2008 Tokyo Auto Salon: Lexus IS-F racer unveiled
click above for high-res images of the IS F Racing Concept from TAS
Lexus quietly trotted out its IS-F Racing Concept last week at the Tokyo Auto Salon, but despite the official unveiling, more questions than answers remain about the future of the DTM-inspired sedan.
According to Winding Road, the racer was the brainchild of the IS-F's chief engineer, Yukihiko Yaguchi, who wanted to create a vehicle that further expanded the credentials of the IS-F. Unfortunately, when Peter Nunn questioned the Toyota folks about what plans it had for the concept, he was met with resounding silence.
Rumors are swirling that this particular concept is nothing more than a design study, with no intention of campaigning a similar IS-F competitively. However, Lexus is supposedly working on an IS-F to campaign in the SuperGT GT300 series in Japan, with the SC430-based racer soldiering on in the GT500 class. More surprising is that the IS-F currently being developed by the Japanese Bandoh team might be sporting a mid-engine configuration. We're not sure if that's going to sit well with SuperGT officials, but testing of the race car is expected to begin at Suzuka towards the end of February and we'll know more then.
Autoblog Chinese snapped off a handful of images of the IS-F Racing Concept in person while at the Tokyo Auto Salon and you can check them out in the gallery below.
[Source: Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mario 12:14AM (2/28/2008)
lexus is rocks , this version is not very beautiful but still nice
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danms6 2:09PM (1/17/2008)
Looks like Lexus got a little crazy with the JC Whitney catalog.
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EJ25RUN 2:18PM (1/17/2008)
i really love how sow many of you dont get that functional spoliers actually do something.
why not the LS2/LS7? 2:23PM (1/17/2008)
This spoiler is of the "basket" style like Champ Car which does function as a spoiler but also is designed to make drafting up to a car for a pass easier. As such, one could argue it isn't completely functional, as it is working against itself in some ways.
Functional or no, it looks pretty stupid.
John R 2:34PM (1/17/2008)
I guess the "basket" on this MB looks pretty stupid also...[rolls eyes]
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/16/stock-drop-ralf-to-test-for-mercedes-dtm/
why not the LS2/LS7? 3:46PM (1/17/2008)
Yes.
I may not agree with you, but I'm not stupid. I am completely aware that this is a DTM rear wingset and they are identical from car to car.
It's astounding to me that people on the internet assume that when others old differing opinions it must be because they don't know what they're doing.
Personally, I don't like the wingset on DRM cars, I don't like the squared-off expanded wheel arches (I prefer a more traditional rolled/tubbed arch) and I don't like the 4-5 layer set of dive planes behind the rear wheels either.
I didn't like the look of the M3-GTR when it ran in ALMS either because of the similar rear wheel arches.
You know what all that means? I just don't like those styles. It's doesn't mean I'm stupid. Doesn't mean I'm wrong. Doesn't mean I'm biased. I just don't like it. Why is that at all difficult to understand?
B-Rad 2:11PM (1/17/2008)
That's kinda ugly.
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Eric Bandholz 4:26PM (1/17/2008)
Actually I believe it was designed so that the IS-F would not look like a ricer when compared to this concept.
stefan 2:13PM (1/17/2008)
Thats one good looking race car.
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tankd0g 2:25PM (1/17/2008)
Almost looks DTM ready.
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chris 5:28PM (1/17/2008)
Gorgeous.
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joe 2:28PM (1/17/2008)
Title should have said Lexus IS-F Ricer not Racer
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jjmite 3:22PM (1/17/2008)
You are correct sir.
hashiryu 6:07PM (1/17/2008)
You are an idiot sir. In fact you both are.
Paul H. 2:36PM (1/17/2008)
This should get all the Palm Beach pensioners' blood racing.
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sw 3:08PM (1/17/2008)
Why? I saw no mention of a Buick. I think Lexus is going the same way Cadillac has done in the recent years. Going from old people transport to a force to be reckoned with.
Mi key 2:55PM (1/17/2008)
OMG!
Super Sweet!
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oneighturbo 3:09PM (1/17/2008)
Rumor has it this is a project for Lexus to prepare them selves for the new DTM rules that are expected to be introduced earliest 2010..
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why not the LS2/LS7? 3:49PM (1/17/2008)
DTM rules changes nearly every year, so making a car to a spec you think might happen in 3 years would be odd. It's a moving target.
I find it unlikely Lexus would enter DTM at all. It's not cost-effective compared to other series, and you can't escalate to Le Mans from it either. But time will tell better than I can.
MJK 3:17PM (1/17/2008)
What nothing out of anyone about how the GTR would stomp this thing?.....anybody.......hello?
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