CarMad Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Well these pictures look interesting and so are the potential specs of what could be the Lexus IS500. No idea if it will come to the UK or if it will be made. Its certainly been seen going round the ring plenty and its meant to sound great. Specs - IS500: a V8 (2UR-FSE) engine that develops 420bhp (at 5800rpm) and 550Nm of torque (at 3800rpm), 5.0L displacement Article from Nihon Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Well it looks a bit like a cross between a BMW and an Audi. BBS alloys. Whether we like it or not, the badge on a car makes a difference to many people. Didn't Lexus try to break into the BMW/Merc limo market (unsuccessfully)?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torino101 Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Looks pretty sweet - good to see the German Uber coupes / saloons getting a bit of competition from the Far Eastern markets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted August 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Didn't Lexus try to break into the BMW/Merc limo market (unsuccessfully)?? [/ QUOTE ] Well if you call selling more luxury cars in the US than BMW and Mercedes put together unsuccessful you have pretty hard targets. Globally Lexus have sales figures to match any of the major luxury brands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 I think it looks good, and if it has the lexus service to go with it, then i think it will go really well. And it's nice to see a Jap firm not resorting to turbo-charging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Autoexpress had this in as well, but performace fihures from Lexus ain't that hot; 0-62 in 5.9 secs? That can't be right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted August 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 That can't be right at all. The IS350 with 306bhp in the US already does 0-60 in 5.3 seconds a fastest in class time... so this would have to be in the 4s easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Didn't Lexus try to break into the BMW/Merc limo market (unsuccessfully)?? [/ QUOTE ] Thanks for that Robin. I laughed so hard I think I weed a bit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Looks good! Hope it is going to make the right sounds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Is it RWD? Aren't they playing about with AWD on some models? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 I imagine it'll certainly sell more and be more credible than the Cadillac CTS-V. Not that the Cadillac is a poor car, just doesn't ever seem to have sold well in the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted August 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Don't know what it will be but yes the IS250 has the option of AWD in the US. The IS350 is RWD only AFAIK. Car is expected to be Sub £40k. Hope it comes out in the UK and they launch the IS350 as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 I dont know what it is but I just dont like the look of it. Does the styling now look dated? Cant put my finger on it but it just doesn't excite me at all. Maybe I just cant think of Lexus in that way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted August 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 I'm biased but I don't think it looks dated at all. It looks far far more fresh that a current 3 Series except maybe the wing mirrors. Interior is also better to boot. Think you just want the badge Wupps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Didn't Lexus try to break into the BMW/Merc limo market (unsuccessfully)?? [/ QUOTE ] Thanks for that Robin. I laughed so hard I think I weed a bit! [/ QUOTE ] ....Whatever turns you on, garcon . I'm always glad to make someone laugh and even more if they wet their pants. Ooops! We're not in the LoJ. I take it that I'm wrong about Lexus's unsuccessful attempts - Not unusual for me to be wrong about something occasionally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Well I guess in UK terms it's a matter of opinion. Lexus don't sell nearly as many units in the UK as BMW, Merc or Audi, but Lexus owners are by far the happiest of the lot. Which says a great deal about the product and standards of customer service. I just wish they had some semblance of sportiness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I'm biased but I don't think it looks dated at all. It looks far far more fresh that a current 3 Series except maybe the wing mirrors. Interior is also better to boot. Think you just want the badge Wupps. [/ QUOTE ] I dont think it has anything to do with the badge... Id far rather drive about in a nice Skoda than a low powered boat of a 3 series. However the Lexus just to me looks a bit boring... Dont know why I dont like it... But I dont Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Specs - IS500: a V8 (2UR-FSE) engine that develops 420bhp (at 5800rpm) and 550Nm of torque (at 3800rpm), 5.0L displacement [/ QUOTE ] Fantastic spec engine, but looks about as sporty as Dawn French in Wellies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Maybe thats it, apart from the big wheels and quad pipes it looks exactly the same as any other Lexus... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 I've not gone into it in any depth but my perception of Lexus is that they represent very good value for money (as most Jap cars). But, this new Lexus as posted won't have an engine up to the standard of a BMW and won't have the liquid smooth body styling of the Audi, or quattro. The Lexus might have a better ride quality than the S4 on rougher surfaces (not difficult!!). I know that John_Carter won't agree but the S4 is seriously bad imo on rough road surfaces and I'm not talking dirt roads. This Lexus is going to have to be V8 to even stand a chance in that market, surely? EDIT: Just seen posted that it is a V8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted August 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Oh I do find it funny the way people view a Lexus. I see Flared arches don't get them on an S4, you get quad exhausts, S4 only just got that, Nice sized alloys, rear wheel drive a more sporting option, nice little boot spoiler aka, M3 / S4. But no its not sporty. Some people are only ever Audi or BMW and nothing else exists despite how boring or badly the new ones look. I just don't get it I really don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssFour Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Well these pictures look interesting and so are the potential specs of what could be the Lexus IS500. No idea if it will come to the UK or if it will be made. Its certainly been seen going round the ring plenty and its meant to sound great. Specs - IS500: a V8 (2UR-FSE) engine that develops 420bhp (at 5800rpm) and 550Nm of torque (at 3800rpm), 5.0L displacement [/ QUOTE ] IMO Lexus have a bit of an image problem. Whenever I see one the first that springs to mind is "where are my slippers" This is supposed to be their sporty version but...Nope. No warm feelings. They do shift more units in the snakes compared to the germans for two fundamental reasons 1. Germans cars snakesides are expensive compared to japanese cars. 2. Have you ever driven an american car...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Im not calling it rubbish, after all that is obviously just a chop. If the car does come out and it is a real rival then of course it would be considered. Just from that picture I just prefer the look of the new M3. I would also be worried about what sort of gear box they would put on the car. As far as I know Lexus only do Auto's. I wouldn't want one of those, and if they do go down the flappy paddle route, I doubt it would be as good as the SMG. BMW have made fantastic M3's for god knows how long. Id be slightly worried that a new Luxury car manufacture comes in and thinks it can copy the formula and make something as good. Tesco Coke just aint the same as Coca Cola... But of course I could be wrong and it could be fantastic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woppum Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 Also 420bhp at 5800rpm... Sounds like a desiel to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 I'm not criticising when I write this: The great majority of Audi drivers particularly like the fact that Audis (generally) look stealthy and not especially aggressive or sporty. Consequently they aren't usually so keen on a sportier looking car (for themselves to own). Truly excellent as the higher performing Audis are, it's exactly their bland appearance that doesn't appeal to me personally with regards actually buying one. I'm just being honest about my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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