Lexus IS-F - The Jekyll and Hyde of Performance Sedans
Earlier this week, we had the pleasure of tuning a Lexus IS-F at our new Albany workshop, and it reminded us why this car remains one of the most thrilling performance sedans ever built.
At low speeds, it’s composed and understated, a luxury cruiser with impeccable manners. But push the throttle past 4000 rpm, and the entire personality of the car changes. The 5.0-litre 2UR-GSE V8 transforms from calm refinement to unfiltered aggression as the variable valve timing (VVT-iE) system swings into its high-lift cam profile.
The change is dramatic. The exhaust note hardens into a metallic snarl, the induction note takes on a race-bred howl, and the surge of torque arrives with ferocity. The crossover isn’t subtle; it’s deliberately exaggerated, giving the IS-F its signature Jekyll-and-Hyde character.
Unleashing the Dual Personality
When tuned, that transformation becomes even more pronounced.
Our AutoUpgrades IS-F performance calibration sharpens throttle mapping, refines ignition advance, and rebalances torque delivery to make that high-rpm switch sharper, louder, and even more electrifying. Below 4000 rpm, the IS-F remains smooth and composed, but once the VVT system opens up, it’s like pulling the pin on something mechanical and slightly unhinged.
The Yamaha Connection
This engine’s dual nature isn’t accidental. The 2UR-GSE was co-developed with Yamaha, who engineered the cylinder heads and intake system for maximum breathing efficiency and acoustic precision.
The result is a naturally aspirated masterpiece that thrives on revs, capable of spinning past 7000 rpm with a distinct Yamaha-tuned crescendo that few engines can match. Our tuning builds on that foundation, preserving Lexus refinement while amplifying the visceral, high-revving experience.
Acceleration becomes crisper, torque builds harder, and the soundtrack grows richer, every shift and surge a reminder of how special this V8 really is.
Refinement and Fury
The IS-F’s brilliance lies in its duality. It glides through city traffic in silence one moment, then erupts into a full-throttle symphony the next. Our calibration brings that split personality into sharper focus, smoother when you want it, sharper when you need it, and ferociously rewarding when you open it up.
If you’ve ever wondered what your IS-F could feel like without its factory restraint, this is it: the full spectrum of Lexus performance, unfiltered and alive.
Check out the IS-F Tune here and experience the transformation for yourself, refined civility on one side, feral exhilaration on the other.