The image above is only a rendering we found on the interweb
We've been hearing about a possible Lexus IS coupe for what seems like eons, and by most accounts, it's likely to hit the streets sometime around the turn of the decade. A convertible is supposedly in the works too, but until now, there's been limited proof that Lexus was planning to offer the two-door version of its entry-level sedan. However, the crew at my.is has been scouring U.S. and Canadian trademark applications and has come up with three new filings from Toyota's luxury division that could mean Lexus is at least considering bringing the IS coupe to market.
The trademarks include alphanumeric names with a "C" affixed to the end, including the IS250C, IS300C and IS350C. "C" could mean a couple of things, but the smart money is on "Coupe." It's also telling that Lexus' lawyers have trademarked the IS300C designation, since there's nothing to slot in between the current entry-level IS250 and the markedly more powerful IS350. There's no filing for an IS-FC, but if Lexus finally decides to provide the coupe people crave and do serious battle with the BMW M3, it's just a matter of time before we see some derivation of that name pop up in the trademark office.
[Source: my.is, Photo: Unknown Source]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Brandon @ Apr 24th 2008 3:10PM
Finally!
Brandon @ Apr 24th 2008 3:11PM
O and I forgot anything about a patent for a manual tranny?
naggs @ Apr 24th 2008 3:44PM
until lexus starts thinking of manual transmission buyers as something other than 'too poor to afford an automatic', manual transmission buyers will continue to return the favor and think of lexus as 'camry + leather'
hashiryu @ Apr 24th 2008 3:59PM
I don't think Lexus looks at manual transmission customers in that way. I think they know, and most manufacturers nd I assume us here as well, that the people who buy manual transmissions are a vast minority in the US. Cost of developing one vs return = not profitable.
Scott @ Apr 24th 2008 7:38PM
You can a manual on 3-series, 1-series, A4, A3, G35, C-Class, 350Z, Altima coupe, TSX, TL, Accord coupe, G8. That is every car I can think of that may be considered or in the same class as or crossed shopped with the IS, and EVERY ONE offers a manual.
Now do you seriously expect us to believe that COST is the reason that Lexus doesn't want to play with the real sport-sedan or sport-coupe market?
IMHO it's because Lexus has taken Cadillac's place as the transportation of choice for "over 60" crowd and Toyota in general hasn't had a real "sport" model for years.
There's nothing wrong with being the "appliance" manufacturer as obviously a lot of people want exactly that, but DON'T expect us to believe that they didn't put a manual in the car because of cost. It's because Toyota *doesn't do sport.*
MikeW @ Apr 25th 2008 10:20AM
Forget the manual, what about the 8 speed automatic?
Suavio @ Apr 24th 2008 3:13PM
So let me get this straight the "S" at the end of the two letter Lexus vehicle name means "sedan" and a "C" means "coupe". Now the "IS Coupe" would be the IS ### C. Well, that's annoying.
Evander O. @ Apr 24th 2008 4:37PM
To the best of my knowledge, IS always stood for intelligent sport. On the older model it was cuz of all the electronic crap and vvt-i, where 'i' stood for intelligent as well. so this is an intelligent sport coupe.
Richard S. @ Apr 25th 2008 12:23AM
I am with you. They should have called it, the IC250/IC350.
Or better yet, get a better design with better lines, and start a new family vehicle such as RC, or AC.
NYChic @ Apr 24th 2008 3:15PM
Ooh - what a cute car. I want one!
Nicolas St-Pierre @ Apr 24th 2008 3:20PM
"It's also telling that Lexus' lawyers have patented the IS300C designation, since there's nothing to slot in between the current entry-level IS250 and the markedly more powerful IS350"
That's wrong... The IS300 still exists, it's actually the new bodystyle on the 3GR-FE 3.0L V6, meant for countries where Premium gas is largely unavailable and the new direct injection V6 platform isn't a fit.
Look it up:
http://en.lexus.com.cn/lexus_cars/is_new/is300/index.asp
Damon Lavrinc @ Apr 24th 2008 3:23PM
Sorry, we're being too U.S.-focused.
To everyone else that caught my gaff about patents vs. trademarks: it's been corrected. Thanks for pointing it out.
Joaquin Ruhi @ Apr 24th 2008 6:06PM
To Nicolas St-Pierre: You are, of course, correct. In fact, when you read my original article, you'll note that a passage that reads: "...the filing of an IS300C trademark increases the likelihood that Lexus has answered our prayers and decided to build a 3GR-FSE-powered 2nd-generation IS300 for North America..." links to this article:
http://my.is/forums/f41/what-should-lexus-build-2nd-generation-is300-rest-world-321143/
As noted in the latter article, though, the lack of direct injection for the 2nd-generation IS300 in certain markets is not due to unavailability of premium fuel, but is, instead, an issue too much sulfur in their gasoline. For more on this:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=18&article_id=6577
Oh, and thank you, Autoblog and Damon, for picking up on our story.
mk @ Apr 24th 2008 3:39PM
why does that photochop look eerily like an 80's BMW 635?
I think it is the soft line on the rear quarter window and the silver paint.
IC350 sounds like a more apt name, to me. not that I care that much.
I would so buy a G37 over an IS-based coupe, anyway. Maybe if there is an -F model with the V8, Infiniti will build the G50 with FX50's VVEL V8...
JunkStory @ Apr 24th 2008 3:40PM
There are way too many RWD coupes now. I hope this one comes in AWD so that it can stand out more (like an Audi A5).
Anyways, an IS coupe would look much better than the Accord Coupe, and on par with the G37 hopefully.
mk @ Apr 24th 2008 3:50PM
No such thing as "too many."
If there are too many RWD coupes now, then there has been a complete GLUT of FWD coupes since the late 1980s.
Pretty much every company that makes RWD coupes, also makes FWD coupes, as well. Even BMW, if you count Mini.
Mercedes Benz maybe not, but SMART ForTwo is close enough. :D And there are at least as many companies that make only FWD coupes, as there are companies like Benz that make a couple of RWD coupes.
I say bring 'em on, and let 'em compete for sales. The strongest, or best value ones will survive and be better for it.
I do wish they would get on with the more affordable end of things, though. IS and G37, Merc, BMW, etc... are all a bit above the average price.
A Mazda, Toyota, Subaru, or other smaller, non-lux, sporty little RWD coupes are eagerly anticipated. There are plenty of FWD cars in that segment now. Genesis and Mustang are the only ones out there right now. (Miata, sol/sky are not being counted. They aren't coupes.)
Scott @ Apr 24th 2008 7:43PM
The entire 3-series line, including the coupes, offer xDrive AWD as an option.
Derek @ Apr 24th 2008 11:01PM
AWD just adds weight and stops good throttle-steering fun.
tyson @ Apr 24th 2008 3:43PM
perhaps this is in response to claims that honda will be readying (more) RWD cars and coupes in the future.
naggs @ Apr 24th 2008 3:47PM
more likely the other way around, this will be for sale by the time acura's next wave of new cars gets the green light.