Lexus IS500

[Raghavan]

So you like your IS350 do you? Well, if you thought that was good, you ain?t seen nothin? yet! According to the latest industry buzz, it is looking increasingly likely that Lexus WILL produce a BMW M3 competitor next year. Parent company Toyota has seen not only the ?halo effect? that top-of-the-line performance cars have created for other luxury manufacturer?s ranges, but also the ?bottom line? effect achieved through increased sales. BMW?s ?M? models offer much higher margins, as well as accounting for a growing percentage of total model sales. In truth, this is a model variant that Lexus has to offer to be credible versus its German competitors, so the question is not if but when?
Expected to debut at several North American and European auto shows during 2007, the IS500 should be in showrooms by Fall 2007 as a 2008 model year car. It should arrive just in time to spoil the next M3?s launch party and will be the car Lexus uses to tell BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz that it is now playing leap-frog instead of catch-up.
Precise details of the new car are still a closely-guarded secret, but since Lexus Europe has been a little more forthcoming to European journalists on this subject than Lexus USA, we?ve got the inside track on what to expect. Firstly, the IS500 will have Lexus? all-new 5.0 liter V8 direct injection engine (2UR-FSE). This engine was previewed in the forthcoming LS600h, but will be used in the IS500 without the former?s hybrid components. With a lengthened stroke, it is expected to develop in excess of 400 bhp to put it ahead of both the new M3 and Audi?s red hot RS4. We don?t know whether the IS500 will share the AWD drivetrain of the LS600h, but it?s possible. We suspect that Lexus will prefer to appeal to hard-core audiences and deliver a convincing rear-wheel drive layout.
What is beyond doubt is that the IS500 will combine luxury car credentials with focused sports car handling. Numbers like 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds and a governed top speed of 155 mph do not tell the whole story. A highly tuned chassis with revised suspension components and firmer damping will ensure gum-on-carpet levels of grip and an enviable degree of ride compliance. The steering will be sharper and more direct. Up-rated brakes, which will include a ceramic disc option, will also be fitted. And while an up-dated VDIM will naturally be included to make the IS500?s power usable and controllable, we expect two settings: ?ROAD will allow full intervention in all situations, while ?TRACK? will retard intervention allowing drift addicts to slide the car around corners. It isn?t clear whether you?ll able to switch VDIM off, but given Lexus? conservative take on safety, we think this unlikely hence the dual settings. In other words, you?ll be able to do just about anything in this car ? except to lose control.
Have cries for a manual gearbox fallen on deaf ears? A 6-speed manual transmission makes sense for the IS500, given that it will be a specialist, almost hand-built premium model. However, this isn?t an option that Lexus expects many owners to choose, because a new semi-automatic box should offer even faster changes. Rumor has it that the same advanced Magneti Marelli unit selected for the Lexus GT500 (and used in Ferrari?s top models) will also feature in the IS500. This highly sophisticated paddle-shift box will allow individual gears to be held until the driver chooses to change up or down, allowing you to relish the wail of the engine. We are reliably informed that the engine delivers effortless power calmly and quietly below 3,000 rpm. Thereafter, variable valve timing produces a Jeckyll and Hyde transformation in engine character. All hell breaks loose and the sound should be enough to curdle the blood of the most hard-bitten vampire.
Prototypes observed testing on Europe?s infamous Nurburgring have achieved lap times close to the magic 8 minute mark and below times set by both current RS4 and M3 models. Partly aided by a sleeker aerodynamic shape, the IS500?s faster performance is attributable to a truly sublime engine and ride and handling optimized with the help of Toyota?s F1 team.
The big unanswered question is what body styles the new IS500 will be offered in. Initially, we expect a 4-door sedan, but since other new IS body styles or are on the horizon, it is reasonable to expect a 2-door coupe version too. As far as the exterior styling is concerned, we have been advised to expect only subtle aerodynamic improvements, not radically changed or overtly aggressive body kits. The car will sit on standard 19? alloys.
Another significant tidbit is that the IS500 should retail at a price close to $60,000, which should undercut both the next M3 and Audi RS4 models by a worthwhile margin. If the price alone doesn?t guarantee the IS500?s success, the fact that Lexus is staking its reputation on making this car as close to dynamic perfection as the laws of physics permit shouldn?t damage its chances of doing well either.


Lol. I don't think Lexus has realized that most enthusiast still want a manual. As usual, it'll probably have  numb steering feedback and more luxury than sport tuned suspension. We'll see.

[Raza]

It won't touch cars like the M3 (based on the current car), the RS4, or S4, though this could be a problem for the C55.

Alas, another crappy sport sedan with too much power.

[Raghavan]

The least they could've done is to put a 6 speed manual in there.... BLAH.

[SJ_GTI]

Sounds like they are chasing MB (AMG) more than BMW (M) or Audi (RS).

I've yet to drive and automatic with "paddle shifters" that can match Audi's DSG or even BMW's SMG I, much less BMW's SMG II or SMG III. If Lexus really wants to chase BMW/Audi they are going to need a 6MT or a real sequential manual at some point. But...given my test drive of the IS250 I think Lexus is more interested in Luxury than sport anyway. Given their success in the market I can't blame them.

[Colonel Cadillac]

It doesn't even SOUND fast. I assume it will do well, but thus far it does not appeal to me.  

[giant_mtb]

Heyyyy where'd ya get this from, you muffin?

[ifcar]

IS500 doesn't make sense, why wouldn't they use the new 4.6-liter?

[Raghavan]

Heyyyy where'd ya get this from, you muffin?

Some IS trollsite i think.  

[JYODER240]

Sounds like its going to be a tool used to go fast rather than a unique and exciting driving experience.

[Raza]

Sounds like its going to be a tool used to go fast rather than a unique and exciting driving experience.

What isn't these days?  

[JYODER240]

Sounds like its going to be a tool used to go fast rather than a unique and exciting driving experience.

What isn't these days?

911 GT3, maybe an MX-5, .... still thinking...

[Raza]

Sounds like its going to be a tool used to go fast rather than a unique and exciting driving experience.

What isn't these days?

911 GT3, maybe an MX-5, .... still thinking...

Maybe the GT3, probably the GT3 RS, but what constitutes unique?  Don't get me wrong there are plenty of brilliant cars out there, but the auto industry is in its own Tale of Two Cities at the moment.  It's simultaneously the best and the worst time to buy a car.  Cars are better and worse than they ever have been, particularly sports cars (though your standard family car seems to have been exponentially increasing in quality, with no real backlash).  This power obsession coupled with the safety Nazism is what's killing the industry, in my opinion.  

As I said, the IS500 is another crappy car with too much power.

[TurboDan]

WHY would anyone buy this car?  The IS seems like it's aimed at the "I just graduated from college and want a Lexus" crowd.  People who want performance will buy an M3.  Who wants to deal with paddle shifters?  

[SJ_GTI]

Who wants to deal with paddle shifters?

What are you talking about?!? Everyone wants to drive cars with "F1 inspired" paddle shifters.    

[JYODER240]

WHY would anyone buy this car?  The IS seems like it's aimed at the "I just graduated from college and want a Lexus" crowd.  People who want performance will buy an M3.  Who wants to deal with paddle shifters?

Sadly there is just as many from the "I just graduated from college and want a BMW" crowd. Hence why even our performance cars have SMG transmissions, stability controls that wont go away, and weigh too much because of the increase in sound deadening material, electronics,etc.

[850CSi]

Who wants to deal with paddle shifters?

Does anyone know what percentage of M3s sell with SMG?

[Raza]

Who wants to deal with paddle shifters?

Does anyone know what percentage of M3s sell with SMG?

My guess is slightly less than the percentage that the exotics are sold, around 80-85%.

[Champ]

Who wants to deal with paddle shifters?

Does anyone know what percentage of M3s sell with SMG?

My guess is slightly less than the percentage that the exotics are sold, around 80-85%.

Every M3 I have parked has had MT, never parked one with a SMG.  Not numbers but something.  You would figure if the SMG is 80-85% I would have seen at least one.

[JYODER240]

Of the M3's I have seen its about a 50/50 split.

[omicron]

Lexus IS500  <_<
Audi RS4    

[JYODER240]

Lexus IS500  <_<
Audi RS4  

I would think the IS500 would be priced closer to the S4, either way I'd still take the Audi.

[cawimmer430]

I'm too lazy to repeat myself, but what I said on C&D is this:

1) Lexus to me isn't aiming for BMW but MB
2) The IS tries to blend comfort and sport, like the C-Class and unlike the 3-series, which is totally sports biased

3) Why do people assume that every car in this segment "tries to topple the BMW 3-Series". Chrysler is apparently coming out with a car in this class. Immediately, Autospies is bragging about this being a 3-series rival...  The only cars in this class which really make an effort to attack the 3-series IMO is the Infiniti G. That's it. Lexus IS, MB C-Class, Audi A4 etc. all have their own target markets...

[omicron]

I'd say that buyers of a 3-Series, IS, A4 or C-Class are much similar than their manufacturers would like to think.  

[ifcar]

I agree. They're all the cheapest way (not counting the A3) to get into a premium brand. I'll bet more decisions between them are made based on style than based on what the buyers are actually looking for in terms of ride versus handling.

[cawimmer430]

The least they could've done is to put a 6 speed manual in there.... BLAH.

Lexus knows their customers. Just because 100 guys on the C&D forums demand a manual, Lexus won't offer one because in the US, there will be 1,000,000 buyers who want an automatic.

I don't think we should complain since I've never bought this "Lexus IS is a 3-Series rival" hype. I've never driven one, but I've read enough to form an opinion about the IS. To me, it seems like it's still biased towards cruising and luxury while blending in some sport in it. The IS seems more similar to the C-Class in philosophy. Just because it has a big V8 doesn't make it a sports sedan. And IMO, Lexus should cut the hype about the IS being a 3-Series rival when it seems to be more of a C-Class rival.

Mercedes offers a 6-speed on the C350, yet I've not seen many. Then, once you try to sell it... GOOD LUCK. The lack of an A/T is turn-off to the buyers of these cars. When I worked for the dealer, there was a used R170 SLK320 6-speed on the lot. There were many folks interested in it. It was well stocked, had low mileage and an appealing price. Yet, after checking it out, people lost interest. I asked the salesman in charge why and he confessed, "it's the 6-speed".

Bottom line is that the people who buy these cars are not driving enthusiasts but want a luxury car. With luxury comes an automatic transmission. In fact, with luxury cars, the bigger and more powerful the engine, the greater the expectation that it is offered with an automatic. At least, this is the philosophy of Mercedes and Lexus, Audi and maybe even Infiniti and Acura.

[cawimmer430]

I'd say that buyers of a 3-Series, IS, A4 or C-Class are much similar than their manufacturers would like to think.

Perhaps in some aspects, but every car in this class will offer their makers philosophy.

In BMW's case, the 3-series will be sporty, less comfortable. The current C-Class is 50% comfort and 50% sport, admitedly not very Mercedes in terms of philosophy but with changing times, cars change too. Still, the C-Class is still a cruiser at heart and IMHO has never tried to topple the 3-Series. The Lexus IS to me isn't a 3-Series rival at all in terms of sport. The IS and C-Class are way to similar in what they offer from a driving POV, especially the US-spec C-Class.

[omicron]

I'd say that buyers of a 3-Series, IS, A4 or C-Class are much similar than their manufacturers would like to think.

Perhaps in some aspects, but every car in this class will offer their makers philosophy.

In BMW's case, the 3-series will be sporty, less comfortable. The current C-Class is 50% comfort and 50% sport, admitedly not very Mercedes in terms of philosophy but with changing times, cars change too. Still, the C-Class is still a cruiser at heart and IMHO has never tried to topple the 3-Series. The Lexus IS to me isn't a 3-Series rival at all in terms of sport. The IS and C-Class are way to similar in what they offer from a driving POV, especially the US-spec C-Class.

They certainly different cars but I suspect that most buyers of all of them would say more or less the same things about their brand - you'd probably get just as many saying 'luxury' about BMW as you would the Lexus; similarly, the same number of IS buyers as 3-series ones would call their car 'sporty'.

Irrespective of how wrong they might be    

[Raghavan]

The least they could've done is to put a 6 speed manual in there.... BLAH.

Lexus knows their customers. Just because 100 guys on the C&D forums demand a manual, Lexus won't offer one because in the US, there will be 1,000,000 buyers who want an automatic.

I don't think we should complain since I've never bought this "Lexus IS is a 3-Series rival" hype. I've never driven one, but I've read enough to form an opinion about the IS. To me, it seems like it's still biased towards cruising and luxury while blending in some sport in it. The IS seems more similar to the C-Class in philosophy. Just because it has a big V8 doesn't make it a sports sedan. And IMO, Lexus should cut the hype about the IS being a 3-Series rival when it seems to be more of a C-Class rival.

Mercedes offers a 6-speed on the C350, yet I've not seen many. Then, once you try to sell it... GOOD LUCK. The lack of an A/T is turn-off to the buyers of these cars. When I worked for the dealer, there was a used R170 SLK320 6-speed on the lot. There were many folks interested in it. It was well stocked, had low mileage and an appealing price. Yet, after checking it out, people lost interest. I asked the salesman in charge why and he confessed, "it's the 6-speed".

Bottom line is that the people who buy these cars are not driving enthusiasts but want a luxury car. With luxury comes an automatic transmission. In fact, with luxury cars, the bigger and more powerful the engine, the greater the expectation that it is offered with an automatic. At least, this is the philosophy of Mercedes and Lexus, Audi and maybe even Infiniti and Acura.

So why does BMW have manuals on every single variant of the 3,Z,5, and 6 seiries?

[MrEddy]

Lexus knows their customers. Just because 100 guys on the C&D forums demand a manual, Lexus won't offer one because in the US, there will be 1,000,000 buyers who want an automatic.

...snip...

Mercedes offers a 6-speed on the C350, yet I've not seen many. Then, once you try to sell it... GOOD LUCK. The lack of an A/T is turn-off to the buyers of these cars. When I worked for the dealer, there was a used R170 SLK320 6-speed on the lot. There were many folks interested in it. It was well stocked, had low mileage and an appealing price. Yet, after checking it out, people lost interest. I asked the salesman in charge why and he confessed, "it's the 6-speed".

Bottom line is that the people who buy these cars are not driving enthusiasts but want a luxury car. With luxury comes an automatic transmission. In fact, with luxury cars, the bigger and more powerful the engine, the greater the expectation that it is offered with an automatic. At least, this is the philosophy of Mercedes and Lexus, Audi and maybe even Infiniti and Acura.

You're probably right, especially about selling the car afterwards. But I think you're also too easily dismissing the number of people who are interested in manuals. It's certainly not just 100 C&D forum members who want to drive cars rather than point them. And it's not just a handful of magazine reviewers either. In the end, it just means that people like me will never buy a Mercedes. Or a Lexus. No big deal.

[cawimmer430]

I'd say that buyers of a 3-Series, IS, A4 or C-Class are much similar than their manufacturers would like to think.

Perhaps in some aspects, but every car in this class will offer their makers philosophy.

In BMW's case, the 3-series will be sporty, less comfortable. The current C-Class is 50% comfort and 50% sport, admitedly not very Mercedes in terms of philosophy but with changing times, cars change too. Still, the C-Class is still a cruiser at heart and IMHO has never tried to topple the 3-Series. The Lexus IS to me isn't a 3-Series rival at all in terms of sport. The IS and C-Class are way to similar in what they offer from a driving POV, especially the US-spec C-Class.

They certainly different cars but I suspect that most buyers of all of them would say more or less the same things about their brand - you'd probably get just as many saying 'luxury' about BMW as you would the Lexus; similarly, the same number of IS buyers as 3-series ones would call their car 'sporty'.

Irrespective of how wrong they might be  

Ah, "those people". We call them POSERS. People with no clue about cars.    :P