Lexus: Development and Technology News
11-08-2006, 03:55 PM
#41
The sizzle in the Steak
^^ Makes sense.
11-08-2006, 03:58 PM
#42
Senior Moderator
@ gav...
11-08-2006, 07:05 PM
#44
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by gavriil
What it's missing is a stick and a stiffer suspension.
It would help if it was a little more sportier... maybe that will change with a coupe version 
Most car companies just play it too "safe" IMHO... Heck, my mom bought a (last gen) SE Camry... If the sport edition of a car is tame enough for my mom, it's not sporty enough for me...
11-08-2006, 07:15 PM
#45
I miss my 03 CL-S :(
I remember when I was looking for cars before getting my 03 CL-S in 2002 I checked out the IS300 L-tuned edition. It was horrible, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why it cost so much. After talking to the salesman, I'm pretty sure even he couldn't justify the premium for a horrible bodykit and a few tacky badges.
Kind of like "A-Spec" on the TSX and TL. All it is is a bodykit and springs.
Kind of like "A-Spec" on the TSX and TL. All it is is a bodykit and springs.
11-08-2006, 09:57 PM
#46
Test Drive: 2003 Lexus IS300 L-Tuned
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/hl/03is300.htm
After the folks at TRD got their hands on it, my formerly stock tester had been given a new front-end treatment, ground effects all around, a rear spoiler, and nasty looking 18-inch wheels fitted with 225/40-series low-profile tires. New springs are stiffer and lower the ride height by one full inch and a performance muffler adds 8 horsepower (according to Lexus) to the stocker's divine 215 horsepower inline six.
12-04-2006, 10:05 AM
#47
Senior Moderator
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/12/...o-rival-amg-m/
Doesn't sound all that sporty.
Lexus will launch a new high-performance lineup beginning in 2007, according to dealer sources cited by Automotive News. The series will compete with BMW's "M" line and Mercedes' AMG. The automaker has filed for a trademark on the name "IS-F," which is believed to be the name for the company's 425 horsepower IS sedan, previously referred to as the IS 500.
12-04-2006, 10:28 AM
#48
Race Director
Where's the coupe? I thought for sure now that the E92 is out they'd have a launch pretty soon. And of course they'd have the high performance versions soon to follow, L-tuned, F, whatever.
Is it just me or is the luster of the two relatively new sedans, IS and GS, already gone? The sales numbers seem to be going down, especially on the GS, and even quick upgrades like the GS350 are not helping matters. OTOH, BMW keeps selling the 3 series at 10K/mo and the 5 series sells just as well or even better than ever. The M is doing better than the GS and pretty soon the G will overtake the IS in sales. Maybe the fan base has bought all it wanted and now the sales will be harder to come by.
Is it just me or is the luster of the two relatively new sedans, IS and GS, already gone? The sales numbers seem to be going down, especially on the GS, and even quick upgrades like the GS350 are not helping matters. OTOH, BMW keeps selling the 3 series at 10K/mo and the 5 series sells just as well or even better than ever. The M is doing better than the GS and pretty soon the G will overtake the IS in sales. Maybe the fan base has bought all it wanted and now the sales will be harder to come by.
Last edited by biker; 12-04-2006 at 10:30 AM.
12-04-2006, 11:18 AM
#50
Senior Moderator
a 450 hp IS... 
12-04-2006, 02:00 PM
#52
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A new Lexus 'F' - as in 'faaast' - - By MARK RECHTIN | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS - - SOurce: Autoweek
LOS ANGELES - Lexus will launch a performance brand in late 2007 to compete with Mercedes' AMG and BMW's M divisions.
Lexus will start with an IS sedan equipped with a 425-hp, 5.0-liter V-8. The engine is a retuned version of the LS 600h L hybrid's engine, dealer sources said.
The sedan will be called the IS-F. It will debut at the Detroit auto show in January.
Lexus likely will carry that nomenclature into other high-performance Lexus vehicles, a dealer said. He said a GS-F sedan and IS-F coupe likely will follow.
The IS-F - "F" as in "fast" - will go on sale in December 2007 and sticker in the low $50,000 range, sources said. Lexus told dealers of the plans at a recent national meeting.
Toyota Motor Co. filed for a trademark for "IS-F" on Nov. 8 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It also filed for a trademark for a stylized "F" logo on Oct. 9.
A dealer source said Yamaha is tuning the IS-F engine's heads for more power. Brembo will be the brake supplier.
Lexus declined to comment.
Lexus will start with an IS sedan equipped with a 425-hp, 5.0-liter V-8. The engine is a retuned version of the LS 600h L hybrid's engine, dealer sources said.
The sedan will be called the IS-F. It will debut at the Detroit auto show in January.
Lexus likely will carry that nomenclature into other high-performance Lexus vehicles, a dealer said. He said a GS-F sedan and IS-F coupe likely will follow.
The IS-F - "F" as in "fast" - will go on sale in December 2007 and sticker in the low $50,000 range, sources said. Lexus told dealers of the plans at a recent national meeting.
Toyota Motor Co. filed for a trademark for "IS-F" on Nov. 8 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It also filed for a trademark for a stylized "F" logo on Oct. 9.
A dealer source said Yamaha is tuning the IS-F engine's heads for more power. Brembo will be the brake supplier.
Lexus declined to comment.
12-04-2006, 03:19 PM
#54
Midnight Marauder
Originally Posted by charliemike
How about the Lexus RIUIUYTLKJ:
Seriously, WTF Toyota?
Seriously, WTF Toyota?
12-04-2006, 03:33 PM
#55
Some dude
How about a Lexus IS 500 F L-Tuned. Sounds like a winner to me.
12-04-2006, 05:00 PM
#57
Race Director
A dealer source said Yamaha is tuning the IS-F engine's heads for more power.
07-17-2010, 07:14 AM
#58
Safety Car
2011
What a year Lexus and parent company Toyota have had--beat up on runaway cars only to have the data show it was the drivers' fault, and hammered further with recalls over faulty parts. But that's not keeping the company from moving forward with its 2011 lineup, though most of the cars in the range receive only minor updates. We've got the full scoop on each car, from the HS 250h all the way up to the mighty LS 600h L, including prices.
2011 Lexus HS 250h
Priced from: $35,100.
All-new for the 2010 model year when it went on sale in August, 2009, the 2011 Lexus HS 250h gets only a pair of new exterior colors: Satin Cashmere and Deep Sea Mica. They replace Golden Almond Metallic and Black Sapphire Pearl, respectively, while Aurora White Pearl is discontinued. The rest of the car carries over from 2010, including the 35 mpg city and 34 mpg highway EPA fuel economy rating.
2011 Lexus IS 350
Priced from: $32,145
More substantial changes are in store for the IS Sedan, with the addition of the IS 350 all-wheel-drive model, new for 2011. The optional F-Sport package gets visual updates, and all IS Sedans get new front styling and interior trim.
The IS 350 AWD model features the same 306-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 as the standard IS 350 rear-drive model, but joins the IS 250 AWD to make two all-weather options in the IS range.
2011 Lexus IS 350C
Priced from: $41,060
The IS convertible, or IS C, gets a few minor interior and exterior appearance tweaks for 2011 despite just going on sale earlier this year. LED daytime running lights join the optional HID package, Deep Sea Mica replaces Ultrasonic Blue in the color scheme, and black metallic and silver-finished trim add to the look. The optional Luxury package can also now be chosen with either Saddle Tan or Light Gray interiors in addition to the previous black.
2011 Lexus GS Sedan
Priced from: $46,000
The only new element to the 2011 Lexus GS 350 and 460 range is a standard brake override system, offered as "an additional measure of consumer confidence." When the brake is applied, the system cuts engine power even if the accelerator pedal is also applied, allowing the car to be safely slowed and stopped.
2011 Lexus GS 450h
Priced from: $57,950
Lexus's GS hybrid gets no updates for the 2011 model year, carrying forward the exterior refresh it got for last year, along with its 340-horsepower combined output and 22 mpg city/25 mpg mpg highway/23 mpg combined ratings.
2011 Lexus ES 350
Priced from: $35,525
The front-wheel-drive Lexus ES 350 gets just one change for 2011, but it could mean a lot to potential buyers: instead of requiring premium 91-octane fuel, Lexus has re-rated the car to use regular 87-octane gasoline. The change results in a slight drop in horsepower and torque, down to 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet from last year's 272-horsepower and 254 pound-feet, but the switch to regular fuel should pay dividends at the pump.
2011 Lexus LS 460
Priced from: $65,380
Unlike most of the rest of the range, the 2011 LS 460 gets a new standard coil suspension to replace the previous standard adjustable air suspension. The air suspension system is still available as an option. The 2011 LS 460 also gets the new brake override system, and loses the Truffle Mica paint color.
2011 Lexus LS 600h L
Priced from: $110,000
Change for change's sake sometimes isn't a good thing, and that's the philosophy with the 2011 LS 600h L. The model carries over from 2010 almost unchanged, with the only differences being the deletion of the optional adjustable air suspension and the Truffle Mica color.
2011 Lexus RX 350
Priced from: $37,975
The new brake override system and two new colors are the only changes for 2011. Truffle Mica, Golden Almond Metallic, and Black Sapphire Pearl are out, while Stargazer Black and Satin Cashmere Mica are in.
2011 Lexus RX 450h
Priced from: $43,235
Color is the only change for the 2011 RX 450h, with Black Opal Mica and Stargazer Black added, and Aurora White Pearl, Truffle Mica, and Black Sapphire Pearl are deleted. The rest of the vehicle, including the 295-horsepower combined output hybrid system, carry forward from 2010.
2011 Lexus GX 460
Priced from: $52,345
Again, only minor updates are to be found here: the new brake override system is added, and the rest of the vehicle's features carry forward from the 2010 model.
2011 Lexus LX 570
Priced from: $77,755
The largest of Lexus' SUVs gets the new brake override system, new interior colors, and additions to the Luxury option package, while the Costa Azul color is deleted for 2011. New interior colors include black leather trim to replace gray, and Golden Bird's-eye Maple wood trim replaces Medium Brown Walnut wood trim. The Luxury package grows slightly with the addition of a heated steering wheel.
07-17-2010, 01:21 PM
#62
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The two that stood out to me were the updated IS350 AWD and ES350. Took them long enough to make AWD available on the 350. Now how about the manual? Manual buyers have got to be more of the 350 buyer rather than the 250 buyer.
The ES350 bit is good news, and I bet it isn't a single bit slower either. Of course now it looks even more related to the Camry on paper.
The ES350 bit is good news, and I bet it isn't a single bit slower either. Of course now it looks even more related to the Camry on paper.
07-17-2010, 04:50 PM
#63
The two that stood out to me were the updated IS350 AWD and ES350. Took them long enough to make AWD available on the 350. Now how about the manual? Manual buyers have got to be more of the 350 buyer rather than the 250 buyer.
The ES350 bit is good news, and I bet it isn't a single bit slower either. Of course now it looks even more related to the Camry on paper.
The ES350 bit is good news, and I bet it isn't a single bit slower either. Of course now it looks even more related to the Camry on paper.
, lol!
07-17-2010, 05:48 PM
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I actually like ES350s though. I had a 2002 ES300 that was bank vault solid, smooth, and quiet. I had originally set out to replace my I30 with the updated I35 and its powerhouse engine (at the time) or a 2002 TL Type-S but I was completely taken in with its quality and refinement. Somehow the new models seem a bit less so, or maybe I'm just biased, but it seems like the quality HAS taken a hit so I think the former.
In fact I had all of the old gussied up family cars. I had a leased 2000 Infiniti I30, leased 2002 ES300, and I bought the 2004 TL. (The I30 was actually totaled so I had a brief stint with a 2001 Seville STS but that's beside the point).
In fact I had all of the old gussied up family cars. I had a leased 2000 Infiniti I30, leased 2002 ES300, and I bought the 2004 TL. (The I30 was actually totaled so I had a brief stint with a 2001 Seville STS but that's beside the point).
07-17-2010, 07:01 PM
#66
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07-17-2010, 07:03 PM
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07-17-2010, 11:04 PM
#69
Chloe @ 17mo
The two that stood out to me were the updated IS350 AWD and ES350. Took them long enough to make AWD available on the 350. Now how about the manual? Manual buyers have got to be more of the 350 buyer rather than the 250 buyer.
The ES350 bit is good news, and I bet it isn't a single bit slower either. Of course now it looks even more related to the Camry on paper.
The ES350 bit is good news, and I bet it isn't a single bit slower either. Of course now it looks even more related to the Camry on paper.
07-18-2010, 02:24 AM
#70
אני עומד עם ישראל
07-18-2010, 05:03 AM
#72
07-18-2010, 10:48 AM
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07-18-2010, 11:55 AM
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Toyota consider sthe MT to only be a cost saving option, not a performance option, so they only make it available on their low-end models. From what I've read, the MT in the IS250 is not particularly good, so its exclusion from the 350 is not a big loss.
07-18-2010, 01:14 PM
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07-18-2010, 02:28 PM
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Definitely possible, although I don't think Toyota even has a high-performance 6MT in their portfolio. One of the main criticisms of the Lotus Evora is the poor performance of its Toyota-sourced 6MT that supposedly seems more at home in a stripped down Corolla than a 911 competitor.
07-18-2010, 02:42 PM
#78
07-18-2010, 04:12 PM
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Definitely possible, although I don't think Toyota even has a high-performance 6MT in their portfolio. One of the main criticisms of the Lotus Evora is the poor performance of its Toyota-sourced 6MT that supposedly seems more at home in a stripped down Corolla than a 911 competitor.
An IS350 F-Sport with better "feel" in it and a better suspension would make a strong 335i M-Sport or S4 competitor.