Lexus IS-F racer actually a 2004 Opel Vectra DTM car?
Remember that luscious Lexus IS-F racer study that received its fair share of unrequited attention the Tokyo Auto Salon? According to AutoBild, it turns out the car isn't an IS-F racer at all -- well, at least not beyond the hood and fact that it has four doors. The German paper reports that the car is actually a Lexus reskin of a 2004 Opel Vectra DTM racer (above, top). Even the engine is from the Opel DTM car, and not a Toyota V8. This could explain why no one at the Lexus stand at the salon would say a word about the car.
So Lexus might get away with never claiming it was a Lexus... cough, cough... but it's a bit odd that they would let Winding Road get the idea that it's the pet project of the IS-F's chief engineer, designed to show the true potential of Lexus' hot sedan and "something of what a full race IS-F might just feel like." Perhaps what a full-race IS-F might look like. Unless Lexus really intends for a full-race IS-F to feel like a 4-year-old Opel.
Thanks for the tip, Georg!
[Source: AutoBild]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Ethancheck 2:53AM (1/29/2008)
check out the pics of it on http://www.isftalk.com
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PAT 5:06PM (1/21/2008)
Why?
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naggs 5:25PM (1/21/2008)
to save money
pedantic 11:34PM (1/21/2008)
nascar does it all the time. they just need stickers.
chewy 5:07PM (1/21/2008)
LOL, I think some report said that it will race in some Japanese series, but it's true that there has been very little info about it.
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SoloTwo 5:08PM (1/21/2008)
Maybe, except the fact that every body panel is different from one another.
More photo's for comparison.
http://www.speedarena.com/gallery/albums//Touring%20Cars/DTM/2004/01%20Pre%20Season/005.jpg
http://www.speedarena.com/gallery/albums//Touring%20Cars/DTM/2004/01%20Pre%20Season/006.jpg
http://www.speedarena.com/gallery/albums//Touring%20Cars/DTM/2004/01%20Pre%20Season/007.jpg
They are actually quite a bit different. A lot more then just a new bumper if it is indeed the same car.
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SoloTwo 5:18PM (1/21/2008)
The more I research into the two the more differences I'm finding. I'm highly doubtful if they are indeed the same cars.
Even most of the aerodynamic add on's have slight differences. Some of them are similar to the Opel, but then some of them are even closer to the Audi's and Merc's.
Doesn't take a scientist to spot the differences.
Whitie 6:29PM (1/21/2008)
C'mon, only a Toyota slappie would say this fake is anything but another attempt to mislead the huddled masses. The "all things to all people" company laid another egg. Looks good on 'em.
nagmashot 2:03AM (1/22/2008)
DTM race car´s are tube fram racer with a carbon siluet cover... you can pratical stick every possible car siluet on a DTM race chassie if they have a similar overall shape..which most sedan of toady have..
according to Autobild Lexus bought a 2004 OPEL DTM Vectra.. Used race cars which were build in numbers are normaly sold after use.. many DTM race cars end in VLN race series or europen hill climb racing
The Lexus IS-F race consept still has the same german ATS rimc as used by Opel in the DTM. The fuel opening on the right side is on the wrong side for Japan ;) were they have the steering wheel at the right side...and it is at exatcly the same point as it was mounted at the DTM Vectra
http://www.autobild.de/artikel/deutsche-tourenwagen-masters_523057.html
According to AutoBild Motorsport they were told by a Toyota Motorsport spokesmen that Toyota Motorsport only wanted to show that there are options next to F1.
Plan is if Toyota F1 Team has no success in 2009 Toyota will cut the F1 budget and race other race series... one option is to join the DTM by 2010 with the Lexus brand.
Mike 5:12PM (1/21/2008)
too funny......
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J.Crew 5:19PM (1/21/2008)
Dumb. I guess that is a cheap way to work on a design study and maybe pick up some race knowledge by tearing the car apart.
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naggs 5:24PM (1/21/2008)
i doubt there was any attempt to gain knowledge thru unsavory mean, it was a marketing stunt that has now backfired. if they had been upfront it would have still accomplished all they goals they wanted it to.
strange
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Johnny 5:26PM (1/21/2008)
WOW!!! This is a new low! GM is gonna rag on them so bad for this, I mean they can!
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SoloTwo 5:30PM (1/21/2008)
Apparently everyone has over looked my comment.
IF it is indeed an Opel which I'm doubting, every panel is DIFFERENT then the Vectra. Its even more evident when you look at pictures that aren't of a black Opel and haven't been resized with ms paint by a 6 year old.
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SoloTwo 5:38PM (1/21/2008)
Better comparison pictures.
http://ebay.windingroad.com/newsuploads/2008/01/lexus-is-f-racing-concept.jpg
http://www.speedarena.com/gallery/albums//Touring%20Cars/DTM/2004/01%20Pre%20Season/007.jpg
rar 5:39PM (1/21/2008)
Solo, it said it is a reskin of the Opel. Wouldn't that be a Lexus body on an Opel car? Driveline Opel and body Lexus.
SoloTwo 5:41PM (1/21/2008)
I'm more so referring to this comment by Jonathon. "well, at least not beyond the hood and fact that it has four doors."
why not the LS2/LS7? 6:47PM (1/21/2008)
SoloTwo:
Posting your link twice doesn't make it more valid.
For me, it's inconclusive. As is said, it's allegedly a reskin, as such, saying they look different doesn't disprove it.
It wouldn't surprise me if this was a reskin, nor would I feel it was shameful. Lexus is not going to race in DTM, so they're just saving money on a concept car. Nothing wrong with that.
tankd0g 5:58PM (1/21/2008)
How the hell would they get ahold of the factory Opel car? This is a manufacturer's series isn't it?
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why not the LS2/LS7? 6:46PM (1/21/2008)
Oh drat, look below. Opel hasn't raced in DTM for two years. But my comment moved itself to the bottom.