Author Topic: A new Lexus 'F' - as in 'faaast' (Read 9856 times)

articsteve · « **on:** December 04, 2006, 01:48:02 am »

Automotive News:

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 Corp. 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.

More the merrier.

Mitlov · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2006, 02:31:26 am »

That IS is going to be massacred by the M3 unless they equip it with (1) a manual transmission, and (2) a shut-off switch for for the electronic nannies (or alternatively, far less agressive electronic nannies). I could see Lexus competing with the auto-tranny-only AMG cars (which are more about straight-line speed and prestige than true sportiness, in my opinion), but not the BMW M cars.

Then again, I've always seen Lexus as aimed more at MB to begin with. I'd say the only Japanese marque to truly take on BMW head-on is Infiniti.

wing · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2006, 07:55:30 am »

The IS350 allows you to switch off those nannies completely I don't see why this version wouldn't.

UmroAyyar · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2006, 08:31:41 am »

Is this the much rumoured IS500?

ghost · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2006, 11:54:19 am »

and i thought it's the return of the Supra....

Mitlov · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2006, 12:32:14 pm »

Quote from: wing on December 04, 2006, 07:55:30 am

The IS350 allows you to switch off those nannies completely I don't see why this version wouldn't.

To my knowledge, the IS only allows you to turn off the nannies by doing an extended pattern of button-and-pedal-pushing reminiscent of a Nintendo cheat code. And like a cheat code, an owner only finds out about it by searching the internet. You also can't do it while the vehicle is in motion. The TSX has a clearly labeled "VSA off" button that you can press while you're driving (say, when you get to the twisty road). The latter is what I'm talking about.

wing · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2006, 12:52:15 pm »

Read my blog Mitlov.

Pushing the button and holding for awhile turns off the nannies. I don't remember if I was moving but actually I think I may have been. There is a TC Off one touch turns the TC off, hold it and the VSA turns off.

The donuts after donuts I did in the parking lot by my house are proof

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2006, 01:29:33 pm »

"Fast" sounds simple, but more in-line with a muscle-car moniker or something stripped. Doesn't sound very upscale, luxurious, or exclusive to me. The car likely will blend both very well.

airbalancer · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2006, 03:51:26 pm »

Quote from: wing on December 04, 2006, 12:52:15 pm

The donuts after donuts I did in the parking lot by my house are proof

Did the Fuzz help you with the donuts

Iso Octane · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2006, 04:13:48 pm »

This is certainly a milestone. The first Japanese luxury marque to go up against the //S', ///M's, and //////AMGs of Europe. Specifically Germany.

It's gonna be interesting.

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2006, 05:22:19 pm »

Quote from: Mitlov on December 04, 2006, 02:31:26 am

That IS is going to be massacred by the M3 unless they equip it with (1) a manual transmission, and (2) a shut-off switch for for the electronic nannies (or alternatively, far less agressive electronic nannies). I could see Lexus competing with the auto-tranny-only AMG cars (which are more about straight-line speed and prestige than true sportiness, in my opinion), but not the BMW M cars.

Then again, I've always seen Lexus as aimed more at MB to begin with. I'd say the only Japanese marque to truly take on BMW head-on is Infiniti.

I agree. Great competition for the AMG division, but still nothing on M Power. But then, Lexus seems to have Mercedes in its sights more than BMW - if they were really targetting BMW, they would have offered a manual in the IS350.

And am I the only one disappointed by how lame "F" sounds?

johngenx · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2006, 05:42:09 pm »

Quote from: Demosthenes X on December 04, 2006, 05:22:19 pm

And am I the only one disappointed by how lame "F" sounds?

They should just go with "Type R." I've seen lots of old Corollas with that emblem on it...

sirAQUAMAN64 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2006, 05:47:21 pm »

Quote from: Demosthenes X on December 04, 2006, 05:22:19 pm

And am I the only one disappointed by how lame "F" sounds?

No, you're not the only one.

From the VW GTI ad: "You (Lexus) got an 'F' "

Mitlov · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2006, 09:34:42 pm »

Quote from: wing on December 04, 2006, 12:52:15 pm

Read my blog Mitlov.

Pushing the button and holding for awhile turns off the nannies. I don't remember if I was moving but actually I think I may have been. There is a TC Off one touch turns the TC off, hold it and the VSA turns off.

The donuts after donuts I did in the parking lot by my house are proof

Here we go: the IS lacked the switch for 2006, but after a landslide of complaints, they added it for 2007:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_IS

Quote

However, prevailing criticisms are that its steering is not as communicative as that of the BMW 3 Series [1], its stability and traction control systems could not be fully disabled, and that the higher-performance IS 350 is only offered with an automatic transmission. In response to these criticisms, Lexus added a stability/traction control disable switch for 2007 IS models.

For 2006 IS models, the stability control system/traction control system can be disabled through non-conventional methods by using a code during engine start. This involves starting the car with the parking brake engaged, releasing the parking brake, pushing the brake pedal twice, holding it on the second push, engaging the parking brake twice, holding it on the second, and repeating until the vehicle traction light appears on the dash. This will effectively disable the system until the car is turned off.

wing · « **Reply #14 on:** December 04, 2006, 09:44:58 pm »

Yes I know it did in 2006, but that is the past

The '07 certainly let me go hog wild.

Mitlov · « **Reply #15 on:** December 04, 2006, 10:09:06 pm »

Quote from: wing on December 04, 2006, 09:44:58 pm

Yes I know it did in 2006, but that is the past The '07 certainly let me go hog wild.

I know it's the past and the past doesn't matter that much, but, I was just explaining why I made the mistake. I remembered the fights about it when the IS was first released, but I hadn't heard about the change for 2007.

I wonder how much hate mail Lexus would have to receive before they dropped a manual in the IS350?

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #16 on:** December 05, 2006, 12:49:33 am »

Is that a challenge?

Mitlov · « **Reply #17 on:** December 05, 2006, 01:54:24 am »

Quote from: Demosthenes X on December 05, 2006, 12:49:33 am

Is that a challenge?

Yes. Ladies and gentlemen, start your keyboards!

When they offer an IS350 with a manual transmission and premium cloth seating, they'll have a customer here. But not until then (and I know I'd be one of maybe two dozen in North America who would want that particular setup, so it would never happen).

speed12sil · « **Reply #18 on:** December 05, 2006, 02:37:48 am »

There's a bigger chance of getting a manual in the IS350 than getting premium cloth. Besides, when ppl are shelling out >60k out the door for these cars I don't think they would want to have cloth. Cloth just look out of place in something that cost that much. At the minimum, leather, if not alcantara...

haris · « **Reply #19 on:** December 05, 2006, 09:01:42 am »

Considering that BMW didn't offer manual on the latest M5 and is only do so as an afterthought for North American market, I really don't think lack of manual will cost Lexus any sales.