Confirmed: Lexus to bring IS 250 C convertible to Paris

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.

PRESS RELEASE

WORLD PREMIERE FOR LEXUS IS 250 CONVERTIBLE AT PARIS MOTOR SHOW


International debut for IS 250 C at the Mondial de l'Automobile
LF-Xh hybrid concept car, highlighting a new tonality of L-finesse design
LS 460 with permanent All-Wheel Drive

Lexus will reveal the new IS 250 Convertible during its press conference at the Paris Motor Show on 2 October.

Following the launch earlier this year of the ultra-high performance IS F, this will be the third derivative in the IS range.

Also on display at Paris will be the LF-Xh hybrid concept vehicle, the new LS 460 AWD with permanent all-wheel drive and a full-line up of Lexus Hybrid Drive models.

Lexus remains the first - and only - premium automotive manufacturer to offer a comprehensive hybrid model range, comprising the RX 400h, the world's first hybrid SUV; the GS 450h performance hybrid saloon; and the ultra-luxurious LS 600h flagship limousine.

LF-Xh hybrid concept
The Lexus LF-Xh hybrid concept car highlighted the potential for Lexus's L-finesse design philosophy to be applied to different artistic and creative spheres far beyond the language of car design when it made its European debut at the Museo della Permanente art gallery during Milan Design Week earlier this year.

Now appearing in the more conventional surroundings of an international motor show, the LF-Xh features powerful, highly sculptural bodywork, an elegant, user-intuitive interior and an all-wheel drive Lexus Hybrid Drive system, which combines a powerful V6 petrol engine with high output electric motors. Finished all in black, the LF-Xh has a dynamic presence. Its combination of advanced environmental technology, outstanding driving performance, near-silent operation, excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions perfectly reflects Lexus's forward-thinking mindset for a future generation of vehicles.

LS 460 AWD
Two years on from the European launch of the fourth generation of Lexus's flagship saloon, the LS 460's outstanding performance, sure-footed dynamic abilities and ground-breaking active safety systems have been further strengthened by the addition of permanent all-wheel drive.

The all-wheel drive system has a three-differential configuration, with a highly compact Type C TORSEN® Limited Slip Differential (LSD) that distributes drive power between the front and rear axles with a 40:60 rear axle torque bias. The highly responsive torque distribution is continuously controlled and optimised according to driving conditions, and can be varied between a 50:50 to 30:70 split between front and rear axles. This enhances the vehicle's grip, traction and cornering stability under acceleration to class-leading levels.

Further information and images will be released at the Lexus press conference at the Paris Motor Show on Thursday, 2 October, at 2.45pm in Hall 4.

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