andling Comments: With VSC off and Sport mode on, the IS-F has gallbladder-flattening grip on the skid pad, but not much feel for what the front tires are enduring. Gentle understeer becomes a resolute “push” when prodded beyond its happy place. I really had to manhandle the car to coax smokey oversteer: It first resists with chattering understeer, then with the brake-actuated limited-slip differential, which finally gives up and allows lurid slides, drifting 1.5 times around the skid pad on full opposite lock. Unlike the stubborn understeer we experienced on the skid pad, the IS-F’s tail gets pretty lively in the slalom, which ultimately is the limiting factor. Turn-in is amazingly good, with reassuring bite and grip that works up to a point when the tail begins to walk away gently. The Michelin PS2 tires are progressive and don’t fall off abruptly when max grip is exceeded. Steering is still phoning it in rather than telling me in person.
Braking Comments: Not one bit of ABS noise or flutter, but the tires lurched against the pavement a couple times. Highly fade resistant as the distances tumbled with each additional stop. The pedal is extremely hard under full-ABS stops.