IS500 Nurburgring Spy Shots

[dutchmasterflex]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/rsslink.cfm/article/6060714.002/lexus/spy-photos-lexus-is-500

Taking on BMW’s up-coming M3 and Mercedes’ future C 63 AMG, the new IS 500 is certainly appreciated by sport-saloon fanatics. We haven't seen or heard much about it lately, but it appears as though the V8-powered Lexus IS 500 is still an ongoing project. This prototype spotted on the Nürburgring is clearly no ordinary IS 350 given its deep front air dam, extra large boot lid spoiler and two pairs of exhaust pipes. On top of that, we just heard a rumour that the new LS 460 will be the first Lexus with an electronic stability control system which can be deactivated. We can only hope this high-powered IS will be the next nanny-less Lexus headed our way.

Sounds good to me! Especially that comment bout turning off computer assistance!

[Stikz]

That looks pretty good, love the wheels. :D

[dannyroz]

Finally! Been waiting for this car ever since I saw Millen make a v8 IS300...hopefully its better than the consumer IS crap they have out now

[Zot09]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/rsslink.cfm/article/6060714.002/lexus/spy-photos-lexus-is-500

Taking on BMW’s up-coming M3 and Mercedes’ future C 63 AMG, the new IS 500 is certainly appreciated by sport-saloon fanatics. We haven't seen or heard much about it lately, but it appears as though the V8-powered Lexus IS 500 is still an ongoing project. This prototype spotted on the Nürburgring is clearly no ordinary IS 350 given its deep front air dam, extra large boot lid spoiler and two pairs of exhaust pipes. On top of that, we just heard a rumour that the new LS 460 will be the first Lexus with an electronic stability control system which can be deactivated. We can only hope this high-powered IS will be the next nanny-less Lexus headed our way.

Sounds good to me! Especially that comment bout turning off computer assistance!

Actually, the 07 IS's are supposed to have a button where you can deactivate VDIM.

[nickthaskater]

You can indeed turn off VDIM in the current IS, but you need to 'trick' the car into it (for lack of a better word). Once it's off though, drifting and smoke shows aplenty.

[5vz-fe]

You can indeed turn off VDIM in the current IS, but you need to 'trick' the car into it (for lack of a better word). Once it's off though, drifting and smoke shows aplenty.

March 06 episode of Best Motoring teaches you how to do that (in Japanese unfortunately)

[GRiP_DRiVER]

I heard something about being able to turn of the VDIM. Haven't seen it dont yet though.

I would love to see a nice Lexus go agianst the German sport sedans. And the looks of the new IS are growing on me.

[fsandys]

Agreed, think I'll like this :)

That exhaust arrangement is ..... different!

[dutchmasterflex]

You can indeed turn off VDIM in the current IS, but you need to 'trick' the car into it (for lack of a better word). Once it's off though, drifting and smoke shows aplenty.

March 06 episode of Best Motoring teaches you how to do that (in Japanese unfortunately)

Yeah I remember that too. The Toyota representative had to show Tsuchiya how to disable all of the computer assistance.. (something like pressing the breaks, and a few buttons..

After turning them off he literally drifted through the whole slalom..

Would be nice to see that video again..

[dutchmasterflex]

just noticed the tail pipes on the mule..

http://www.japanesecarfans.com/spyphotos/6060714.002/6060714.002.mini5L.jpg

Pretty interesting design huh? kinda ulgy.. :bah:

[MartijnGizmo]

Mote tailpipes = more horsepower! Now it needs stickers, lots of 'em..... :lol:


But seriously, might be interesting to see Lexus spice up the RS4/M3/C55-class.

[rave426]

Nah, the tailpipes are fakes. You can actually see straight through the lower left tail pipe. I remember seeing a picture where a different automaker (I think mercedes :?: ) did that to one of its mule cars. Dont fret, I doubt that will ever make into production.

[dutchmasterflex]

Only the Germans are crazy enough to make a track like that.. not to mention making tracks like that just isn't "safe" anymore ;)

[5vz-fe]

I thought GM copied a section of the track home to US

[saadie]

:lol:

isnt it already out ?

http://www.batfa.com/photo-newcar-lexusIS-rear.files/newcar-lexusIS-rear.jpg
http://www.batfa.com/photo-newcar-lexusIS-interior.files/newcar-lexusIS-interior.jpg
http://www.batfa.com/photo-newcar-lexusIS-front.files/newcar-lexusIS-front.jpg
http://www.batfa.com/photo-newcar-lexusIS-cockpit.files/newcar-lexusIS-cockpit.jpg

nice starting price
IS350 . 3500cc . 2WD = US$ 62.500. :lol:
i like it 8)

[MartijnGizmo]

I thought GM copied a section of the track home to US

And so did Honda in Japan.

[inso]

http://www.nihoncarandbike.com/news_pics/323/galery/LEXUS_IS500_1.jpg
http://www.nihoncarandbike.com/news_pics/323/galery/LEXUS_IS500_2.jpg
For starters, Lexus has shoehorned in a 420 bhp V8, which should go some way toward legitimizing their Mercedes-Benz AMG and BMW M-chasing aspirations. Better still, we hear that Lexus is finally cottoning on to the value of fully-defeatable ‘oopsie’ electronics (ESP, ABS, etc.)… let’s hope that the rumors are true.

The car looks the part, too, with its more aggressive front fascia, enhanced rear lip spoiler, and quad exhaust outlets sandwiched between what looks to be a functional rear air diffuser. Of course, the wheels and tires have been suitably plus-sized as well—did we mention they look just like the optional alloys we had on an Audi S4 tester we had a few months back? Wonder who they’re targeting…

http://news.windingroad.com/?p=992#more-992

[5vz-fe]

I thought GM copied a section of the track home to US

And so did Honda in Japan.

REALLY?!!

[5vz-fe]

I guess they can replicate the shape but they can't replicate each bump :mrgreen:

[chest3r]

Is it gonna be a RWD car ??? :roll:

[chest3r]

Yeah, I know the normal IS is RWD but since this is the most powerfull, I thought it could be 4WD. But I think all the other Lexus are RWD, so I guess they don't have a 4WD system :)

[coloradosilver]

These pics have been around for w while now. They've been at www.edmunds.com for a few months. Old stuff.

Thanks for the effort though!