Did the Lexus IS-F come in manual?
No. The Lexus IS-F never offered a manual transmission; it was sold with an automatic gearbox (with paddle shifters) throughout its production.
Overview of the IS-F transmission options
The IS-F was built as a high-performance variant of Lexus’ IS lineup and paired its 5.0-liter V8 with an advanced automatic transmission designed for quick, sporty shifts.
- Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with Sport Direct Shift (SPDS) and paddle shifters, tuned for rapid, controlled gear changes.
- Manual gearbox availability: There was no factory-manufactured manual transmission option in any market.
- Driver control: The car offered manual-style shifting via paddles, but this did not constitute a true manual gearbox.
- Markets: The same automatic setup was used across major regions, including the United States, Europe, and Asia.
In summary, the IS-F delivered performance and driver engagement through a sophisticated automatic transmission, and a conventional manual option was never produced for the model.
Reasons behind the decision not to offer a manual
Inside Lexus, the IS-F was developed to balance luxury and track-ready performance while controlling weight and cost. A manual transmission would have added significant weight and complexity, increased development and certification costs, and potentially limited reliability and warranty coverage. Market demand for a manual in a high-performance luxury sedan was also relatively limited at the time, leading Lexus to concentrate on an automatic with a sport-focused shifting character rather than a traditional manual gearbox.
Engineering and market considerations
Car executives emphasized a refined, consistent performance experience and world-language transmission tuning. The auto with paddle shifters provided near-manual control, quicker shifts, and smoother torque delivery in various driving scenarios—appealing to a broader audience than a pure manual configuration would have.
What this meant for enthusiasts and the lineup today
For enthusiasts hoping for a factory manual IS-F, there are no production examples to collect. The IS-F’s successors, such as the RC F, continued to use automatic transmissions, with no factory manual option introduced in the Lexus performance lineup. Some owners explore aftermarket conversions, but these are not endorsed by Lexus and can affect reliability, warranty, and resale value.
Enthusiast notes
If you’re seeking a Lexus with a true manual, you’d need to look at other models or generations outside the IS-F line, as no factory IS-F manual exists in any market.
Summary
The Lexus IS-F did not come with a factory-manual transmission. It used an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifting to deliver performance and driver engagement, while preserving reliability and efficiency. There was no true manual option offered in any market during its production run, and later performance Lexus models continued with automatic gearboxes.
