R&T: Lexus IS500 - M3 Killer

scionlife · Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 4137 Location: scionlife.com

OK guys, on page 57 of the latest Road & Track magazine is a photo and article about a new Lexus coupe that will be pitted directly against the M3. Here ya go, I have to hand-type this whole thing. Grrrr...

Quote: A 2-Door Lexus IS, badly camouflaged as a 4-door, was spotted lapping the Nurburgring late last year. Upon closer examination, we also noticed a large rear spoiler and quad stainless-steel exhaust tips. When we asked the folks at Toyota about the car, the answer was, "No comment."

Since then, we've been able to deduce that this 2-door IS is being created to go straight up against the BMW M3. And because the M3 switches to V8 power soon, it's only natural for the world's most profitable car company to also cram a V8 into its machine. But we hear that Toyota intends to do more than just keep pace with the M3; according to our sources, the Nagoya-based company plans to equip the IS coupe with a 5.0-liter V8, the one it's currently developing for the Supra. If that is the case, we can expect output somewhere near 400 bhp -- detuned slightly from teh Supra's version, but more than enough to put the M3 away in a straight line. Naturally, the name of the car would then become "IS500."

The overall suspension would stay the same -- double wishbones with high-mount upper arms up front, and a multilink setup at rear. Let's hope that Toyota has enough sense to equip the car with a manual transmission or "real" semi-automatic. The car's 0-60 times should be near 5.0 seconds.

The IS500 could make an appearance as soon as late this year. If so, expect it to be priced between $50,000 and $60,000.

Pick up a Road & Track at your local newsstand or head to www.roadandtrack.com

Kurenai · Joined: 26 Nov 2004 Posts: 350 Location: PA

pfft, I hope they arent serious :yawn:

and those exhaust pipes are ugly

hunterUnknown · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 1327 Location: Las Vegas, NV

i think that'd be pretty cool. and i like the exhausts :D

it better have a serious suspension for once.

titolito · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 243 Location: San Francisco, CA

Me likey! Except I would never get one until I own my own real estate first. I'll stick with my $16K tC for now!

TimmyT · Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 1249 Location: Sanger, CA

Its nice. But the M3 has an awesome suspension. For the "IS500" to truely compete with the M3 they'll need more than just a v8 and a faster straight line to compete. Especially with a 50 to 60,000 pricetag.

TrafficinLA · Joined: 07 May 2004 Posts: 570 Location: Riverside/IE

Look! A tC with IS taillight cluster! :P

TcDepo · Joined: 01 Feb 2006 Posts: 185

its def not gonna b faster then the new M3 thats comin out...its gonna have 400plushp...M3 is a ridicoulous track car

ricexizxgood · Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 1936 Location: San Francisco, CA

Hmm this is gonna be interesting

scionlifeguy · Joined: 16 Apr 2003 Posts: 407 Location: scionlife.com

I can definitely see some styling similarities between this Lexus and the new Bimmers, especially in the trunk. They definitely have BMW in their sights with their redesigned line-up. Hmm, BMW w/ hybrid anyone?

terra_tC · Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Posts: 393 Location: Medina, OH

its about time toyota is stepping up to the plate...i bet this is gonna be hot, i cant wait to see the supra either

Eiso · Joined: 19 Feb 2005 Posts: 990 Location: Houston, TX

Cant wait to see it! I'm already loving the new Lexus IS350. IS500 will be a thill!

blueboxerxb · Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 43

I want both of them

Charade_Detomasso · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 227

Edmunds Inside line reported this story months ago, and Indicated that the 5.0 V8 would have more like 450 hp. With lexus' soon to be released 4.6 pushing 380hp already, i'd be inclined to agree

TcDepo · Joined: 01 Feb 2006 Posts: 185

This BMW M3 is presumed to be putting down approximately 400 horsepower turbocharged 4.0 L V8 motor, applied to the ground with the help of an SMG transmission. That's a lot of horsepower for BMW's lightest M series car. It is anticipated that the 2007 BMW M3 will have a few extras thrown in to help it compete with the likes of Audi, other luxury sports car makers.

The 2007 M3 is going to need all the gadgets that BMW can throw at it to compete with the Audi RS4's 420 horsepower and 317 ft/lbs of torque. Who will wear the crown for best selling luxury sports car.

Charade_Detomasso · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 227

IF Lexus put its mind to it, it can be the best.....I doubt it'd go down that road though.

YourNameHere · Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 6491

*yawn*
i have been a fan of german cars my whole life. current japanese cars have no character (minus the xB, which is why im getting one). here is lexus top of the line BMW killer.....and it looks like every other car they make. i dont care if it out perform the BMW and Audi in every messurable catagory its boring to look at.

Short_Bus · Joined: 07 Nov 2004 Posts: 525 Location: Maryland

wow that is a bad azz car!

DJ_X_Trodinaire · Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Posts: 3445

time to save up?

MightyHalo · Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Posts: 106 Location: Orange, CA

The BMW & AUDI have speed and performance and that "special car" look to them....Lexus in my opinion will allways look plain, even though they have really nice cars and could perform well to compete...but...for my dollars...if I want a "hot rod" ...I want it to look like a hot rod too..

BlkCherrytC · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 20

TcDepo wrote:

This BMW M3 is presumed to be putting down approximately 400 horsepower turbocharged 4.0 L V8 motor, applied to the ground with the help of an SMG transmission. That's a lot of horsepower for BMW's lightest M series car. It is anticipated that the 2007 BMW M3 will have a few extras thrown in to help it compete with the likes of Audi, other luxury sports car makers.

The 2007 M3 is going to need all the gadgets that BMW can throw at it to compete with the Audi RS4's 420 horsepower and 317 ft/lbs of torque. Who will wear the crown for best selling luxury sports car.

The new BMW M3 will have an V-8 and it's somewhat the same V-8 that was used for the old M5, maybe more redefined but basically the same V8. But like Hondas BMW usually don't use force inductions for their engines so I highly doubt you'll see a turbocharged engine in the M3.

On a different note I usually don't like Audis, but that RS4 is one bad aZZZ mofo. I saw one on Top Gear and I have to say that both Lexus and BMW will need to be on top of their game to beat that bit-ch.