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Driving: Lexus IS F, Lake Las Vegas, Nevada

Just a short drive away from the 24-hour glitz and “glamour” of the Vegas Strip is Lake Las Vegas, an affluent and well-manicured community that affords its residents and visitors a breathtaking view of the entertainment city’s skyline. It’s a place we called home for a few days while testing the all-new Lexus IS F, and as luck would have it Mother Nature coated the valley’s surrounding peaks with snow as we slept, proving that Nevada’s inner sanctum of sin can actually be quite beautiful. That type of scenery complemented the lake’s floating ice rink and the chilled air blowing across the desert. For people who want to enjoy Vegas action during the day yet escape after hours to a coddled and quiet place of rest, the Ritz Carlton at Lake Las Vegas is worth considering.

We skipped the city altogether, but the Ritz’s comfortable surroundings ensured we were well-rested and prepared for long days of romping along the perfect pavement found in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Our particular hot rod was coated in Ultrasonic Blue Mica, a color specific to the IS F, and came fully loaded with the Mark Levinson sound system, touch-screen navigation system, and more.

Performance

Until now, the 350 was the fastest IS variant, hitting a top speed of 142 mph and reaching 60 mph in only 5.6 seconds. That kind of performance is more than enough for even the most aggressive daily commuter, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the 416-horsepower IS F, which uses its bullish V-8 engine to score 170 on the top-speed-o-meter while passing the 60 mph mark in only 4.6 seconds. Obviously, anyone planning a test drive of the IS F needs to cleanse their mind of all they’ve come to know about Lexus, and prepare to introduce their senses to a new side of this Japanese luxury brand.

It starts with a tap of the push button ignition, followed by a healthy rumble emanating from the exhaust and a view of the speedometer and tachometer needles doing a full rotation before returning to their resting positions. Put some pressure on the oversized Brembos, slip the eight-speed tranny into drive, check the mirrors, and pound the go pedal with all your might. Make sure to hold on tight, as the IS F launches with tremendous authority, marked by negligible squat as the transmission glides through all its gears and the V-8’s secondary intake opens wide at about 3,600 rpm with an unmistakable roar. This is one of those cars that will indeed push you into its well-bolstered seats.

Impressive, yes, but some of us demand more control over our rides. The IS F satisfies that need, as well, thanks to the automatic transmission’s manual mode operated via up/down shifts on the gear lever or sizeable paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. If you’re having too much fun and lose focus, a single beep tells you its time to shift up and a double beep means you’ve got to get the rpm lowered before executing that downshift. Transitions are smooth, and Lexus suggests that in automatic mode they’re accomplished in 0.1 second – we didn’t pull out the stopwatch, but our gut reaction would seem to back up this claim. For those times when you and your IS F are stuck traveling amidst the masses, there will be time to appreciate the linear action of the throttle and the seamless operation of the transmission in regular ol’ drive, making this Lexus genuinely suitable for work and play.