The Japanese automaker Lexus currently offers a drop top variant for two of the models in their lineup. The first is the sport tourer SC430 and the other is the entry level IS, in both 250 and 350 power packages. No matter whether you choose the small displacement straight six or the 300 HP V6, the IS-C is a very fun car to drive. However, if speed is more your thing then Lexus has something in store for you.
Starting in 2011 the luxury automaker will add one more retractable hard top to the IS lineup. The high performance V8 powered IS-F will be available with an open air option. The IS-F Convertible will be powered by the same 5.0 Liter eight cylinder engine as the sedan version mated to the same eight speed automatic transmission. The IS-F Convertible will compete directly with other models like the BMW M3 Convertible.
If you were waiting for some more good news about the wind in your hair Lexus experience then we have to apologize. The SC430 is on its way out and doesn’t look like it will be replaced. Also, the proposed roadster version of the future LF-A super car doesn’t have a bright looking future either.
Toyota has one thing missing from their lineup of automobiles, a fun to drive sports car. Now that could be due to that fact that the company is only trying to do their best in these tough economic times and quite frankly, consumers are shopping for efficient vehicles as opposed to ones that are fun to drive. This is where the Japanese automaker’s luxury line steps in. The smallest of the company’s rear wheel drive vehicles is the IS, which is said to be the spiritual successor of the AE-86. Only the Lexus tips the scales at around 3,500 pounds, whereas the nimble Toyota Corolla of the 1980s weighed in at less than 2,000.
However Toyota should not be embarrassed for trying, the IS is a great car. The Japanese automaker already offers it in a variety of flavors: the IS250 featuring a low displacement straight six, the 300 HP IS350, an all powerful IS-F that uses a modern day high performance V8 in conjunction with an 8 speed automatic transmission to go from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.7 seconds. Lexus is even working on an even badder IS-F Evolution that uses the same high tech power train, but this time with a lightweight carbon fiber skin. There will even be a convertible version of the IS in the near future, but it is a proposed two door version of the IS that could give it the sporty image it desires.
According to the General Manager of Toyota’s Lexus Division, Mark Templin, when asked about an IS Coupe, "Obviously, we’re making no announcements today, but it’s certainly something we should study carefully." So, until the Toyobaru ever does come true, we can look to an IS coupe to fulfill our dreams of driving a hachi roku.
The Japanese luxury automaker Lexus has just unveiled their F-Sport Performance Accessories for the upcoming IS-C models: the IS 350C and IS 250C. These high performance accessories will be available from your local Lexus dealership as soon as the two door convertible IS hits the showroom.
The F-Sport Performance Accessories will include high end items like 19 inch forged wheels for added style, big brake upgrades for increased braking power, suspension set-ups to improve handling. Power parts will consist of a polished metal air intake that will add a few extra ponies and dress up the engine bay at the same time and a free flowing sports exhaust. The F-Sport lineup will also include bits to finish off the interior made from every racers favorite material, carbon fiber.
Lexus unveiled today at the Paris Auto Show the Convertible version of its IS250. Sales across Europe will begin in the summer of 2009. U.S. sales have not been announced yet (likely because it is right now being shown in Europe) but it should be around the same time as Europe.
The IS250C is powered by the same engine as the sedan version: the 2.5-liter V6 delivering 205 hp. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The IS 250C also uses the front double wishbone and multink rear suspension format from the IS sedan range to give, which means it should have the same spirited drive as the sedan. Lexus says there are significant chassis revisions to handle the structural differences that comes with the loss of the roof.
The 2010 IS250C will have a MSRP of $38,490 when equipped with a six-speed manual transmission; the IS250C with a six-speed automatic transmission will be $39,660. The IS350C will have a MSRP of $43,940.
Press release after the jump.
> More
The drop top theme continues today on Top Speed with the latest addition to the Lexus line-up - the Lexus IS-C – has just gone on sale in Japan. But here in the U.S. we will have to wait a little bit longer. Domestic sales will begin in early June, and the automaker has high hopes for the new car: they are planning on moving 1600 units a month.
The 2010 IS250C will start at $38,490 equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, and an automatic will bring the price up to $39,660. While the larger engine bearing IS350C will have an MSRP of $43,940.
The only other convertible in Lexus’ line-up is the SC450 priced at $67,680. With more than $20,000 between them, Lexus expects that car buyers looking to get into a Japanese luxury convertible will find the IS-C to be a very attractive option.
Fox Marketing and Artisan Performance are preparing a very striking version of Lexus’s smaller open air sports coupe. Dubbed the IS-C; this tuner machine will become a wide body, twin turbocharged full-on show car. Covered from head to toe in candy green, this vehicle should be sitting pretty in the Lexus booth later on this year at SEMA.
Lexus’s latest version of their hot-rodded IS-F, the IS-F Evolution is set to make its car show debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon in October, and hit showrooms as early as the summer of 2010. The major difference for the V8 powered four-door is the extensive use of carbon fiber. The lightweight composite material will not only be used for the vehicle’s exterior body panels, bringing the weight down by over 200 pounds, but will also be a major ingredient in the fade-free carbon-ceramic brakes.
Although the 5.0 liter eight cylinder engine will only see a slight bump in peak output, expect the lightweight nature of the IS-F Evolution to turn it into a handling machine. Lexus is planning a limited production run of only 500 units and the
The 5.0-litre V8 engine will most likely see a bust of power. The IS-F will be limited to only 500 units and the price is rumored to start at around $250,000
Lexus announced prices for the 2010 RX 450h hybrid SUV and 2010 IS250C and IS350C retractable hardtop convertibles. The RX450h will go on sale for a price of f $41,660 for the FWD version and $43,250 for the AWD version. The prices for the 2010 IS250C will start from $38,490 when equipped with a six-speed manual transmission; the IS250C with a six-speed automatic transmission will be $39,660. The IS350C will have a MSRP of $43,940.
The 2010 RX 450h is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 Atkinson-cycle engine combined to a lighter electric motors. It delivers 295 hp and has a fuel economy of 30 mpg combined.
The IS 250C features a 2.5-liter, 204-hp V6 mated to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission; the IS350C contains a 3.5-liter, 306-hp V6 with a six-speed automatic.
Press release after the jump.
> More
If you check out Lexus’s website you will see that the asking price for an IS-F is just under $57,000. Topspeed has already reported that the Japanese luxury car maker is preparing an even more high tech version of the V8 powered, eight speed shifting IS sedan that will be known as the IS-F Evolution.
Initial speculation estimated the price to be around $200,000. If that sounds like a lot for a carbon fiber IS-F, what about $250,000? At almost $200,000 more than the already high performance version of the Lexus IS the Evolution should be packing some pretty serious heat if Lexus plans on selling all 500 examples.
Set to be released in the summer of 2010, the IS-F Evolution will be powered by a V8 engine delivering 423 HP, up from the 416 HP in the standard model. The weight of the vehicle will be reduced to only 1550 kilograms and will feature supercar parts like carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fiber interior and even bolder blistered fenders made from the woven black stuff.
The Japanese tuners Tom’s have a long tradition tuning Toyota vehicles for both the racetrack and the street. Their latest treatment for the Lexus IS consists of an aero lip package that accentuates the aggressive styling of the littler Lexus without extensively modifying the exterior, as well as a sport tuned exhaust system.
Pages: 
3 comments
Picture Gallery
RSS -
Webmaster free news |