Lexus IS 350C by VIP Auto Salon with Trick Paint Job and a Supercharger Set for SEMA

Looking to offer enthusiasts more customization options, Lexus will bring several project cars to next week's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, including an IS 350C prepared in cooperation with VIP Auto Salon.

The Japanese car specialist started with a unique Chameleon paint job that changes color when viewed from different angles. The hardtop convertible from Lexus also gains a Seibon carbon fiber hood, an aero kit comprising of a front lip spoiler, side skirts, rear diffuser, boot lid wing, and headlamp trims.

Read more »

Video: Lexus IS-F Goes Under the Crusher in California for Street Racing? Not So Fast…

A video showing an if not brand new, a not so old Lexus IS-F V8-powered sports saloon being crushed to death is making the internet rounds today.

The person that uploaded the specific clip says that local police officers in the state of California crushed the vehicle after they confiscated it for illegal racing. We looked around on the web, but we couldn't find any information regarding this claim.

Sounds like a great story but before you rush to accept the Youtube poster's version of the incident, you may want to know that we discovered the same exact video uploaded in December of 2010, but there's no mention of the car being confiscated.

Furthermore, we also found another recent clip of a Hyundai Genesis sedan being destroyed by the same crusher (notice the background and the blue color on the metal structure).

Read more »

TRD Introduces Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sports Package Inspired by Last Year's Concept

It's been over a year since Lexus unveiled the conceptual IS F Circuit Club Sport (CCS for short) at the 2010 edition of the Tokyo Auto Salon, but Toyota's TRD division has not forgotten about the prototype model.

TRD has just made available to the public an assortment of performance and styling accessories for the latest IS-F sports saloon, all inspired by the CCS concept .

Read more »

Lexus Calls UK Buyers to Enjoy the Summer with Limited Edition IS 250C

While Britain may not be the ideal place to enjoy an open top model, Lexus is calling UK buyers to take a look at its new limited edition version of the IS 250C coupe-convertible. Exclusivity for the IS 250C Limited Edition comes in the form of a distinctive black and red semi-aniline leather interior along with a numbered badge fixed inside the glove-box. Read more »

BMW 3-Series Still Top Dog despite Strong Competition

In the ingloriously named, “small premium car segment”, the BMW 3-Series is king. A good all-rounder with sporting pretensions and cred, a nice assortment of engine and equipment options, and perhaps most importantly, a variety of body styles including a coupe and station wagon derivative that have ensured its market supremacy.

All 3-Series models are doing their bit to keep sales high. According to a study released by R.L. Polk & Co., from 2008 through this past February, the 3-Series sedan covered around 60 percent of the model's retail registrations, with the coupe, convertible and station wagon versions accounting for the rest of the sales.

Read more »

Lexus Announces 2011 IS 350C F Sport Special Edition

Lexus has unwrapped the limited run 2011 IS 350C F Sport Special Edition convertible, which is set to go on sale in the U.S. later this month. Only 175 units will be built, each carrying a $55,120 (not including $875 destination) sticker and some styling and performance upgrades over the standard model. Read more »

Lexus Issues Voluntary Recall on 245,000 GS and IS Models in the U.S.

Lexus has issued a voluntary safety recall involving some 245,000 cars in the U.S. because of a potential defect that may cause fuel leakage. The models affected by the recall include the GS300 and GS350 from the 2006-2007MY, the IS 250 from the 2006-2009MY, and the IS 350 from the 2006-2008MY.

Read more »

Lexus Tries to Lure UK Buyers with Special Edition IS Advance Models

Lexus has announced the availability of a pair of new special edition cars for the UK market called the IS 250 and IS 200d Advance. As is common with most special or limited edition models these days, the new IS cars are distinguished by the added -and not unique- features to the standard equipment. Read more »

VIDEO: Lexus Sets the Bar High, Chains Four Cars on LS in New TV Ad

In another sign that luxury automakers in the U.S. are raising the stakes -or so to speak- with their latest commercials, following Audi's recent A8 ad, Lexus has released a new TV spot as part of an advertising campaign to demonstrate how far the company goes to achieve perfection.

This particular broadcast ad is titled “Chain” and it shows a crane slowly lifting the front end of a LS, which is attached to four more Lexus models (RX, GS, ES and IS) using nothing more than cables and stretch bars. At the end of the spot, a $375,000 LFA comes into the shot and parks directly below the chain of vehicles weighing a total 21,000 pounds.

The key point here is that the commercial is real and that no special effects were used for its creation as Lexus proves in the 'Behind the Scenes" video.

Read more »

New Toyota Recall, this time for Toyota Avalon and Highlander, and Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350

Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of some 740,000 vehicles in the United States to address a potential leak problem with a seal in the brake master cylinder. The models that are being recalled in the U.S. are the 2005-2006MY Toyota Avalon, 2004-2006MY Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350. Another 600,898 vehicles were recalled in Japan and approximately 200,000 in China for the same issue.

Read more »

2011 Lexus IS-F with Torsen LSD and New Options Arrives on UK Shores

Following its introduction at last year's Frankfurt Show, the subtly revised 2011 Lexus IS-F has made its way to UK dealerships with an on-the-road price of £55,595 (that's about US$82,900 or €62,150).

For 2010, Lexus' premium sports saloon gains a new limited slip differential fitted as standard as well as new satellite navigation system, powered by a 40GB hard disc drive that also provides an on-board "sound library" function, with 10GB of disc space.

Read more »

Improved 2010 Lexus IS with New F-Sport Grade Goes on Sale in the UK

Lexus has announced the UK market launch of the 2010 model year IS sedan that brings some equipment upgrades, improvements in fuel consumption and emissions as well as the introduction of a new F-Sport grade.

Available for both IS 250 and 220d models, the new F-Sport grade takes its cue from the IS F and is positioned in the line-up between the SE-I and SE-L models. Special features include a lowered sport suspension (IS 250 only), unique 18-inch wheels and an IS F-style front grille and rear bootlid spoiler.

Read more »

Lexus Announces IS 350C F-Sport Special Edition, Priced from $58,375

First of all, before you run down to the comments section to... run us down, what you see pictured above is NOT the special edition F-Sport model but an F-Sport equipped IS350C as Lexus did not accompany the announcement on its new model with pictures.

Not that we've cleared that up, let's see what the IS 350C F-Sport special is all about. To put it briefly, it's a limited run version of the coupe-convertible IS packed with performance and styling accessories from Lexus' F-Sport accessories line as well as additional equipment that will be available only in two colors, Tungsten Pearl or Obsidian.

Read more »

Tokyo 2010: Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sport Concept

Lexus' offerings for the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon included a lightweight concept version of the firm's performance-minded sports sedan. Dubbed IS F Circuit Club Sport or CCS for short, the prototype Lexus comes in an attention-grabbing bright orange finish and more carbon fiber than a NASA warehouse.

And we're talking about a lot of carbon fiber as the lightweight material is used for the newly designed hood, rooftop, rear wing, exterior mirrors, trunk, front spoiler lips, right down to the rear diffuser.

The same material is also found on the Lexus IS F's engine cover as well as in the interior on the door panels, center and lower console, steering wheel trim, and the transmission lever.

Read more »

2009 Lexus IS Facelift Goes on Sale in the UK with Lower Prices

More often than not, when automakers perform a facelift on one of their vehicles prices tend to go up, but that logic doesn't apply on the UK market 2009 IS. Depending on the model, Lexus has cut prices between £702 and £1,057. For the 2009 IS range Lexus introduces a new three-grade structure (SE, SE-I and SE-L trims) with enhanced specifications across the board. The most important upgrade is the provision of the firm's Vehicle Integrated Dynamics Management (VDIM) as standard on all models.

In a nutshell, exterior changes on the 2009 IS concern the new front bumper with a revised grille, the door mirrors with integrated indicator lamps, the subtly restyled taillights and the newly-design 17-inch and 18-inch alloys. In the cabin the changes are limited to minor adjustments to the tone of interior upholsteries and trims and the shape of switches and graphics on the center console.

Under the skin Lexus has retuned the anti-roll bar, suspension and EPS while a paddle shift function is newly available on "D" mode in the six-speed automatic transmission.

Also, minor revisions to the IS 220d's turbo diesel engine les to the reduction of CO2 emissions from 168 to 163g/km, moving the model down a band for Vehicle Excise Duty (E to D) which means that owners saves £25 pounds on a year's road fund license.

New 2009 Lexus IS prices vs current IS prices

CURRENT IS MODEL	OTR PRICE	CUSTOMER SAVING
IS 220d	£23,192	£702
IS 220d SE	£25,842	£847
IS 220d SE-L	£27,942	£782
IS 250	£24,127	£927
IS 250 auto	£24,937	£927
IS 250 SE	£26,777	£1,057
IS 250 SE auto	£27,587	£1,057
IS 250 SE-L	£29,687	£837

Lexus to Show Off Four IS-Fs and a IS 350 with F-Sport Accessories at SEMA

Lexus is marking its return to the Las Vegas SEMA Show with a selection of four modded IS-Fs and a F-Sport accessorized IS 350. Among the four IS-Fs that have been customized by various tuners and magazines is last year's menacing Five Axis "Project IS F" that has been fortified with a new 5.8-liter V8 engine. Check out the details and pictures on the IS-Fs and the IS 350 right after the jump. -Continued

Project IS F by Five Axis

Lexus Description: Following its stunning debut in 2007, the Five Axis Project IS F went back to the shop for another makeover, this time in the engine compartment. With 416 hp on tap right out of the box, the standard IS F is no slouch. But the Project IS F concept brief included exploring the performance potential of its direct-injected 5.0-liter V8, so it now sports 5.8 liters while receiving ported and flowed cylinder heads, a new exhaust system and changes to the electronic controls. The upshot is enough power and torque to put an evil grin on even the most jaded enthusiast's face.

IS 350 with F-Sport Accessories

Lexus Description: The IS 250/350 is Lexus' entry point into the luxury sport sedan arena. It's a tuner-friendly and robust platform that responds extremely well to performance upgrades. This car is fully loaded with all the offerings from the F-Sport performance accessory catalog. It also sports a new concept ground-effects body kit designed to complement the increased performance and aggressive stance provided by the F-Sport components

IS F by Fox Marketing/Artisan Performance

Lexus Description:Fox Marketing and Artisan Performance teamed to create this subtle yet aggressive makeover of the already aggressive IS F. The subtle part involves the numerous bodywork changes, which enhance rather than rethink the lines of the IS F, making it look even more muscular in the process. 'Aggressive' can be applied to the engine which gets the full twin-turbo treatment. Fox expects the changes will yield something north of 600 horsepower.

IS F by Import Tuner Magazine/TEIN

Lexus Description: Import Tuner Magazine and TEIN suspension company put their collective heads and expertise together to create an IS F that's focused on track performance, while still remaining practical for the street. Weight reduction, added chassis stiffness, special suspension and big sticky tires take care of the corners, while a comprehensive nitrous system boosts the engine for bursts of overtaking power. Coming soon to a track near you.

IS F by 0-60 Magazine

Lexus Description: With track performance a common theme among IS F builders, 0-60 Magazine ups the ante on their IS F project with a supercharger to tease out another load of horses from the big V8. Carbon fiber body components reduce weight while lowering the center of gravity and a custom roll cage adds stiffness and protection. A beefy brakeupgrade kit was added to balance the performance equation.

IS F by MotorworldHype.com

Lexus Description: MotorworldHype has taken another path that is a bit less aggressive, yet more easily accessible for the average consumer. Lots of carbon to reduce some unwanted mass and a well-rounded package of suspension, brake, engine and cosmetic changes provide sharper responses in all directions.

Lexus Bringing GS 460 by Five Axis to SEMA Show

For its second appearance at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas Lexus has joined forces once again with tuning specialists Five Axis to prepare a tricked out GS 460 Sedan. The Japanese luxury automaker did not release any specific details, but as you can see in the teaser sketch above, the GS 460 by Five Axis will feature among other things, an aggressive bodykit with new bumpers, side sills and a set of 5-spoke alloy wheels. -Continued

Lexus SEMA booth on Tuesday, November 4 will also host the Project IS F that returns to Las Vegas with a newly (and heavily) modified V8 engine bored and stroked to 5.75 liters filling the space under the hood as well as four unique IS F project cars created by Fox Marketing/Artisan Performance, Import Tuner Magazine/TEIN Suspension, 0-60 Magazine and MotorworldHype. Lexus will also display a special LX 570 created by ICON 4x4 Design.

Lexus IS 250 Sports Concept with Performance Upgrades Debuts in Sydney

As well as introducing the revised 2009 IS line-up and the all-new IS 250C Convertible, Lexus also previewed a sports-inspired IS 250 at the 2008 Australian International Motor Show that could enter production shortly. Based on the 2008 IS 250, the Sports Concept features a number of mechanical and visual enhancements including brakes, shock absorbers, sway bars, chassis braces, air intake, clutch, short shift kit, exhaust, 19-inch wheels, engine cover and spoilers. -Continued

More specifically, Lexus improved the IS 250's stopping power with a braking package that features six-piston callipers at the front and four-piston at rear as well as larger cross-drilled, two-piece brake rotors at front and rear. Suspension upgrades include the addition of Bilstein shock absorbers and springs while Body roll and chassis flex is further reduced with the adoption of sway bars and a chassis brace.

Under the bonnet, the IS 250 Sport Concept receives a performance air intake, which according to Lexus, results in a three per cent power increase while a stainless steel "cat-back" exhaust system deliver a further increase of 1.5 per cent meaning that the 2.5-liter V6 engine should produce about 213HP.

The manual gearbox receives a short shift kit, resulting in a 35 per cent reduction in fore and aft gearshift movement while a performance clutch delivers a 16 per cent increase in clamping force. Finally, the Sport Concept features a carbon-fibre engine cover, front and rear lip spoilers and lightweight graphite grey, 10-spoke, 19-inch forged aluminium wheels.

Lexus chief executive John Roca said the performance accessories fitted to IS 250 Sports Concept were currently under consideration for Australia. "The introduction of the IS 250 Sports Concept is still in preliminary stages but it's something we definitely want to investigate," Mr Roca said.

"The addition of the performance enhancements to the IS range would assist in attracting younger buyers to the Lexus brand - and give Lexus a vehicle that aspiring IS F customers could step into. In the meantime, Lexus will concentrate on introducing the IS F performance sedan to the local market. Once we get the hero car into the marketplace, the rest will fall into place," he added.

Lexus IS 250C Convertible Raises the Heat in Sydney

We can't quite put our finger on it, but there was something scorching hot about the Lexus IS 250C Coupe Convertible that made its Asia-Pacific premier at the 2008 Australian International Motorshow in Sydney motorshow about a week after its Paris debut. Perhaps it was the lighting or the fiery color of Lexus' hardtop convertible - we're not sure. Hit the jump below to check out our extensive gallery of the IS 250C and... Cheyenne Tozzi -20 y.o. and 5.10'' / 1.78m in case you're wondering, or click here for more details on the car (yeah right). -Continued