Performance Review: Lexus IS 350 - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lexus IS Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lexus IS 350 is the 8 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Lexus IS has a 3456cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The IS shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the IS's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1640 kgs (3615 lbs) this makes the Lexus IS 350 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Lexus IS shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3456cc 24V V6 engine produces 306 bhp (228 kW) @ 6400 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 277 lb-ft (375.5 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lexus IS you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1996 Maserati Quattroporte 3.2 V8 Biturbo (211.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lexus IS.

The Lexus IS has a Power to weight ratio of 186.5 bhp per ton and 168.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 IS competing with the 1996 Maserati Quattroporte 3.2 V8 Biturbo (211.5 bhp per ton) or the 2007 Subaru Impreza RB320 - Hawkeye (211.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lexus IS generating around 168.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (193.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (193.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Lexus IS 350 as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs). This Lexus IS 350 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the IS and the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel

When talking about the performance of the Lexus IS on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.45 secs @ 94.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel (14.41 secs), the 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS (14.42 secs), and the 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (14.42 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the Lexus IS 350 has a maximum speed of 142mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 IS equals the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 Lexus IS 350 then how about the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph), the 2004 BMW X5 4.8is V8 (153 mph), or the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (153 mph).

Related Links:

2013 IS Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lexus

Car Comparison