Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2011 Lexus IS F [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/20/2011-lexus-is-f-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/20/2011-lexus-is-f-review/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/20/2011-lexus-is-f-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

New Updates Soften Japan's Super Sedan

2011 Lexus IS F

Mid-course corrections are a common occurrence when speaking about high-flying commercial aircraft and oceangoing freighters - both are often pushed off track by errant winds and powerful currents. But when it comes to automobiles, a mid-course correction can be a sign that something was wrong the moment a new model was unveiled.

The Lexus IS F was introduced at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. The compact, high-performance sports sedan was a fresh Japanese alternative to the Audi RS4, BMW M3, Cadillac CTS-V and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. Yet, despite a full suite of performance enhancements that lifted it above and well beyond the standard IS, the 416-horsepower rear-wheel-drive sedan arrived lacking the refinement and performance to properly battle its competition.

Lexus reviewed the situation, noted it was not on the proper path and made a series of corrections this past year. The 2011 IS-F four-door boasts a host of improvements, both inside and out, promising a smoother ride, better handling, improved ergonomics and a freshened exterior. So is the Lexus IS F firmly back on track?

Continue reading 2011 Lexus IS F [w/video]

2011 Lexus IS F [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 is f2011 lexus2011 lexus is f2011 lexus is-ffeaturedisis fis f reviewis-fisflexuslexus islexus is flexus is-flexus performance sedanlexus reviewreviewreviewsTue, 20 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20131421/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/20/2011-lexus-is-f-review/20131421/article-detail.xml 20131421 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2011-lexus-is-f-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2011-lexus-is-f-review.jpg <![CDATA[Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sport Package comes into focus]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/24/lexus-is-f-circuit-club-sport-package-comes-into-focus/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/24/lexus-is-f-circuit-club-sport-package-comes-into-focus/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/24/lexus-is-f-circuit-club-sport-package-comes-into-focus/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sport Package

Lexus has turned its already fast IS F over to the go-fast guys at Toyota Racing Development. The finished product is the IS F Circuit Club Sport, and the sport sedan wears a wide range of aero and mechanical improvements. We've known this model was coming for some time thanks to a 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon concept and details spouted late this summer, but these photos provide our best look yet at this touring-car-like model.

Outside, engineers have fitted the IS F with a new front spoiler, rear diffuser and hood, all of which are fabricated from weight-saving carbon fiber. You may have also noticed the vehicle's sizable rear wing. A performance damper kit is also part of the package, offering buyers two separate settings that independently adjustable compression. The luxury bruiser also comes equipped with lightweight forged aluminum wheels, though magnesium rollers are also available.

Mechanically, the IS F Circuit Club Sport Package utilizes a TRD limited-slip differential as well as a TRD big brake kit. At this point, there's no word on how much the package will cost or when it will be available. We aren't even sure American buyers will be able to sink their teeth into the factory-bred racer, so stay tuned.

Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sport Package comes into focus originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>isis fis f circuit clubis-fisflexuslexus is flexus is f circuit club sport packagetoyota racing developmenttrdThu, 24 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20113114/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/24/lexus-is-f-circuit-club-sport-package-comes-into-focus/20113114/article-detail.xml 20113114 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-is-f-circuit-club-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-is-f-circuit-club-628.jpg <![CDATA[Lexus lines up LFA against IS F on UK track]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/20/lexus-lines-up-lfa-against-is-f-on-uk-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/20/lexus-lines-up-lfa-against-is-f-on-uk-track/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/20/lexus-lines-up-lfa-against-is-f-on-uk-track/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

lexus lfa and is-f on track
Lexus supercar versus super sedan - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Lexus UK finally has its first LFA on the Queen's home turf. Rather than take it on a glam tour by propping it up in shiny showrooms, Lexus is taking it to the track. It's also bringing along a camera to record the sights and sounds that come along with the two-door supercar.

Recently, the LFA lined up at the Bruntingthorpe Proving Grounds alongside its sibling, the Lexus IS F and both were put through the requisite paces. Unfortunately for the IS F, however, its dulcet exhaust tone was drowned out by the banshee wail spewed forth from the tri-tipped rear of the LFA. Click past the jump to revel in the noise.

Continue reading Lexus lines up LFA against IS F on UK track

Lexus lines up LFA against IS F on UK track originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>is flexuslexus is flexus lfalfaunited kingdomvideoFri, 20 May 2011 19:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19945916/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/20/lexus-lines-up-lfa-against-is-f-on-uk-track/19945916/article-detail.xml 19945916 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/lexus-is-f-and-lfa_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/lexus-is-f-and-lfa.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Lotus to target Europe's best, evolve from lightweight to luxury]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/22/report-lotus-to-target-europes-best-evolve-from-lightweight-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/22/report-lotus-to-target-europes-best-evolve-from-lightweight-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/22/report-lotus-to-target-europes-best-evolve-from-lightweight-t/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Not the shape of Lotus things to come? - Click above for high-res image gallery

Yesterday Lotus did something rather... odd. The Malasian-owned British sports car maker sent the entire automotive world a high-res picture of Stonehenge and announced it represented the, "Dawn of a new era." We initially interpreted this to mean that the new Lotus Esprit would show up in Paris. We still think we're right about that part, but Lotus might have been letting a little bit more cat out of bag than they intended.

According to a report from Malaysia, Lotus owner Proton has hired a plethora of ex-Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin employees (including Frank Tuch, the former Director of Quality Management at Porsche) in hopes of transforming the brand away from Toyota-engined track day novelties (hello, Exige!) into a full-fledged Ferrari, Porsche and Aston Martin fighting luxury, high-performance brand. Of course that entails abandoning Colin Chapman's maxim, "Simplify, then add lightness," in favor of the German mandate to, "Complexify, then add steel." If you think the Italians are any better, realize that every new Ferrari ships with eighteen miles of wiring. But look on the bright side, the new cars (which will have some sort of hybrid-ness cooked in) could draw power from Chapman spinning his grave.

As we speculated yesterday, the new Esprit will need something resembling a V8 engine (at least) to not only fill the shoes of the old, long-loved Esprit, but also to compete with the world's best luxury/performance machers. Luckily for both Lotus and Lotus fans, engine-supplier Toyota has just such a motor in the form of the IS F's 416 horsepower, 371 pound-feet or torque 5.0-liter V8. Of course, if you want to play in the stratosphere with the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and/or Aston Martin these days, you're going to need at least 500 horsepower. But where would Lotus get an engine like that?

According to the report, the Lexus LFA's 552 hp, 9,000 rpm 4.8-liter V10 could be made available for Esprit duty, though it might be slightly detuned. Still, an aluminum and composite V10 is an aluminum and composite V10. While that might sound odd at first blush, Toyota (no doubt) spent a sick amount of yen coming up with the LFA's V10, but they're only building 500 (or so) LFAs. So why not recoup the pricey development costs elsewhere? Like say in a Lotus range-topper? The question then becomes: Does the world want a 500+ horsepower Lotus dolled up with enough electronic whizbangery to compete with Europe's finest? Only time and the marketplace will tell.


Gallery: Tokyo 2009: 2010 Lotus Exige Scura


[Source: Paul Tan]

Report: Lotus to target Europe's best, evolve from lightweight to luxury originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aston martinAstonMartinEspritFerrariIS-FISFLexuaLexus IS FLexus LFALexusIsFLexusLfaLotusLotus EspritLotusEspritPorscheProtonTue, 22 Jun 2010 19:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19526390/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/22/report-lotus-to-target-europes-best-evolve-from-lightweight-t/19526390/article-detail.xml 19526390 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/ex630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/ex630.jpg <![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 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19091229/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/09/report-lexus-preparing-soft-top-sc430-successor/19091229/article-detail.xml 19091229 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/pebble-sc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/pebble-sc.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2009 Lexus IS F pursues perfection, might need more personality]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/05/review-2009-lexus-is-f-pursues-perfection-might-need-more-personality/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/05/review-2009-lexus-is-f-pursues-perfection-might-need-more-personality/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/05/review-2009-lexus-is-f-pursues-perfection-might-need-more-personality/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


2009 Lexus IS F - Click above for high-res gallery

The Lexus IS F is the sole Japanese contender in a crowd of compact high-performance sport sedans. Boasting a full complement of performance upgrades, including a 5.0-liter V8 mated to a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, the 416-horsepower sedan blasts to 60 mph in well under five seconds. But the stats only tell part of the tale. Do the sum of the IS F's parts make it a contender against the best from Germany and America? Let's find out.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Lexus IS F


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2009 Lexus IS F pursues perfection, might need more personality

Review: 2009 Lexus IS F pursues perfection, might need more personality originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Lexus IS F2009LexusIsFfeaturedIn the Autoblog GarageInTheAutoblogGarageIS FIS-FIsFLexusLexus ISLexus IS FLexus IS-FLexusIsLexusIs-fLexusIsFReviewreviewsTestTest DriveTestDriveFri, 05 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19058377/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/06/05/review-2009-lexus-is-f-pursues-perfection-might-need-more-personality/19058377/article-detail.xml 19058377 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/lexus_isf_1280_07_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/lexus_isf_1280_07_opt.jpg <![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.

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Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lexus IS F.

The introduction of the IS F proved that Lexus was serious about taking on its Germanic counterparts, but it's taking another page out of the BMW and Audi playbook by beginning to offer a high-performance driving experience to prospective owners. The Lexus Performance Driving Academy has announced dates and locations for 2008, giving attendees a choice of two courses to suit their needs and pocketbooks.

The first course consists of a two-hour session that puts you behind the wheel of the IS250, IS350, GS460, GS450h and the IS F. These basic sessions are available on Saturday and Sunday and here's the kicker: it's free. If you're willing to take a Friday off, you can upgrade to the "Ultimate" session that puts you behind the wheel of the IS F for a half-day, and includes your basic chalk talk (racing lines, grip dynamics, etc.), a team time attack, timed autocross session and a lead/follow exercise around the racetrack. Not a bad deal for $295.

Four tracks are available, including the Autobahn Circuit in Joliet, Illinois; the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California; the Summit Point Motorsports Park in West Virginia; and the Atlanta Motor Speedway, in Hampton, Georgia. You can head over to the Lexus Performance Driving Academy website for all the details.

Gallery: Lexus IS-F

Lexus Performance Driving School: Dates are available and the price is right originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>is fIsFlexuslexus is flexus performance driving academyLexusIsFLexusPerformanceDrivingAcademyThu, 24 Apr 2008 16:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1175802/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/04/24/lexus-performance-driving-school-dates-are-available-and-the-pr/1175802/article-detail.xml 1175802 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/18_2008-is-f_450-op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/18_2008-is-f_450-op.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: WebRidesTV pits IS-F against RS4]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/24/video-webridestv-pits-is-f-against-rs4/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/24/video-webridestv-pits-is-f-against-rs4/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/24/video-webridestv-pits-is-f-against-rs4/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to view the WebRidesTV shootout.

It's tough to top Top Gear (as Gear producers are about to find out), but until Clarkson, Hamster and Captain Slow get back on schedule, the crew at WebRidesTV is back to cure our insatiable lust for all things automotive and in motion. Sure, it doesn't have TG's production value, but everything looks cooler with heavy vignetting.

This latest installment pits the Audi RS4 against the Lexus IS F, in what could be their best shootout to date. It's the battle of the middleweights and you can view the film in full after the jump.

Continue reading VIDEO: WebRidesTV pits IS-F against RS4

VIDEO: WebRidesTV pits IS-F against RS4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click the image above for a hi-res gallery of Lexus IS F pics

So we recently got some seat time in the Lexus IS F, and we can proudly report that it's not anything Lexus has ever been before. Does it really compare to the M3 and C63 AMG? In a little-kid-from-down-the-street-trying-to-get-in-the-game way, yeah. But that doesn't mean it shouldn't be in the game. Follow the jump for the full story, and check out the new gallery of Lexus IS F pics below.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Lexus IS F

Gallery: Lexus IS-F




Continue reading First Drive: the 2008 Lexus IS F

First Drive: the 2008 Lexus IS F originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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