Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORTS: Lexus to build IS F convertible; existing IS droptops selling ahead of supply]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/08/report-early-lexus-is-c-orders-outstripping-supply/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/08/report-early-lexus-is-c-orders-outstripping-supply/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/08/report-early-lexus-is-c-orders-outstripping-supply/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2010 Lexus IS250 C and IS350 C - Click above for high-res image gallery

Lexus has high hopes for its new IS250 C and IS350 C convertibles, and early returns give the Japanese automakers cause for optimism. Car and Driver is reporting that Toyota's upscale division will build a droptop version of its bonkers IS F sports sedan, and plans for that model are surely buttressed by brisk initial sales of the new IS convertible models. Wards Automotive says that IS250 C and IS350 C folding hardtop convertibles are being picked up faster than they can be made, prompting Toyota to increase production at its Kyushu plant in Japan to 1,200 units per month. The ISC is so hot in the Northeast that the region will begin receiving 225 units per month.

Scott Wracher, general manager of the brand's eastern area, says 85% of the convertible IS models will have the 204 hp, 2.5-liter V6, while only 15% will have the more potent 306 hp 3.5-liter V6. The manual transmission 250C stickers at $38,480, and $43,940 will net you the auto transmission-equipped IS 350 C (plus $875 for destination). The IS convertibles also have a lengthy list of expensive options, which will easily push the MSRP up to (and over) $50,000.

In related news, C&D's sources suggest that hopes for a roadster version of the on-again/off-again LF-A supercar (currently 'on again,' for those keeping tabs) are increasingly unlikely.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lexus IS250 C and IS350 C


Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc
[Sources: Car and Driver; Wards Automotive]

REPORTS: Lexus to build IS F convertible; existing IS droptops selling ahead of supply originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>IS-FIS250IS250cIS350IS350CISCLexusLexus ISLexus IS-CLexus IS250Lexus IS350Lexus ISCLexusIsLexusIs-cLexusIs250LexusIs350LexusIscToyotaWed, 08 Jul 2009 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Lexus unveils IS 250 Sports Concept in Sydney]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/12/lexus-unveils-is-250-sports-concept-in-sydney/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/12/lexus-unveils-is-250-sports-concept-in-sydney/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/12/lexus-unveils-is-250-sports-concept-in-sydney/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Lexus IS 250 Sports Concept

At the ongoing Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, the same show where Australian sportscar-maker Elfin took the wraps off its new Type 5 Clubman, Lexus unveiled a new version of its IS 250 sports sedan called the Sports Concept.

So what, you ask is the Lexus IS 250 Sports Concept? Think of it as IS F-light, but not quite as light on substance as appearance packages from its German rivals (think Audi S-line or Mercedes AMG sport packages). The show car has been outfitted with 19" wheels hiding cross-drilled two-piece rotors clamped by six-pot calipers up front and four-pots in the rear, painted trademark Lexus F blue. It also sports Billstein shocks and springs; sway bars and chassis braces; an enlarged air intake and cat-back exhaust; a new clutch and short-shift kit; a carbon fiber engine cover and an assortment of spoilers and skirts.

In short, what we're looking at is an IS F, only without the 5-liter V8. The revised breathing systems squeeze out a modest 1.5 percent increase in output from the 2.5-liter V6 for a total of about 213hp. The add-ons are currently being considered for the Australian market, but we're sure there are plenty of fans of the IS F on this side of the globe who don't need to hit 60 in the fours and wouldn't mind a more affordable alternative given the current economic climate.

Gallery: Lexus IS 250 Sports Concept


[Source: Lexus]

Lexus unveils IS 250 Sports Concept in Sydney originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaisis 250is 250 sports conceptIs250Is250SportsConceptlexuslexus australialexus islexus is 250lexus is 250 sports conceptlexus is flexus sports conceptLexusAustraliaLexusIsLexusIs250LexusIs250SportsConceptLexusIsFLexusSportsConceptsydneySun, 12 Oct 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Confirmed: Lexus to bring IS 250 C convertible to Paris]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/10/confirmed-lexus-bring-is-250-c-convertible-to-paris/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/10/confirmed-lexus-bring-is-250-c-convertible-to-paris/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/10/confirmed-lexus-bring-is-250-c-convertible-to-paris/#commentsFiled under: , ,



It's been rumored for months, but now it's confirmed: Lexus will unveil the IS 250 convertible in Paris this October. The Lexus IS 250 C will be the third derivative of the IS range and will go into production early next year. IS 250 and 350 variants are planned, but in order to capitalize on the gotta-have-it crowd's penchant for The New - and the demise of the SC 430 - Lexus will likely roll out the 350 variant further down the line. Expect an IS F version to follow sometime in late 2009 or early 2010.

Make the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Confirmed: Lexus to bring IS 250 C convertible to Paris

Confirmed: Lexus to bring IS 250 C convertible to Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cis250lexuslexus is 250 clexus is250 cLexusIs250Cparisparis 2008paris motor showParis2008ParisMotorShowWed, 10 Sep 2008 14:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Updated 2009 Lexus IS images arrive on web]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/03/updated-2009-lexus-is-images-arrive-on-web/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/03/updated-2009-lexus-is-images-arrive-on-web/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/03/updated-2009-lexus-is-images-arrive-on-web/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to view gallery of the 2009 Lexus IS

While work is reportedly be done on developing a cabrio version of the Lexus IS and a lighter-weight version of the fire breathing IS-F, the IS 250 and 350 need some attention too. They're receiving mild updates for the 2009 model year, images of which have found their way onto the web. Though not expected to officially bow until the Paris Motor Show in October, the '09 IS will be sporting an ever so slightly revised front end, new side mirrors with turn signal indicators, redesigned taillamps with integrated L-shaped reverse lights and a new wheel design. In true Lexus tradition, the exterior changes are about as minimal as they get and require close comparison with an '08 model to appreciate. We can see that the front bumper, lower air intakes and fog lights have been softened, but that's about it. While we don't know anything official about mechanical changes, Carscoop reports that a revised electronic stability control system will be part of the '09 package. Check out all the pics in our gallery below.

Gallery: 2009 Lexus IS


[Source: Carscoop]

Updated 2009 Lexus IS images arrive on web originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 lexus is2009LexusIsisis 250is 350Is250Is350lexus islexus is 250lexus is 350LexusIsLexusIs250LexusIs350Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Welcome back to the rumormill: Toyota developing cheap RWD coupe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/welcome-back-to-the-rumormill-toyota-developing-cheap-rwd-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/welcome-back-to-the-rumormill-toyota-developing-cheap-rwd-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/06/welcome-back-to-the-rumormill-toyota-developing-cheap-rwd-coupe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Back in March, Winding Road floated the idea that Toyota may be in the process of developing a rear-wheel drive vehicle in the same vein as the Corolla AE86 of the 80s. At the time, it was easy to pass it off as pure speculation. Now, the GTChannel says that its sources in the Land of the Rising Sun have also confirmed that a 2+2, front-engine, RWD vehicle is in the works and that if and when it comes to market its sticker will be "well under [$] 20k" - maybe even $16,000.

Considering that the Scion brand has quickly emerged as a cost-conscious means of stylish transport, it wouldn't be hard to imagine that such a vehicle would slot in nicely within the youth-oriented marque, even if its price would make it a direct competitor to the tC. The only rub is finding a suitable platform to build the new vehicle atop, and the only RWD vehicle that could fit the bill would be the Lexus IS. Granted, the $30,000+ sports sedan's underpinnings might be a bit of a stretch (or shortening, in this case) to make a budget performance car, but the ability to cut costs via platform sharing isn't out of the question. Maybe some of the old IS's architecture could even be used.

In the meantime, we're hoping to see spy shots of a tC-bodied mule making the rounds around the 'Ring, rear-wheels a blazing and powersliding into the Carousel.

[Source: GTChannel]

Welcome back to the rumormill: Toyota developing cheap RWD coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ae86corolladriftisis250is300is350lexusrear wheel driverear-wheel driveRear-wheelDriveRearWheelDriverwdsciontCtoyotaFri, 06 Jul 2007 10:25:00 EST