Jalopnik: Is

Lexus IS Convertible Spied Testing in Germany?

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:30:00 EST

One of the posters at Club Lexus managed to get their hands on a scan from some unknown German magazine with a shot of what is purported to be a Lexus IS convertible in light camouflage. The claimed horsepower numbers range from 177 to 423 horsepower, which covers the IS from the entry-level diesel (in Europe) to the Lexus IS-F. larger version of what could be a hardtop convertible Lexus IS below the jump.

It makes sense, given that there's an Audi A4, BWM 3-series and Mercedes C-Class convertible. Why not an IS?
[Club Lexus via The Passionate Pursuit]

Is an IS coupe in Lexus' future? [Dieselstation ...

Ray Wert — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:15:00 EDT

Is an IS coupe in Lexus' future? [Dieselstation via Autoblog]

Over The Back Fence: Nissan Altima And Lexus IS Going Topless?

Ray Wert — Tue, 29 May 2007 10:15:00 EDT

Maybe it's the hot sun from the long weekend, but we're hearing all sorts of rumors of convertible action coming from the land of the rising sun. The folks at the line that's always on the inside over at Edmunds are claiming Nissan's looking at green-lighting an Altima convertible to roll against the Toyota Solara and the Chrysler Sebring. But the budget brands aren't the only place we're hearing of an automaker from Japan with rumors of shining sunshine. ToMoCo's Lexus brand's got the folks at Nihoncar all in a tizzy. Specifically, they've hipped us to the rumors from the Japanese magazine "Car-Top" that the Lexus IS could be adding a drop-top to its IS lineup to challenge the BMW 3-series and the Mercedes C-Class. We've no idea if either rumor's true, but we do agree with our Nihoncar buddy G-A, who says

"...we all know how it goes nowadays in the automotive industry, there is no time to waste with false informations."

Ain't that the truth? – Ray Wert

Nissan Mulls Altima Convertible [Inside Line]
Lexus is ready for the battle ! [Nihoncar.com]

F Lexus: Toyota Brand's New Performance Letter

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 09:32:38 EST

With R, S, M, SS, TRD and AMG already taken by other automakers' performance divisions (and RSTLNE the sole property of "Wheel of Fortune"), Lexus's choice of letters for its upcoming in-house tuner models was already limited. According to AutoWeek, they simply went with F for "fast." The first model to wear the new F designation, AW says, will be the M3-challenging "IS500" that's been the subject of speculation since last year. But the IS-F won't get a mere V8; the powerplant will reportedly be a retuned version of the LS600h's hybrid-drive mill, producing 425 hp. Pricing is expected to be in the $50,000 range, undercutting both the M3 and Audi RS4, two cars of similar performance numbers. Joining the IS-F will be, according to a dealer source of AW's, the GS-F and IS-F coupe. More to come at the Detroit show. – Mike Spinelli

A new Lexus 'F' - as in 'faaast' [AutoWeek]

Related:
Japan Magazine Watch: Lexus IS 500 [internal]

Japan Magazine Watch: Lexus IS 500

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 14:09:44 EDT

Sure, in our bicoastal and midwestern locales, we can get fried octopus balls (no, they're just fashioned into balls, dopey), but we can only get a couple of Japanese car magazines. Thus, we look to the Japan-living ex pats at Nihon Car and Bike for updates on the J-buff-book scene. This time, they give us the latest on the upcoming Lexus IS 500, which has appeared in the mags — in unknown accuracy — for months. According to one, the specs are as follows: 5.0-liter V8 (2UR-FSE) producing 420bhp (at 5800rpm) and 405 lbs.-ft. of torque (at 3800rpm), and a curb weight of 3714 lbs. Audi RS4 performance at a more than 200-lb. weight benefit? Let's hope the US version's got what the J-spec's got. [Thanks to Zerin for the tip.]

Lexus IS500, why look any further? [Nihon Car and Bike]

Related:
More on the Lexus IS 500 [internal]

Spy Photos: Lexus IS 500, Around the 'Ring

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 12:23:05 EDT

Lexus has already faked out the spy community, through which word of a V8 powered Lexus IS spread like Influenza A virus subtype H5N1. Through them, we'd heard the so-called IS 500 would debut at the '06 Detroit show, which came and went without word one that such a car was in the pipeline. Now, the spooks have caught sight of what they believe is the IS 500 in apparent shakedown testing on the N rburgring. Could Detroit '07 be the venue for the hi-po Lexus S4/M3 fighter? Only agent Ken Watanabe (and a few of his henchmen) know for sure.

Spy photos: Lexus IS 500 [Edmunds Straightline Blog]

Lexus Recalls 57,000 Cars for Wonky Seatbelts

Davey G. Johnson — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 16:01:08 EDT

Toyota's issuing a worldwide APB for 57,000 Lexus GS and IS models built between July and December of 2005 due to a seat-belt winder that may not allow passengers to buckle their restraints. Approximately 29,000 of the cars were sold in North America. See, even Toyota screws up!

Toyota to recall 57,000 Lexus cars globally [WoodTV]

Related:
Toyota Recalls 75,000 Priuses [Internal]

Lexus Prepares V8-Powered IS Concept for Detroit

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 07:15:17 EST

Edmunds Inside Line is reporting that Lexus is going after Germany's M-, S- and AMG-powered sharpshooters in the sport sedan category with a new eight-gun of its own. The company is preparing to unveil a close-to-production IS concept powered by a 5.0-liter V8 producing 450hp, which could spawn a new IS 500. That engine is an overbored version of the 4.6-liter V8 powerplant of the new LS 460 flagship, which will also debut in Detroit. That alone oughta bring the January temps in Detroit from aught minus to something like the freezing point. Ugh.

Detroit Show: Lexus to Show IS Cabrio/Coupe Concept in Motown [Edmunds]