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[REPORT: Lexus preparing soft-top SC430 successor]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-lexus-preparing-soft-top-sc430-successor/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-lexus-preparing-soft-top-sc430-successor/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/09/report-lexus-preparing-soft-top-sc430-successor/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2009 Lexus SC430 Pebble Beach Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

While the Lexus IS C is enjoying strong early sales and the luxury Toyota marque prepares to launch a version with the 5.0-liter V8 from the IS F, the top-of-the-line SC 430 grows increasingly irrelevant and long-in-the-tooth. However, contrary to reports that surfaced this time last year - 'tis the season for convertibles, after all - Lexus is indeed planning a successor to the range-topping coupe-cabrio.

Reports indicate that, far from the IS C replacing the aging SC 430, a clean-slate successor to the big roadster is in the planning stages. Because the SC has been around so long, Toyota's designers and engineers are reportedly going back to the drawing board. What they're apparently coming up with eschews the current model's complex folding hard top - one of the first on the market after the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 Spyder and Mercedes SLK - in favor of a simpler, lighter folding soft top.

With a new SC 430, an IS F convertible and a potential LF-A roadster all in the pipeline, the forecast looks sunny for Lexus.

[Source: Car and Driver]

REPORT: Lexus preparing soft-top SC430 successor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>is cis fis250cis350cIsCIsFlexuslexus is clexus is flexus is f convertiblelexus is250 convertiblelexus is250clexus is350 convertiblelexus is350clexus sclexus sc430LexusIs250cLexusIs250ConvertibleLexusIs350cLexusIs350ConvertibleLexusIsCLexusIsFLexusIsFConvertibleLexusScLexusSc430scSC 430Sc430Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Lexus IS250C folding its hard top]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/video-lexus-is250c-folding-its-hard-top/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/video-lexus-is250c-folding-its-hard-top/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/video-lexus-is250c-folding-its-hard-top/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to watch video after the jump

It's always fun to see the engineering behind hard top convertibles. The latest member of the breed comes from Lexus in the form of the 2009 IS250C. This new derivative of the IS250 sedan sports a three-piece aluminum roof that retracts in a "world's fastest" 20 seconds. Video proof of the event taking place has been released and we've embedded it after the break. The new 250C's most logical competitor comes from BMW, whose 3 Series convertible features a folding hard top of its very own. When the new Lexus goes on sale next summer in Europe, followed shortly thereafter in the United States, it will offer buyers a replacement for the expensive SC 430, which is set to make a graceful exit from the marketplace in short order.

Gallery: 2009 Lexus IS250C LIVE


[Source: Paultan]

Continue reading VIDEO: Lexus IS250C folding its hard top

VIDEO: Lexus IS250C folding its hard top originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 lexus is250 c2009 lexus is250c2009LexusIs250cfolding hard topFoldingHardTophard top convertibleHardTopConvertiblelexus is250clexus is250c videoLexusIs250cLexusIs250cVideoparis 2008paris motor showparis motor show 2008Paris2008ParisMotorShowParisMotorShow2008Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Lexus files trademarks for IS Coupe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/24/lexus-files-patents-for-is-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/24/lexus-files-patents-for-is-coupe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/24/lexus-files-patents-for-is-coupe/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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]

Lexus files trademarks for IS Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coupeisis250cis300cis350clexuslexus is coupelexus is250clexus is300clexus is350cLexusIs250cLexusIs300cLexusIs350cLexusIsCoupeThu, 24 Apr 2008 14:57:00 EST