am about to go and test the IS-F. I’ll let you know which was more comfy.

You can’t really compare the quality of the M3 to the IS-F since the IS-F hasn’t been through the years like the M3 has. For all you know the Lexus could have a recall in 2 months because of a falty gearbox that could potentially burn through the clutch at racing temperatures and speeds. Who knows? I don’t, and neither do you.

PS: There are far too many gears in the Lexus! 8? Overkill and possible racing party foul…

Also interesting that the least deniable muscle superiority of the IS-F is somehow skipped entirely in the so-called “specs” comparison that only lists horsepower. And of course no mention of the superior ergonomics, comfort, and overall driveability of the IS-F, nor any expression of acknowledgement that the Lexus will provide enjoyment well after the BMW or Benz have been rebuilt if not scrapped.