Lexus IS convertible, saw one in person (no pics)
05-11-09, 12:44 PM
#32
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I agree, the ISc is somewhat disappointing styling-wise compared the 3c, although the ISc is not *as bad* as the HS.
As for the G37c, I'm sorry but it does NOT look way better than the ISc, or put it to shame. I've now seen both the G37c and ISc in person, and the G37c looks at best, a bit better than the ISc. As SICK mentioned, the G37c in person looks like a giant SC430.
The 3 Series convertible still remains the best in terms of hard-top coupe styling in this segment.
As for the G37c, I'm sorry but it does NOT look way better than the ISc, or put it to shame. I've now seen both the G37c and ISc in person, and the G37c looks at best, a bit better than the ISc. As SICK mentioned, the G37c in person looks like a giant SC430.
The 3 Series convertible still remains the best in terms of hard-top coupe styling in this segment.
05-11-09, 02:07 PM
#34
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All I have to say is that the next-gen IS needs to be a knockout, just like the next-gen GS. In fact Lexus needs to really step it up with all of their future models. If the next-gen IS is not more aggressive in style, isn't roomier in the rear, doesn't have more competitive engines choices for base models, and doesn't have a coupe version, it will be considered a failure among many Lexus fans.
Last edited by TRDFantasy; 05-11-09 at 02:22 PM.
05-11-09, 02:16 PM
#35
You really have to wonder what was Lexus thinking? What was the reasoning behind not doing an IS coupe for this generation?
All I have to say is that the next-gen IS needs to be a knockout, just like the next-gen GS. In fact Lexus needs to really step it up with all of their future models. If the next-gen IS is not more aggressive in style, isn't roomier in the rear, doesn't more competitive engines choices for base models, and doesn't have a coupe version, it will be considered a failure among many Lexus fans.
All I have to say is that the next-gen IS needs to be a knockout, just like the next-gen GS. In fact Lexus needs to really step it up with all of their future models. If the next-gen IS is not more aggressive in style, isn't roomier in the rear, doesn't more competitive engines choices for base models, and doesn't have a coupe version, it will be considered a failure among many Lexus fans.
on the other hand, the 3gs is loser in a lot of categories. power is probably one stronger point, but space, features, and a lot of other aspects, the 3gs just loses so much ground to the others. compared to what lexus did with the 2gs, it's a huge swing
05-11-09, 02:23 PM
#36
I think one of the reasons for not having a coupe is that the 4-door IS sedan is already coupe-like, so far as the interior room, and in terms of styling, in this generation really has worn the lines better than a coupe version may have (part of the reason may be that the unique look is mainly in the greenhouse area and not the doors).
The rumors for the IS-C suggested that it was delayed because they had trouble justifying the price point. I'm guessing that the business case for non-convertible coupes has been not that lucrative, which is why they dropped a coupe-only and went for a convertible when going from SC 300/400 => SC 430. For some reason they like convertibles better -- perhaps they can justifiably charge more and also differentiate more readily from other models.
If the 3IS is larger and more roomy, plus is styled from the beginning to allow for a comparable coupe variant, where the coupe (possibly) has around the rear seat room of the 2IS, that might be successful. For now, a IS-C convertible may take the spot previously occupied by the SC 430, and a new 3SC may move in a different (larger? sleeker? 2-seater? LFA derived?) direction. The IS-C has more practical elements going for it -- more 4-seat room than the SC 430, trunk space, lower price point but still at a premium, etc.
The rumors for the IS-C suggested that it was delayed because they had trouble justifying the price point. I'm guessing that the business case for non-convertible coupes has been not that lucrative, which is why they dropped a coupe-only and went for a convertible when going from SC 300/400 => SC 430. For some reason they like convertibles better -- perhaps they can justifiably charge more and also differentiate more readily from other models.
If the 3IS is larger and more roomy, plus is styled from the beginning to allow for a comparable coupe variant, where the coupe (possibly) has around the rear seat room of the 2IS, that might be successful. For now, a IS-C convertible may take the spot previously occupied by the SC 430, and a new 3SC may move in a different (larger? sleeker? 2-seater? LFA derived?) direction. The IS-C has more practical elements going for it -- more 4-seat room than the SC 430, trunk space, lower price point but still at a premium, etc.
05-11-09, 02:25 PM
#37
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you got that right. on a broader picture, i think the IS is pretty good contender already. it has very good performance, but space wise it's a big let down for most people (including me). and the lack of coupe definitely put it in a big disadvantage against bmw
on the other hand, the 3gs is loser in a lot of categories. power is probably one stronger point, but space, features, and a lot of other aspects, the 3gs just loses so much ground to the others. compared to what lexus did with the 2gs, it's a huge swing
on the other hand, the 3gs is loser in a lot of categories. power is probably one stronger point, but space, features, and a lot of other aspects, the 3gs just loses so much ground to the others. compared to what lexus did with the 2gs, it's a huge swing
The 3GS is even more disappointing when you consider Lexus took such a long time to release the 3GS after the 2GS.
05-11-09, 02:26 PM
#38
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I think it's pretty clear to me that the IS-C is an afterthought.
How else do you explain why Lexus only introduce the IS-C nearly 4 years after the sedan version was launched (the standard should be one year after if you look at the 3-series and the G37, & that makes the most sense). And that's one reason why the IS-C isn't that impressive.
I think they clearly did not plan to build anything other than the sedan version initially, until they saw that the IS sedan version is pretty well received ...
How else do you explain why Lexus only introduce the IS-C nearly 4 years after the sedan version was launched (the standard should be one year after if you look at the 3-series and the G37, & that makes the most sense). And that's one reason why the IS-C isn't that impressive.
I think they clearly did not plan to build anything other than the sedan version initially, until they saw that the IS sedan version is pretty well received ...
05-11-09, 06:21 PM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
I think one of the reasons for not having a coupe is that the 4-door IS sedan is already coupe-like, so far as the interior room, and in terms of styling, in this generation really has worn the lines better than a coupe version may have (part of the reason may be that the unique look is mainly in the greenhouse area and not the doors).
Id hit the IS over the awkward 3 any day.
05-11-09, 09:43 PM
#41
Just like the IS-F, the IS-C is an afterthought, hence the odd lines and weird proportions.
The 3 series and G37 convertibles are no real beauties either, but relative to the IS-C they're more acceptable.
The 3 series and G37 convertibles are no real beauties either, but relative to the IS-C they're more acceptable.
05-11-09, 10:37 PM
#42
I think one of the reasons for not having a coupe is that the 4-door IS sedan is already coupe-like, so far as the interior room, and in terms of styling, in this generation really has worn the lines better than a coupe version may have (part of the reason may be that the unique look is mainly in the greenhouse area and not the doors).
The rumors for the IS-C suggested that it was delayed because they had trouble justifying the price point. I'm guessing that the business case for non-convertible coupes has been not that lucrative, which is why they dropped a coupe-only and went for a convertible when going from SC 300/400 => SC 430. For some reason they like convertibles better -- perhaps they can justifiably charge more and also differentiate more readily from other models.
If the 3IS is larger and more roomy, plus is styled from the beginning to allow for a comparable coupe variant, where the coupe (possibly) has around the rear seat room of the 2IS, that might be successful. For now, a IS-C convertible may take the spot previously occupied by the SC 430, and a new 3SC may move in a different (larger? sleeker? 2-seater? LFA derived?) direction. The IS-C has more practical elements going for it -- more 4-seat room than the SC 430, trunk space, lower price point but still at a premium, etc.
The rumors for the IS-C suggested that it was delayed because they had trouble justifying the price point. I'm guessing that the business case for non-convertible coupes has been not that lucrative, which is why they dropped a coupe-only and went for a convertible when going from SC 300/400 => SC 430. For some reason they like convertibles better -- perhaps they can justifiably charge more and also differentiate more readily from other models.
If the 3IS is larger and more roomy, plus is styled from the beginning to allow for a comparable coupe variant, where the coupe (possibly) has around the rear seat room of the 2IS, that might be successful. For now, a IS-C convertible may take the spot previously occupied by the SC 430, and a new 3SC may move in a different (larger? sleeker? 2-seater? LFA derived?) direction. The IS-C has more practical elements going for it -- more 4-seat room than the SC 430, trunk space, lower price point but still at a premium, etc.
I think it's pretty clear to me that the IS-C is an afterthought.
How else do you explain why Lexus only introduce the IS-C nearly 4 years after the sedan version was launched (the standard should be one year after if you look at the 3-series and the G37, & that makes the most sense). And that's one reason why the IS-C isn't that impressive.
I think they clearly did not plan to build anything other than the sedan version initially, until they saw that the IS sedan version is pretty well received ...
How else do you explain why Lexus only introduce the IS-C nearly 4 years after the sedan version was launched (the standard should be one year after if you look at the 3-series and the G37, & that makes the most sense). And that's one reason why the IS-C isn't that impressive.
I think they clearly did not plan to build anything other than the sedan version initially, until they saw that the IS sedan version is pretty well received ...
05-12-09, 08:17 AM
#44
Super Moderator
Based on the expected 6-year cycle of a Lexus sedan model (except the ES), a new redesigned IS sedan should come out for the 2012 model year late in 2011.
I can't imagine they will let this IS-C to last a few years beyond that with the old body style and engine/technology, etc.
If Lexus are going to do things right, a redesigned IS coupe and an IS convertible should come out a year after the new sedan is launched late in 2011. Maybe that's the reason why they didn't even bother to use the 4-stage roof mechanism of the LF-C concept on this IS-C, since it's going to have a shorter than normal production run ??
