Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertibles, Lexus
Spy Shots: Lexus IS convertible
It may be hard to tell from the picture, but what you're looking at, according to our sources, is a test mule for a Lexus IS convertible. Information accompanying the spy shot suggests that the car is destined for production by the end of 2009 and will feature the full range of engines available in the Lexus IS sedan, from the 177-hp European diesel 220d to the 423-hp IS-F (!).
If the information is correct, the IS cabrio would be the first body style derivative of the Lexus sports sedan since the previous generation model spawned the SportCross wagon, and would slot in the Lexus line-up under the SC 430 convertible and, if built, the LF-A Roadster. However, as one forum member pointed out, by 2009 the IS sedan would be entering its fifth year of production and itself be due for replacement soon thereafter. Thanks for the tip, Kevin!
[Source: Club Lexus via The Passionate Pursuit]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
hashiryu 2:13PM (2/26/2008)
2 door IS = Supra?
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almost Dr. G.. 2:18PM (2/26/2008)
wishful thinking for a supra to return, not wishful thinking that itll platform share with the IS (even though it is a good strong platform). hopefully theyll start from scratch but not take 10 more years in the process.
Thedevil 2:25PM (2/26/2008)
Hey!its lexus day at autoblog.
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Sam 2:33PM (2/26/2008)
only good thing about the sc430 is that it does monster burnouts. other than that, its a piece.
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LMBVette 2:39PM (2/26/2008)
I think the bigger news is that they're going to make a 2 door model of the IS.
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Aetius 2:54PM (2/26/2008)
The 2nd gen IS is still one of the cleanest-yet-sexy designs on the road today. And Toyota is showing it's ability to design well. The GS, FJ-Cruiser, even the new Camry which is derivative, but in SE form better proportioned than the ridiculous new Accord. And the upcomign Venza and the Matrix are quite good looking too. Again, they are both derivative of Mazda designs to a certain extent but atleast they are more cohesive than Honda is today.
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MikeW 2:56PM (2/26/2008)
Is Toyota going to drop the 4gr-fse? [2.5 V6]
Please, let it go. That is the ugly duckling in the GR family.
Replace it with 3gr-fse. [3.0 V6]
Toyota used to have that engine in the GS300 just a few years ago.
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Bruxell 3:02PM (2/26/2008)
I'd like to offer a correction: In terms of quality, nothing in the Lexus line-up can slot under the SC-430. That’s just one of the perks of being one of the most mediocre and overpriced cars ever…
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Franz 3:16PM (2/26/2008)
They should do a coupe with a manual tranny. That should tide us over till they bring back a proper Supra.
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Franz 3:16PM (2/26/2008)
Coupe IS-F, that is.
Soccer Mom 3:25PM (2/26/2008)
Another design failure from Lexus. Shame to even think that such plain no-frills no-imagination design (at the best, quite ugly and Chinese-style copying most other times) can be put against Audi, BMW and MB.
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stefan 4:00PM (2/26/2008)
Please take a look at the GS and compare it to the 5-serie and E-class. The GS looks ten times more exciting.
And about the copying where did the E-class get its round head lights from? 1991 lexus SC.
Soccer Mom 4:19PM (2/26/2008)
Except Mercedes used those round dual headlights since before Lexus existed as a brand, so did Jag and many others.
At early stages Lexus was simply ugly, they they took a Chinese approach and made Mercedes and BMW clones (LS, IS and SC), and after they came up with a great idea of L-Finesse, which is as exiting as Hyundai Sonata.
Seoultrain 6:10PM (2/26/2008)
I'm not a big fan of Lexus, but the IS is anything but a design failure. I think your (understandable) hate of the brand has clouded your view.
Jason G. 3:26PM (2/26/2008)
About time. I own an 07 IS250 sedan and if/when a coupe comes out Im all over it.
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Jason G. 3:27PM (2/26/2008)
I take it you have never owned a Lexus...
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Mark 5:16PM (2/26/2008)
By 2009 the Lexus IS will be entering it's fourth, not fifth, model year. In addition, lets not forget that Lexus vehicles typically have long shelf-lives. The previous Lexus IS was on sale for seven years (although it had a delayed introduction in the U.S.).
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Torrent 7:26PM (2/26/2008)
Nasty.
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Karan 9:17PM (2/26/2008)
It looks all googly-eyed in the back...
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jj 6:54PM (4/15/2008)
This will probably sell well. After all, it IS a lexus.
Since Corolla=IS, where's the Corolla convertible to replace the Solara?
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