Since it's launch in Japan in 1998, the Lexus IS series has always had at least four doors and, for a while, was offered with five. But Toyota's 3-Series challenger has never directly taken on the Munich's coupe or convertible models. That may change soon though as Lexus' Australian Manager John Roca has dropped a hint about an IS coupe. In a press release for a limited edition IS250x Roca is quoted as expressing excitement about upcoming models including "the V8-powered IS-F and potentially, an IS coupe in the future." It will be interesting to see what Toyota has on their stand at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.
[Source: DieselStation.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
indymcsc @ Jul 27th 2007 9:30AM
They really need a manual transmission in this car.
Ricky @ Jul 27th 2007 1:16PM
They do have a manual transmission on this car, IS250 only though.
Don @ Jul 27th 2007 3:21PM
I've driven the is250 stick...very quick and nimble. I'd take one over the is350 any day of the week.
.03 @ Jul 27th 2007 9:40AM
bland...gimme a G37
SSBR @ Jul 27th 2007 9:45AM
2 door IS = new Solara. Bring it on. Toyota made a hit with the 1 - 1.5 gen Solara, very beautiful car (basically a SC with a Toyota badge). But the 2nd gen was ugly. Lets hope Toyota doesn't mess this up. It hasn't had the best luck now a days (Tundra problems, some quality issues.. etc..)
www.rolesor.com
1337 @ Jul 27th 2007 10:44AM
The SC is so ugly, though... It is also RWD and is entirely unrelated to the Solara.
hashiryu @ Jul 27th 2007 11:18AM
ummm...the solara is fwd, slow and hardly sporting. Hence, A 2dr IS != new solara
Tool @ Jul 27th 2007 11:24AM
The 1st gen Solara was originally going to be a Lexus. TMS product planning decided to keep it a Toyota branded vehicle, hence the premium interior and content.
Ricky @ Jul 27th 2007 1:14PM
You have no idea what you're talking about. Just because the Solara was designed after the SC, It does not share 1 mechanical piece of to the SC. The SC is based of the MKIV Supra chassis, that is why almost all parts, Engine, Suspension, Drivetrain are swappable.
Tool @ Jul 27th 2007 9:46AM
An IS-coupe seems like a no-brainer for Lexus. It establishes a very important franchise for the marque and adds to its sport street cred.
Ligor @ Jul 27th 2007 9:59AM
i hope they differentiate it a lot from the sedan
sedan is too bland and cost more than the G35 so no reasuon to go to Lexus
psarhjinian @ Jul 27th 2007 2:29PM
Not true. The Lexus is rides better, is a little smaller (if you like that--I do), is better-balanced (in IS250 form) and has a nicer interior.
I would have taken the original IS300 over the original G35 in a heartbeat. This generation's difference is a little smaller, but I still like the IS over the G. Maybe it's a personal thing.
I do wish Lexus had seen fit to infuse the IS with a little more "bad boy" than they did. The original IS was great that way--it was more raw than the 3-Series, and at the same time more trustworthy (in the the "it wont leave you with a $4000 repair bill" sense of the word), but it wasn't as muscle-car-crude as the G was. But the auto scribes complained about the lack of refinement and, as such, we have the current IS, which is nice for sure, but not the black sheep it was.
I think Lexus (and Acura, back in the Integra Type-R days) had a real chance at wounding BMW's dominance. The 3-Series was definitely going softer: both the IS and ITR could have tried a further-to-left-field strategy and out-sported BMW, but for some reason they went the other way. It's a real puzzler in Lexus' case as they already have the ES for people who want a cruiser--they could easily have made the IS sportier without losing buyers who probably would have opted for the ES anyway.
el indiano @ Jul 27th 2007 10:03AM
the is350 is a great car. but i would pick the bmw 335i.
the bimmer steering is tighter, suspension stiffer, and overall feels more solid and direct.
not sure about the g35, i havent driven one of those on a track, yet.
Tiochristopher @ Jul 27th 2007 10:05AM
the wheel/ fender relationship is off some how.
RockStoneSteel @ Jul 27th 2007 2:20PM
I concur, the rear fender seems to be hanging too low over the tire as if there were an extra 500 pounds in the trunk. That is somewhat the German look that BMW and Mercedes were pursuing a few years back. Unfortunately, that slab sided look is a bit too common across the Toyota brand, including the Scion tc coupe.
Other than that, and overall, I think it is a beautiful vehicle and immensely more attractive than the 4 door. Lexus should offer all models in a 2 door version. I think the look is fairly mainstream and is, in all honesty, the first Lexus I would consider owning. Their steadfastness in only offering 4 doors in the past made them appeal more toward a slightly older, more "practical" crowd.
Dave @ Jul 27th 2007 10:17AM
Toyota needs to fire their designers.
1337 @ Jul 27th 2007 10:43AM
The coupe should only be offered as an IS350 and priced above the sedan version of the IS350. BMW and Mercedes have been very successful in charging a few grand extra for the coupe, as coupes are often purchased as pet cars, rather than for utilitarian transportation. Mercedes has been doing this for years--take some C-class bits, make a coupe body that resembles an E-class, price it slightly below the E-class and...enter the CLK! I've read that M-B makes a huge profit margin on the CLK. Perhaps Lexus should also offer an IS430 in coupe form only.
1337 @ Jul 27th 2007 11:04AM
Oh...Audi is also using this marketing model with the A4 and A5.
Daniel @ Jul 27th 2007 10:54AM
This is a low quality photoshop done by a child. Please don't post such crappy impressions!
psarhjinian @ Jul 27th 2007 10:54AM
A wagon or hatch would be nice for people who want something more practical than the IS sedan, but not nearly as stodgy or expensive as the RX.
I miss the old IS300 SC. Heck, I miss the old IS300 period. It was a little spartan, but it'd be reasonable to argue it was a sportier offering.