Lexus took aim at the performance sedans from Germany with the IS-F, and it seemed to do well on the first attempt. The IS-F is selling well, especially in its home market of Japan, so Lexus is allowing its engineers to spread their muscle again with a car rumored to be called the IS-F Evolution.
When it comes to high-performance special editions, Lexus may take a page from the ultimate Japanese express ride, the Nissan GT-R. When Nissan made the SpecV version of the car, it didn’t touch the engine. Instead the car got lighter and better handling. For the IS-F Evolution, Lexus is rumored to leave the 5.0-liter 416 hp V8 alone, and just focus of replacing as much as possible with carbon (fiber). This includes carbon fiber bumpers and center console as well as carbon ceramic brakes. All the replacement parts should slim down the hod-rod IS-F by 308 lbs, which is about an eight percent weight savings.
Also just like the GT-R SpecV, Lexus is going for statosphric pricing for this special edition. 7Tune is estimating the price close to $200,000 (yen was converted to dollars). With the huge sticker price, and limited numbers (there are only 500 IS-F made per year), we don’t expect too many of these examples to make it off the island of Japan.
Lexus announced at the Chicago Auto Show that the F-Sport Performance Accessories line has been expanded to GS sports sedan, IS AWD and the upcoming IS convertible.
These F-Sport accessories (think BMW’s M division) will include performance enhancing parts such as forged alloy wheels, brake upgrades, suspension systems, air intake, exhaust systems and more. Parts for these new models will be available as early as June 1, 2009.
Full parts breakdown in the press release after the jump.
> More
Last week we saw the Lexus IS-F by Ventross and we liked it, but what about the new kit from the well-known Japanese tuner, Wald International?
The tuning house unveiled today its new body kit for the Japanese sports sedan consisting in a redesigned front bumper, a new set of side skirts, a carbon-fiber trunk lid and a new rear bumper with integrated air diffuser. The kit also includes a new set of black wheels with high performance tires.
.
American tuner Vorsteiner launched today the Ventross, a sub division that will focus its attention on the high-end Japanese import vehicles. The first car to receive some attention from Ventross is the Lexus IS-F, a sport sedan fitted with a 5.0-liter V8 engine making 416 hp.
The new kit includes a carbon-fiber front lip spoiler, a new trunk with integrated spoiler and a new carbon-fiber air diffuser. Also, a new set of 3-piece aluminium wheels will be available or the existent 6-spoke black wheels. The manufacturer has big plans because it also announced a full carbon-fiber package for the 2009 Nissan GT-R.
Attention boy-racers who won the lottery: Lexus unveiled at the 2008 Australian International Motor Show the IS250 Sports Concept that features a number of performance and visual enhancements.
Lexus modified the brakes, shock absorbers, sway bars, chassis braces, air intake, clutch, short shift kit, exhaust, 19-inch wheels, engine cover and spoilers.
Under the hood Lexus placed a performance air intake, resulting in a three percent power increase and a carbon-fiber engine cover. Vehicles with manual transmissions also receive a short shift kit, resulting in a 35 percent reduction in fore and aft gearshift movement.
Press release after the jump.
> More
Lexus unveiled at the Paris Auto Show the revised 2009 IS line-up that includes many small additions that add up to significant improvements in the car. The version shown in Paris is obviously the European model, but it is likely the same revisions will also make it to North America.
The updated IS model range features a revised front grille and bumper design. Also new power folding door mirrors now feature integral LED side turn indicators. There are new 17” and 18” alloy wheel designs. The new IS range is available in ten body colors including two new colors: Amber Mica and Truffle Mica.
On the technical side, the engine undercover has been redesigned to optimise airflow under the vehicle floor. The new design increases negative pressure under the car and generates more downforce. Revisions to the transmission shift pattern have yielded a CO2 emission cut by 8 to 3 percent depending on model.
Press release after the jump.
> More
.
After Renntech, the tuning company specialized in Mercedes vehicles, which promised to unveil its customized GLK at the SEMA Show, another tuner announced today their vehicle that will debut at 2009 SEMA: Fox Marketing-Artisan.
The tuner announced the debut of their customized Lexus IS-F. The big surprise regarding this vehicle is under the hood where the 5.0-liter V8, thanks to a Mishimoto radiator, a new Artisan exhaust is now capable to develop over 600 hp, according to the manufacturer.
The kit of the car features custom front and rear bumpers, new side sills, iForged 20 inch alloy wheels fitted with Toyo T1R tires. No words about the price of the kit but according to the manufacturer this will be released at the SEMA show.
.
Yesterday the first details on the 2009 Lexus IS sedan surfaced on the internet. Today, thanks to CarScoop, we can confirm that the coupe-cabrio version will also be revealed at the Paris Auto Show. Although the open-top version will first be revealed as a concept, the car is expected to go into production with only minor changes.
The Lexus Japanese page, today revealed first details on the 2009 IS facelift. The Japanese debut will be made on September 9th, while world debut is set for the Paris Auto Show.
The IS facelift also comes with minor changes, such as the VDIM handling system standard on the IS250 and aluminum wheels (17 inches, 18 inches).
More details are soon to follow.
With Lexus’ LF-A on a long delay, the Japanese luxury carmaker needs a new coupe/convertible to keep a sporting image. Lexus has announced it will go on with his plans about a coupe-cabriolet version of its IS-F sporty sedan. Like the SC, which will be dropped in 2011, the IS-F coupe-cabrio will feature a folding hardtop. The car will compete with models like Audi RS4, BMW M3 and Mercedes CLK.
Lexus will unveil the new model in 2009. It will be first sold on the US market. Under the hood there will likely be a V6 engine, but a V8 is still a possibility. Another rumor is that there may be a lightweight version of the IS-F in the pipeline.
Pages: 
1 comment
Picture Gallery
RSS -
Webmaster free news |