Start Saving for the IS500

[tony]

SilverF16, I think you've single-handedly "defined" the feel required - amazing. But the answer to most of those questions is: probably not. Of course not. Well, *certainly* not as a Lexus. But I suppose it's not out of the question for a Toyota. It only spectacurally highlights the differences between the Altezza-based IS300 and the new Lexus IS.

But for me, the new IS *is* what I want, or more accurately, it's what I want now. It's not what I wanted when I bought the IS300. I want more luxury now - and am willing to compromise on many of the enthusiast-based design decisions it takes make a Sport Sedan. I keep my '94 Miata around for when I don't want ABS.

As a car model ages, it enhances certain characteristics over others. Some buyers will be alienated by those changes, others will embrace the changes. As the car changes, so does the demo. As the demo ages, so does the car.

We might see something from Toyota in the new Supra. But the days of pure enthusiast-driven philosphy in a car from a luxury brand are over.

[TRDFantasy]

Just to make it clear, I have big doubts that Toyota would use a Magneti Marelli transmission for any Lexus car.

For the upcoming Lexus supercar, a variation on Toyota's F1 gearbox seems much more likely. The supercar's V10 is directly derived from F1, and it makes sense that the gearbox would be too.
Toyota currently has a 7 speed sequential titanium gearbox being used in it's F1 cars.

As for 0 - 60 in 4.7s ... that's likely a rough estimate. The IS350 already can hit 0 - 60 in 5.1s. If the IS500 is indeed a reality, believe me ... it will be faster than 4.7s to 60mph.

SilverF16, you're missing the point. Lexus wants to be Lexus. Toyota doesn't want Lexus to follow BMW's footsteps. Lexus is charting it's own path.

As a Lexus, Toyota will never make such a hardcore or bare bones sports machine, with the exception being the upcoming supercar. The IS500, if it sees production, will definitely be sportier and better handling than an IS350, but it will *still* be a Lexus, and don't forget that. Toyota will not sacrifice the luxury of any one of it's Lexus vehicles just to add sport.

[SilverF16]

Toyota will not make a hardcore sport car or sports sedan. The new V10 will be a GT - As in Grand Touring, not a purist sports car.

Toyota knows itself well. It knows its strength and weakness. Hardcore sports anything isn't Toyota's strength.

The question is does the buyer know himself well to know what they truly want in a vehicle. If a hardcore sports car/sedan is what you truly want, check out Honda, BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus, . If you want a good compromise of sporty intentions, reliability, and luxury, then the IS350/500 and the new V10 GT are worthy considerations.

[TRDFantasy]

With an F1 derived engine, F1 derived transmission, you're right ... Toyota is not making a sports car ... they are making a supercar.

The car's V10 is a very high rev engine ... believe me this won't be a GT car.

Sorry, but you need to get back to reality if you *actually* think BMW makes "hardcore" sports cars or sports sedans. BMW makes sporty luxury cars, that lean more towards sport than luxury. It's a joke to even think of grouping Lotus and BMW together. You might as well group Yugo and Toyota while you're at it.

Toyota's goal with the Lexus supercar is to offer a combination never before seen in a supercar: high reliability/world class quality and craftsmanship, supercar performance, exotic technology, and of course Lexus luxury.

[Threxx]

Sorry but I'm going to have a reeeal hard time justifying paying 'just under' 60 grand for an entry level car with a sportier suspension and a V8 that for the most part isn't a far cry from what will be standard equipment in the GS460 and LS460- albeit stroked out 4 tenths of a liter more.

I mean... I can get a nicely equipped LS460 or a fully loaded GS460 for that price range - and they have what amounts to be 95% the same motor as far as I know - to me you're giving up a whole lot more 'car' for your money to get the IS500.

Granted I have similar feelings about th RS4 and M3 in most of those regards as well, but... to me 60 grand for an IS500 seems WAY overpriced. UNLESS the only way it comes is literally with every option available. Then I guess the price might at least be somewhat reasonable though still far from a fair deal IMO.

I can't help but look at a 60k dollar IS500 and then look over at a C6 Corvette which I could buy for 40k brand new and would hand the IS its ass on a silver platter. Granted not with nearly as much 'luxury' to go along with it - but damnit, if I want a sports car, I want a sports car. If I want a luxury car, I want a luxury car.

Even the euro brands who've been trying to make a viable hybrid between the two where there is little compromise as still a long way off - so I doubt lexus is going to be doing it on its first shot either.

A big step in the right direction would probably be some sort of true active or at least semi-active suspension, like AVS but maybe even greater in range that would allow for great handling without a harsh ride.

And please no brakes that require high dollar replacement every 15k miles either. Lexus, you are losing site of what got you to #1. Value and consistancy.

[SilverF16]

trd FANTASY - Sounds like you have very high expectation for the upcoming Toyota "super car". That, and you believe that Lexus will make something more sporty than BMW.

[TRD328]

manual transmission: IS300.net/My.IS is not the general public. It's only a collection of enthusiasts that congregate on an internet forum. The mass market that will purchase the IS500 will be wanting the semi-auto. Look at the trend ; SMG on the BMW M cars. Audi is turning to the DSG, Volkswagen R32 is DSG, Lambo's E-gear etc. this is what the public prefers. Ease of use.

4.7sec: official figures generally stray a bit. M5 has been reported to do 4.4sec from a few magazines. We'll have to wait and see whether IS500 uses 4WD or rear wheel drive (weight).

But do we remember the previous generation IS430(?) when TTE were testing the M3 beater? Hope this won't be just a one off project.

[TRDFantasy]

Yes, I do have very high expectations ... why wouldn't you?

Let's check what we know about the car:

• F1 sourced V10 engine
  
• F1 sourced semi-auto transmission
  
• rumoured all-carbon fibre body
  
• likely to be sitting on a space-frame chassis (a first for any Lexus or Toyota car to my knowledge)
  
• Lexus level of quality and craftsmanship
  
• curb weight under 3000lbs, based on leaked info from Toyota

But wait, I guess all of this doesn't mean much because this car won't be as sporty as a BMW .

Again, BMW makes far from the sportiest cars out there. Why not mention Subaru in the same vein as BMW? They make far sportier cars than BMW does. Why not talk about Lotus?

Silver F16, judging from your posts, it's as if you eat, sleep, and drink BMW. If you're such a strong BMW fan, why are you on these forums?

[jbzny1]

I think many people lose sight of the fact that these are LEXUS vehicles, and not Toyota. With that said, Lexus is the luxury line of Toyota, not the sports line for Toyota, what the want to do is give you the cross of luxury and performance, and to do this some components MUST be sacrificed, period.

Anything in a vehicle has a trade-off, If you want low-end torque in a vehicle your trade off is usually less high-end torque, and this is the same with Luxury-sport. You cannot have both, as much as it is so desired, it cannot happen in the car market and still be viable for a automaker.

It pretty much comes to the point that if you want a sports car, buy a Ferrari, Lambo, Corvette, etc, and if you want a luxury car then buy an LS, Mercedes, Bentley, Rolls, etc, but if you want something that gives you some aspects of both then you have the choices of the BMW, IS's, and Mercedes AMG's. Some of you guys really expect too much, I really think you should consider what you are getting into when become part of a certain company's family, although the last word in Lexus' motto end in P it is not "The ultimate pursuit of performance"

[gbb357]

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 Nurburgring is clearly no ordinary IS 350 given its deep front air dam, extra large trunk lid spoiler and quad exhaust pipes. On top of that, we just heard a rumor that the new LS 460 will be the first Lexus with a fully defeatable electronic stability control system. We can only hope this high-powered IS will be the next nannyless Lexus headed our way. Well, it look like Lexus is finally getting serious about offering performance sedans. That's the one area in which the European luxury sedans have had an edge. ...Maybe not for much longer, however.

Here's the link for pics.
http://blogs.edmunds.com/.ee92c10

[Platinum288]

Nice, but those tailpipes should be arranged differently IMO.

[zerokarma]

Yea the tailpipes look funny like that...

[gbb357]

[lextasy623]

I hope they do a coupe! 6sp manual too

[wingzero]

if they do release it with that exhaust, i hope HKS makes a patch for it!!!