Either Toyota has one seriously fast transport ship, or there are more than a few of these V8-powered IS sedans being put through their paces on the international test circuit. After catching a similar prototype on the Nurburgring recently, these shots come to us from the California desert.
From up close, this prototype reveals a few more details we couldn't see before. First off, those odd stacked tailpipes that looked so fake from far away are indeed the real deal. Second, this high-powered Lexus is going to have some serious running gear. Check out the cross drilled brake rotors, 19-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Third, Lexus doesn't appear to be very worried about keeping this model under wraps any longer as the engineers behind the wheel appeared uninterested in the camera snapping away right in front of them. Maybe it's a sign that we'll be seeing the production version of this IS 500 sedan in the very near future, like the Paris auto show in September maybe?
trackwrex says:
07:19 AM, 08/ 3/06
YES!!! It is HOTNESS!!! I want to see the comparison vs. the new M3 and RS4. *evil grin* Uhm, I'LL drive. ;)
shiftright1 says:
07:44 AM, 08/ 3/06
Awesome! If it performs on par with the likes of the M3 and has the usual Lexus reliability, it would be VERY successful!!
esf says:
07:50 AM, 08/ 3/06
If it has the LS460's 380hp V8, it could be a serious player- but I do question Lexus's ability to build a performance car. It toted the new GS as having good handling, but some magazines have gone far enough to call it a "tarted-up Camry".
I'm really more interested in the new Lexus LF-A and Audi R8 sports coupes.
shiftright1 says:
08:54 AM, 08/ 3/06
The LF-A is ofcourse in a different league altogether. I cannot wait for more concrete info on that beast either.
I do hope however that Lexus will tune their 4.6 li V8 to produce at least 400 hp. The M3 V8 will have "atleast 400 hp" and the Audi RS4 has over 400. There may not be all that much difference in performance but their is a definite psychological difference when purchasing a 300+hp car versus a 400 hp machine.
hondacura4 says:
03:24 PM, 08/ 3/06
I just hope they offer a MANUAL TRANNY with the V8 and add one to the existing 3.5 V6. I dont want no stinkin' flappy paddle garbage.
I was told (by an extrememly credible source) that it would be a 5.0 liter V8 not the 4.6, hence the name IS-FIVEHUNDRED.
carspy says:
08:05 PM, 08/ 3/06
Very nice photos.
autodriven says:
08:51 AM, 08/ 4/06
Hey folks; what's up with those silly "stacked" exhaust pipes. Gimmicks like that usually backfire in terms of preferences. Just give me a nice dual chrome exhuast pipe some place on the car.
drfill says:
09:14 PM, 08/ 4/06
Bear in mind.
The LS600h will sport a 5.0 V8. Plan on seeing it in other Lexus models, not just the low-volume Hybrid for $100k.
I'm not holding my breath for a manual tranny, as necessary as that is. Lexus seems to have sports sedans confused with something that doesn't really want to be driven.
The 350 is so close, yet so far.....
DrFill
drfill says:
09:16 PM, 08/ 4/06
One more ting!
Either make one large exhaust on each side, or put quad exhaust in like the M3.
No one is asking you to reinvent the wheel.
And no gold wheels either. It looks tacky on a WRX, much less a Lexus!
DrFill
chrnochime says:
04:18 PM, 08/ 9/06
...And no one is asking you to buy it if you don't like the exhausts/wheels.
jesteraver says:
06:59 PM, 08/ 9/06
I would for sure buy this car.
Hopefully going to see this in September at the Paris Auto Show.
Atleast we now know the size of the engine and the amount of power it will be putting out. I just wonder what they will be doing for the front side of the car, hmm... anyone got ideas. I saw this photoshopped one with vents that looked like from a M3/M5.
ticozx says:
10:02 PM, 08/10/06
This is the car that I have been waiting for since they evern mentioned an M3 Killer from Lexus that looks that damn good
angelp says:
02:11 AM, 08/14/06
This is still a car in development, so if you don't like some of the aesthetic qualities, it is quite possible it will be worked out. In addition, Lexus is starting to create more performance friendly vehicles with manual transmissions and the ability to turn off the stability control. Any naysayer from magazines like Road&Track or Automobile is just afraid to come to terms with the reality that this car is going to make the M3 look about as appealing as a six cylinder Mustang.
...Keep in mind with all of the performance drawbacks of the IS350, it STILL came in an incredibly close second to the BMW 3 series.
jesteraver says:
02:39 PM, 08/15/06
AutoWeek now saying the V8 wont happen seeing it weighs to much and a V6 300hp would just be to insane. Oye. Hope Lexus, kills the rumors at the Paris Auto Show.
shiftright1 says:
09:44 AM, 08/27/06
Motor Trend, October 2006 reporting that the IS500 is indeed a go.
It will have the same engine as the LS460 enlarged to 5.0 li V8 and gereate "well over 400hp". It will be "the fastest car Toyota has ever built" Considering that the almost 4500lb LS does 60 in 5.4 seconds, this IS would be a true beast and give the M3 and the Audi RS4 major headaches. Factor in the legendary Lexus quality and reliability, and this would be an awesome car indeed.
crimsono2 says:
08:39 AM, 09/ 1/06
And seeing as how 2007 is the year the models will have the VDIM switch to turn it on and off, it's like we'll really the wolf in the sheep's clothing.
broker1 says:
07:54 PM, 09/ 4/06
Lexus should be able to master this segment of automobiles as they have managed to do so with other segments through trial and error.