What was the last year Lexus made the IS F?
The last year Lexus produced the IS F was model year 2014. This high-performance variant of the first-generation IS was not carried into the second generation, as Lexus shifted its performance focus toward the RC F and other models.
A quick look at the IS F’s life
The IS F (code XE20) arrived to give Lexus a direct competitor to established German performance sedans. It employed a hand-built 5.0-liter V8 (the 2UR-GSE), a tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, and distinctive exterior cues signaling its performance intent. It was mainly positioned for the North American market, with limited global availability.
Technical highlights
Core specifications included a 5.0 L V8 producing roughly 416–423 horsepower depending on year and market, an 8-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, rear-wheel drive, and a sport-focused chassis setup. The IS F offered a distinctive exhaust note and strong straight-line acceleration for its class.
Production timeline and what followed
Below are the key milestones in the IS F’s production life and how it ultimately concluded, followed by context on why the line ended and what Lexus pursued next.
- 2007: Public debut of the IS F concept at the Detroit Auto Show signals Lexus’s intention to offer a high-performance variant of the IS.
- 2008 model year: IS F goes on sale in the United States and other markets as Lexus’s top-performance IS model, powered by a 5.0L V8 (2UR-GSE) with an 8-speed automatic.
- 2014 model year: Production of the IS F ends; Lexus shifts its performance focus to the RC F, introduced later that year as the new V8 flagship.
Before diving into the milestones, note that the IS F debuted as a concept in 2007 and reached market launch as a 2008 model in many regions.
Together, these milestones show the IS F’s run from the late 2000s to its end in 2014, after which Lexus redirected its high-performance emphasis toward the RC F and other platforms rather than continuing the IS F in a second-generation IS lineup.
Why the IS F didn’t continue into the second generation
Lexus reoriented its performance strategy around the RC F and other models as the IS platform moved into a new generation. Costs, shifting market tastes, and a decision to consolidate performance engineering around newer platforms led to the discontinuation of the IS F. The second-generation IS therefore did not receive a factory F variant, with the RC F stepping in as the brand’s V8 performance flagship.
Summary
In brief, the IS F ended with the 2014 model year. It served as a V8-powered halo for the IS lineup during its tenure, after which Lexus redirected its performance capabilities to the RC F and other models, while the standard IS lineup continued without an F variant.
