The heat IS on: Lexus planning IS cabrio, lightweight IS-F
Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Lexus IS-F
The higher-ups at Toyota may have decided to axe the replacement for the Lexus SC convertible, but don't get too used to the idea of a world without a wind-in-your-hair Lexus. Word has it they've given the green light to a convertible version of the current IS sedan. Of course, lopping off the doors and roof of a four-door is hardly unheard of, as that's just what Audi did to make the A4 convertible, but while that 'vert is set to be replaced by the A5 cabrio, Lexus is going the opposite direction.
The IS cabrio is tipped to come in 250 and 350 varieties, with Lexus reasoning that there'd be no market for an IS-F convertible. But fret not, as the same reports suggest that a lightweight IS-F sedan is on its way, again going the opposite way of the Germans as BMW just canceled the M3 CSL program. Things are about to get a whole lot busier at the Lexus plants in Tahara and Ky?sh?.
Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Lexus IS F
[Source: AutoTelegraaf via eGMCarTech]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
James 11:38AM (8/28/2008)
Lexus, please forget the IS convertible and give us an IS350 with a manual transmission!
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freckles 1:15PM (8/28/2008)
+1, although the is250 isn't bad why can't we have the top dog?
b0nesc 12:34PM (8/28/2008)
Also give us a coupe, and give the car room so it can support drivers over 6' tall.
jpc 1:35PM (8/28/2008)
I'm 6'3" and I fit perfectly in my IS350. There are more than enough seat adjustments that I almost feel like the car was custom built for me. Ingress and egress isn't perfect (but it's no worse that the 335i or c300).
WhyNotTheC63? 3:20PM (8/28/2008)
Wast of time. Still can't dance.
Andrew 3:42PM (8/28/2008)
+350
Shipey 11:45AM (8/28/2008)
It's something about the big, open "sport compacty" fascia on an otherwise staid looking car. It just doesn't mesh.
The Germans have the high performance sedan down pat. They know how to make it look sporty without making it look garish.
Lexus just can't seem to grasp the concept that it doesn't require huge intakes and lumps and bumps to add visual pop to a design.
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James 12:30PM (8/28/2008)
What about the IS is garish? If you're referring to the IS-F's fender flares, then please see the AMGs, Ms, and RS equivalents.
PiCASSO 12:38PM (8/28/2008)
The Lexus IS series is one of the best looking compact luxury sedans on the market, both inside and out. I will admit that I'm not too pleased with what Lexus has done with the IS-F, but the regular IS250 and IS350 line of cars looks fresh today as it was introduced 3-years ago.
Shipey 1:42PM (8/28/2008)
Unlike the AMGs, Ms, and RS equivalents, the IS-F just looks like an IS with things tacked-on.
Specifically I'm referring to the side vents and gaping maw of the IS-F. It looks like different people designed the bumper than those who sculpted the hood and headlights. It's just... disjointed. The standard versions of the IS are fine. Not very exciting, but fine.
The German designs look just more integrated and cohesive.
And yes, this is just my opinion.
Sam 12:11PM (8/28/2008)
After my heart was broken yesterday with the news BMW was cancelling the M3 CSL program, I'm pretty excited that Lexus is doing a "CSL" or "Spec-V" program of their own for the IS-F. That should be pretty cool.
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MikeW 12:32PM (8/28/2008)
I was hoping for an IS350 with 8 speed automatic.
MB can, at their will, upgrade the C350 to 300hp. Just pop in the 3.5 HO from the SLK.
BMW can increase the output of the N54 in the 335 at a whim.
Audi will get around to putting the supercharged 3.0 into the A4 for '10 (hopefully '09.5)
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notYou 12:32PM (8/28/2008)
Will this IS-F actually have real exhaust pipes, unlike the stacked fake ones on the current version?
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Scott 4:22PM (8/28/2008)
You see wannabe's don't need real pipes, just the illusion of them. Plus it's cheaper for Toyota that way. Win-win.
ken_aisin 12:28PM (8/28/2008)
Fix the exterior design first, especially the rear end.
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s12dave 12:34PM (8/28/2008)
It better have a stick. I've just started liking the IS-F, so if this one has a stick I'd really be interested. Could they throw in a 5.7l and a supercarger though? Please?
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Leviathan18 1:03PM (8/28/2008)
i dont live in usa, but have this car been a success ? i dont see people talking a lot about it i just hear m3 rs4 amg
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Paul P. 3:13PM (8/28/2008)
I was about to ask the same thing. I live in the US and I haven't seen a single one on the road yet. Meanwhile, I've seen three new M3's, two Challengers, and a ton of the new CTS's and C-Class cars.
John 2:49PM (8/28/2008)
Honestly... Does anyone really care about this car??
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JDMlover 4:27PM (8/28/2008)
i do...and if i had the money i would buy it :)