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Motor Authority - blog Category: IS 250

  • Report: Lexus IS F Convertible planned for early 2011 launch

    Report: Lexus IS F Convertible planned for early 2011 launch July 8th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, July 8th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 3 Comments

    Report: Lexus IS F Convertible planned for early 2011 launch Despite there being no plans yet for an IS Coupe or a high-performance F version of the new IS C Convertible, officially, a new report has surfaced and claims that a Lexus IS F Convertible is in the works.

    Coupe and convertible versions of the IS-F would be welcome by fans, and it would also likely be met with strong sales, if BMW's experience is any gauge - the M3 Coupe and Convertible together outsell the sedan about 3:1. A sporty IS Convertible, in the form of the F-Sport, is already out there, but a super-performance drop-top could still find its own niche. After all, how many fans of the go-fast can seriously argue with a 5.0L V8... Despite there being no plans yet for an IS Coupe or a high-performance F version of the new IS C Convertible, officially, a new report has surfaced and claims that a Lexus IS F Convertible is in the works. Coupe and convertible versions of the IS-F would be welcome by fans, and it would also likely be met with strong sales, if BMW's experience is any gauge - the M3 Coupe and Convertible together outsell the sedan about 3:1. A sporty IS Convertible, in the form of the F-Sport, is already out there, but a super-performance drop-top could still find its own niche. After all, how many fans of the go-fast can seriously argue with a 5.0L V8 engine or 416hp - plus the sun on your face and the wind in your hair? According to Car and Driver, citing inside sources at Lexus, a new IS F Convertible is coming in early 2011 and would feature the same 5.0L V8 and quick-shifting 8-speed automatic as the four-door. Furthermore, the insider also revealed that a replacement for the aging SC convertible is planned and that the new model would likely switch to a soft-top roof to keep costs and weight down.Review: 2008 Lexus IS-F2010 Lexus IS C F-Sport Read More

  • Report: Convertible Lexus IS-F greenlighted, soft-top SC possible

    Report: Convertible Lexus IS-F greenlighted, soft-top SC possible June 15th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, June 15th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 0 Comments

    Report: Convertible Lexus IS-F greenlighted, soft-top SC possible Just two months ago the new 2010 Lexus IS Convertible went on sale in Japan, and with it came talk of a coupe version as well. That started rumors that Lexus could make IS-F versions of both, and a new report today confirms those plans.

    The report also includes hints of a possible soft-top variant of the Lexus SC. According to Car and Driver, inside sources at Lexus have revealed that the IS-F convertible will reach production by early 2011. The SC soft-top won't be available until the next gen-car arrives.

    A convertible and/or coupe version of the IS-F would almost certainly be welcomed by fans. It would also likely be met with strong... Just two months ago the new 2010 Lexus IS Convertible went on sale in Japan, and with it came talk of a coupe version as well. That started rumors that Lexus could make IS-F versions of both, and a new report today confirms those plans. The report also includes hints of a possible soft-top variant of the Lexus SC. According to Car and Driver, inside sources at Lexus have revealed that the IS-F convertible will reach production by early 2011. The SC soft-top won't be available until the next gen-car arrives. A convertible and/or coupe version of the IS-F would almost certainly be welcomed by fans. It would also likely be met with strong sales, if BMW's experience is any gauge - the M3 Coupe and Convertible together outsell the sedan about 3:1. A sporty IS Convertible, in the form of the F-Sport, is already out there, but a super-performance drop-top could still find its own niche. After all, how many fans of the go-fast can seriously argue with a 5.0L V8 engine or 416hp - plus the sun on your face and the wind in your hair? On the other hand, Lexus has previously said it hasn't decided if a convertible would sell well for them. "Right now, there are no plans for that," Toyota/Lexus PR spokesman Curt McAllister told Edmunds. "We're going to investigate how well the [standard IS C] convertible does and make a determination from there." If the IS-F convertible does come to life, expect it to be a technological doppelganger for the IS-F sedan, minus the rear doors. The standard IS coupe it would be based on was hinted at as a possibility just last week by Lexus boss Mark Templin. Check out our review for more on the Lexus IS-F sedan.Review: 2008 Lexus IS-F2010 Lexus IS C F-SportLexus IS Coupe preview Read More

  • Lexus exec hints at sporty IS Coupe

    Lexus exec hints at sporty IS Coupe June 11th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, June 11th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 3 Comments

    Lexus exec hints at sporty IS Coupe With Lexus now offering a Convertible version of its IS, the question remains: is a sporty IS Coupe ever going to be launched? Considering that an IS Coupe would likely share much in common with the IS Convertible, including most of the engineering work, chassis modifications, body work, and interior fittings, it simply makes sense for Lexus to launch such a car.

    The guys at Jalopnik have posed the question to Lexus general manager Mark Templin. The response they received from Templin was that while there is no confirmation of an IS Coupe, “it's certainly something we [Lexus] should study carefully."

    If produced, the IS Coupe will... With Lexus now offering a Convertible version of its IS, the question remains: is a sporty IS Coupe ever going to be launched? Considering that an IS Coupe would likely share much in common with the IS Convertible, including most of the engineering work, chassis modifications, body work, and interior fittings, it simply makes sense for Lexus to launch such a car. The guys at Jalopnik have posed the question to Lexus general manager Mark Templin. The response they received from Templin was that while there is no confirmation of an IS Coupe, “it's certainly something we [Lexus] should study carefully." If produced, the IS Coupe will likely share the same 2.5L and 3.5L engines as the rest of the IS range, and fingers crossed Lexus may also introduce its 5.0L V8 engine into the car and build a direct rival for the BMW M3 Coupe and Audi S5. Another bright spot is that the IS Coupe will almost certainly be cheaper than its comparable IS Convertible cousin, which starts at less than $40,000. Given the success of the IS as well as the BMW 3-series Coupe, Lexus is likely to add an IS Coupe to its lineup. Until then, however, the IS Convertible will have to carry the new-model mantle.Lexus IS250C convertibleLexus IS Coupe preview Read More

  • Lexus IS C gets F-Sport makeover

    Lexus IS C gets F-Sport makeover May 16th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, May 16th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 3 Comments

    Lexus IS C gets F-Sport makeover Lexus recently expanded its F-Sport Performance Accessories line to include parts for the GS sedan and IS AWD, and this week the company revealed full details for new parts for the IS C convertible that has just gone on sale. Previously the performance range was only applicable for the IS 250 and IS 350 sedans but Lexus has always maintained that parts would eventually be developed for other vehicles in its lineup.

    The new IS C F-Sport accessories include performance enhancing parts such as forged alloy wheels, brake upgrades, suspension systems, air intake, exhaust systems and more. The parts were developed with help from Toyota Racing... Lexus recently expanded its F-Sport Performance Accessories line to include parts for the GS sedan and IS AWD, and this week the company revealed full details for new parts for the IS C convertible that has just gone on sale. Previously the performance range was only applicable for the IS 250 and IS 350 sedans but Lexus has always maintained that parts would eventually be developed for other vehicles in its lineup. The new IS C F-Sport accessories include performance enhancing parts such as forged alloy wheels, brake upgrades, suspension systems, air intake, exhaust systems and more. The parts were developed with help from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and will be available at North American Lexus showrooms from June 1. The new range includes 19in forged alloy wheels designed in a dark graphite finish, six-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors, braided stainless-steel brake lines, sports pads, and a new shock absorber and suspension spring set. The shock absorbers and springs were co-developed with Bilstein and provide a firmer ride, increased stability and reduced body roll. Body roll and chassis flex is further reduced with the adoption of the sway bars and a chassis brace. Engine performance is lifted with a new sports exhaust and intake system consisting of stainless-steel mufflers and double-wall exhaust tips and high-flow filters. Other pieces include a carbon-fiber engine cover, a performance clutch for manual models, as well as a quick-shift gearstick that decreases shift throw by approximately 35%.Lexus F-Sport Performance Accessories range for GS, IS, and IS Convertible2010 Lexus IS C F-Sport Read More

  • Lexus predicts 1,600 IS Convertible sales per month, starting price below $40,000

    Lexus predicts 1,600 IS Convertible sales per month, starting price below $40,000 May 8th, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, May 8th, 2009 James Martinez 0 Comments

    Lexus predicts 1,600 IS Convertible sales per month, starting price below $40,000 Lexus' much anticipated IS Convertible went on sale in Tokyo today, a car that the Toyota luxury division has been working on for the past year or so in order to compete with similar offerings from BMW and Audi. With the new convertible, Lexus has revealed that it will be hoping to steal away sales from other premium brands, namely the 3-series and previous A4 convertibles.

    Speaking with Automotive News, Lexus project manager Keiichi Nishiyama revealed that pricing for the car will start at under $40,000. Unsurprisingly, Lexus is targeting the U.S. market even though the financial crisis seems to be deepening rather than improving.

    The... Lexus' much anticipated IS Convertible went on sale in Tokyo today, a car that the Toyota luxury division has been working on for the past year or so in order to compete with similar offerings from BMW and Audi. With the new convertible, Lexus has revealed that it will be hoping to steal away sales from other premium brands, namely the 3-series and previous A4 convertibles. Speaking with Automotive News, Lexus project manager Keiichi Nishiyama revealed that pricing for the car will start at under $40,000. Unsurprisingly, Lexus is targeting the U.S. market even though the financial crisis seems to be deepening rather than improving. The carmaker is hoping to sell around 1,600 units of the IS250C per month around the world, but 70% of these sales are expected to come from the U.S. alone. That means that Lexus is expecting U.S. customers to account for around 1,120 units per month, or 13,400 sales per year. Creating a new entry-level Lexus convertible means that customers will not have to rely on the expensive (and frankly outdated) SC convertible to get their top-down Lexus kicks. When the car arrives in the U.S. early next month, Lexus is hoping that it can pick up the slack of falling SC convertible sales. A convertible version of the IS 350 is expected to be launched later in the year.Lexus IS250C convertible Read More

  • Lexus officially prices the RX 450h and IS Convertible

    Lexus officially prices the RX 450h and IS Convertible April 23rd, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, April 23rd, 2009 Kenneth Hall 1 Comment

    Lexus officially prices the RX 450h and IS Convertible Revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, and previewed by us at a first drive event in January, the new Lexus RX 450h has finally been priced. Along with it, the new IS Convertible also gets a price tag, and both start out right around $40,000.

    The RX 450h starts at $41,660, about $5,000 more than its non-hybrid sibling. Whether that's a value given the relatively small difference in fuel efficiency we observed on the backroads of San Antonio is an open question, but the 450h certainly offers a green image the 350 can't match. The AWD version of the RX 450h starts at $43,250.

    The IS Convertible starts at a slightly more attractive... Revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, and previewed by us at a first drive event in January, the new Lexus RX 450h has finally been priced. Along with it, the new IS Convertible also gets a price tag, and both start out right around $40,000. The RX 450h starts at $41,660, about $5,000 more than its non-hybrid sibling. Whether that's a value given the relatively small difference in fuel efficiency we observed on the backroads of San Antonio is an open question, but the 450h certainly offers a green image the 350 can't match. The AWD version of the RX 450h starts at $43,250. The IS Convertible starts at a slightly more attractive $38,490 for the IS 250C, stepping up to $39,660 with a six-speed automatic transmission and $43,940 for the more potent IS 350C. The RX 450h features an electronic AWD system. Unlike mechanical AWD systems, the electric-powered rear-mounted motor/generator allows all four wheels to perform regenerative braking and obviates the power-sapping inefficiencies of transfer cases and the weight of extra driveshafts. Rated at 295hp (220kW), the Atkinson-cycle 3.5L V6 gasoline engine in the RX450h picks up 27hp (20kW) over the 2008 model, but still has the same 3,500lb towing capacity, and still manages to secure a SULEV emissions rating. The RX350 uses a similarly-sized V6 engine rated at 275hp (205kW), a gain of 5hp (3kW) over the 2009 model. The IS Convertibles, on the other hand, are nearly identical to their hardtop siblings, varying only in style and price. Both the IS 250C and 350C have already been greenlighted for U.S. sale as well, though which other markets might see the car is still up in the air.Lexus IS250C convertible2010 Lexus RX first drive Read More

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