Lexus IS500 (M3, RS4, CLK55 AMG Competitor)

[gobs3z]

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/6457/10qk1.jpg

M3 and CLK55 AMG fighter
At the Geneva Motor Show 2005 Toyota debuted with the replacement for the Lexus IS compact sedan. Now the Japanese car maker is working on a high performance coupe version, according to rumours dubbed IS 500. Most likely it is powered by a 4.3 litre V8 32 valve engine delivery approximately 300 HP. This car is set to become a rival against models like BMW M3 and Mercedes CLK 55 AMG.

Toyota sells a huge range of cars in Japan from small economy models to high-end luxury sedans. But only lately has it introduced the Lexus name in the Japanese home market where even luxury cars have previously carried the Toyota name. As part of the new brand’s introduction, the company is coming out with a wide range of new models over the next few years to carry the Lexus name both at home and abroad. Recent new Lexus models have shown the company’s direction towards high performance while still offering high levels of luxury.

The test vehicle in the photos is an early prototype built using the production body panels of a current Japanese market model, the Toyota Crown Royal. Note that the car has right-hand drive, typical of vehicles sold in Japan. The Crown Royal makes a perfect mule for development of a high-performance model since it already has a V8 engine and offers a choice of rear or all wheel drive, so all these vital powertrain pieces fit easily. Next the body was shortened, bringing it down to the length of its future coupe configuration. Note the section just behind the car’s B-pillar, in which several inches of length were cut out of the rear doors and the roof. Shortening the car’s platform down to the length of the final car allows high-performance driving tests to be done with the car’s correct wheelbase and weight distribution.

Also note the numerous modifications that indicate high-performance nature of the future model, including the quad exhaust pipes, rear deck spoiler and the sporty alloy wheels shod with very low-profile tires.

Since a complete real prototype of the new IS 500 Coupe has not yet been photographed, below is a computer generated image suggesting how the new model could look like upon its release latest in two years time from now.



More pics in the url.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/spyphotoID/6051205.001/country/jcf/lexus/high-performance-lexus-is-500-coupe

[supercarfreak]

looks fantastic however it will need way more than 300hp to compete. the new m3 is probably going to be a 400hp v8.

[RC45]

ANd it will probably need to go on a diet.. ;) Toyotas are no tthe lightest cars :P

[Zot09]

The stock IS350's already have more than 300hp, so there figures have to be incorrect. My guess would be that the IS500 would have around 400hp.

[gobs3z]

It's actually going to have a little over 400hp. Road and Track had an article on it and they're going to easily compete with the M3.

[RC45]

^^ See. this is a crazed fan-boy.. even I know Lexus/Toyota is waaaaaay more reliable than an eurobox... ;)

[Chaos in 1983!]

Second point: CAN’T THEY COME UP WITH THEIR OWN IDEAS!
“quad exhaust pipes, rear deck spoiler and the sporty alloy wheels shod with very low-profile tires, and an M badge.”



LOL what the hell dude?, so every car with quad exhaust pipes, rear deack spoiler and allow wheels with low profile tire is copying BMW? dude you are out of it...that's almost every sport oriented vehicle in the market!

[dutchmasterflex]

I feel like there's a swarm of idiots joining JW..


"Most likely it is powered by a 4.3 litre V8 32 valve engine delivery approximately 300 HP"

It will have more than 300hp for sure..

RC45, do you really think weight will be that big of a problem? the 330i is only 77lbs lighter than the IS350..

Now if Lexus will put a 6-speed manual in the IS500, the M3 will really have some problems..

[RC45]

^^ I think the 3 series can afford to lose a lot more weight - weight is really the enemy of this mid-size sports sedan.

[FoxFour]

Nice looking BMW :wink:

[Zot09]

Two Complaints (As usually);

Why do they think it is alright to COPY Mercedes with the name designations: IS500 aside MB SL500 for example, it’s a bit pathetic don’t you think, they have done this for a long time and it irritates the hell out of me.

Second point: CAN’T THEY COME UP WITH THEIR OWN IDEAS!
“quad exhaust pipes, rear deck spoiler and the sporty alloy wheels shod with very low-profile tires, and an M badge.”

How Unique, I think this is just a Scion it an L nameplate, one thing they failed to mention is how ludicrously overpriced it will be, and how terrible the performance will actually be- Good luck it will never be a match for a Euro-Box.

The Japanese luxury brands(Lexus and Acura) copy both Mercedes and BMW, because they are both the definition of luxury. To attract buyers, they have to take away the buyers from BMW and MBZ, and to do that they have to offer what they do, but in a different form. And the price issue? Buddy, go look at a new IS250 and compare it to a 325i or C230. Or compare the IS350 to a 330i or C350. All three start at around the same price(The Lexus IS250 and BMW 325i around 31k and the MBZ C230at 30k). But the Lexus has standard features that both the German brands do not, including keyless access, foglamps, leather, powered seats w/ memory, dual zone climate control, moonroof, electrochromatic mirror, etc. A fully loaded IS250(base IS250 + Sport Package or Premium Package) will cost around 35k(w/ out NAV), but to get a 325i or C230 with the same features will cost over 40k. If this is any hint as to how much the IS500 will cost in comparison to the M3, C55 or S4 we could assume that it will still be cheaper by a few thousand. So who's more expensive? Don't get me wrong dude, I love European cars(I previously owned a 300SE and my mother drives a S500), so i'm not some asian car fan-boy. But you need to get your facts together, and calm down dude.

[ae86_16v]

They should've done this w/ the first generation IS300 instead of making that stupid IS300 Sportcross.

[sentra_dude]

Sweet, as RC said, I hope they can keep the weight down...I always hoped Toyota would drop in the V8 to the last generation IS, I'm glad they are going to do it with this one, and make it two doors, even better.

I reeeally hope they put a 6spd in this one, or at least have an option for it, and hopefully give us 400+hp, I know that engine can do it! 8)

Two Complaints (As usually);

Why do they think it is alright to COPY Mercedes with the name designations: IS500 aside MB SL500 for example, it’s a bit pathetic don’t you think, they have done this for a long time and it irritates the hell out of me.

Second point: CAN’T THEY COME UP WITH THEIR OWN IDEAS!
“quad exhaust pipes, rear deck spoiler and the sporty alloy wheels shod with very low-profile tires, and an M badge.”

How Unique, I think this is just a Scion it an L nameplate, one thing they failed to mention is how ludicrously overpriced it will be, and how terrible the performance will actually be- Good luck it will never be a match for a Euro-Box.

Haha, you're awesome dude. :P

Always got something nice and extremely accurate to add about the Japanese cars don't you?

First: IS500 is not copying M-B since, did you read...this car is a mule, its not in production yet, and it has no offical name.
Did you read this?
...according to rumors dubbed IS 500.

Second: If it irritates you so much then write them a letter and ask them to stop.

Third: Pretty much already addressed, but I'm just wondering where you come up with your ideas about it being over-priced and a terrible performer?

[5vz-fe]

It's about time for Mercedes and BMW to start copying the Toyota pricing and reliability :mrgreen:

[LotusGT1]

Two Complaints (As usually);

Why do they think it is alright to COPY Mercedes with the name designations: IS500 aside MB SL500 for example, it’s a bit pathetic don’t you think, they have done this for a long time and it irritates the hell out of me.

Second point: CAN’T THEY COME UP WITH THEIR OWN IDEAS!
“quad exhaust pipes, rear deck spoiler and the sporty alloy wheels shod with very low-profile tires, and an M badge.”

How Unique, I think this is just a Scion it an L nameplate, one thing they failed to mention is how ludicrously overpriced it will be, and how terrible the performance will actually be- Good luck it will never be a match for a Euro-Box.

LOL, that was funny. Utterly stupid, but funny...

[Mattk]

Not fond of the styling, and Lexus doesn't really scream out excitement, but the IS range is probably the best Lexus has ever come up with. A coupe would be a pretty good addition, although I'm not sure it will be able to compete with the European marques.

[Mattk]

Indeed. I just can't see this challenging the European marques, if only because it's a Lexus. Branding is everything; look how hard Audi had to work to get the A4 range up to scratch with the C-class and the 3-Series.

[dutchmasterflex]

Not fond of the styling, and Lexus doesn't really scream out excitement, but the IS range is probably the best Lexus has ever come up with. A coupe would be a pretty good addition, although I'm not sure it will be able to compete with the European marques.

Lexus has been competing (very well) with the Euro Luxury for the past 10 years.

The Japanese have finally realized they need to make proper sports cars again

[gobs3z]

Well if anyone here has pressed the Start button in an IS, you'de know why i'm already sold on the car. It does the dial sweep before the car starts, and i could be entertained for hours just from that, but it's also a great thing that there is finally another choice. I hope we'll see less M3's, they're everyone! Where's the rarity damnit!

[blah]

Well if anyone here has pressed the Start button in an IS, you'de know why i'm already sold on the car. It does the dial sweep before the car starts, and i could be entertained for hours just from that, but it's also a great thing that there is finally another choice. I hope we'll see less M3's, they're everyone! Where's the rarity damnit!

It takes more than a silly startup sequence to get me though.

Heres my impression after driving a new IS350 Sport.

Pros
-Seats are comfortable
-Paddle Shifters are nice
Smooth ride
-Nice steering wheel
-Good Leather
-Nice fit and finish
Cons
-Steering was vague
-Rear felt unsettled over bumps
-Dont like the plastic trim around the navi.
-Shifting had a huge delay.
-Engine tone is to quiet.
-No rear seat use.

Overall id get it a 7/10. This is supposed to be the 3 series killer, yet it still drives like a lexus. There is no sporting excitement from this car, it doesnt make you want to drive it unlike the BMW 3 series does. I think lexus dropped an amazing chance with this new IS to actually beat the 3 series. In my opinion however they have failed.

[SafirXP]

since they're gonna make an LS460 with a 4.6l V8 which'll produce 380bhp, i think they'll probably tune it to produce 400bhp+ for the is500. if they do make it...

[tom333]

Well I wouldn't go so far as to say an IS500 could compete with an M3 or AMG car but i sure it will be a good match for an Astra VXR or even a GTI

[Erez]

whos the idiot that would buy that? not me thats for sure..

[SilviaEvo]

keep in mind that this said it would most likely be a coupe but i think they should have a 4 door variant like the rumours for the M3 say it will have a 4 door variant to it and the RS4 well is already a 4 door.

[DeMoN]

bodywize, there is no difference. I am sure they will change the looks...

IS250 to IS500 looking the sime while costing wayyy differently, I dont think so.

[coloradosilver]

With the new 335i (306 hp TT) comming out this fall, BMW will fill that HUGE gap between the old 330 (225 hp) and the M3 (going to be 400+ hp).

From what I've read about the lexus IS series, Lexus really needs to make their car more involving to drive and a vehicle that people really want to drive. BMW already has that and with the addition of the 335i, Lexus is in even more trouble.

[tom333]

My point exactly, the M3 is years ahead of its competition and driving the new IS that does 0-60 in nearly 5 just isn't that exciting. The steering and overall feel of the car is just numb.

[RF1]

it is the point
Lexus and other japanease cars have been improved
they are looking for the place in the maret and they do it really good
:D
but Audi Rs4 is the best!!

[Bernardo]

No match for the new M3 IMO

[davide]

Lexus got their latset IS250 or whatever very nice and tidy. Starting to look at Lexus with a new pair of eyes, really nice cars!

Looks nice!