Lexus M? (Long)
10-24-01, 03:49 PM
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Lexus M? (Long)
AutoCar Sept. 26, 2001
Lexus plots an M3 Rival
Super IS may get 326bhp engine from Toyota Supra
"Lexus is planning to build high-powered versions of its models in a bid to crack the increasingly lucrative everyday supercar market currently dominated by BMW and Jaguar.
Spurred on by parent Toyota's enthusiasm for its new T-Sport performance range (see sidebar) Lexus plans to set up an in-house tuning arm that will produce rivals not only to M BMWs, but Mercedes AMGs and planned R variants from Jaguar.
Earmarked for the high-power makeover are IS and GS models, producing rivals for the M3 and M5, but Lexus hasn't ruled out a massive power injection for the LS limo and RX off-roader as well.
Power sources are still under disucssion, but Lexus UK product manager Robert Frost said the 326 bhp straight six bi-turbo from the discontinued Toyota Supra is a candidate for the so-called Super IS.
Plans for the hot GS engine are sketchy, but one possibliity is a heavily tuned version of the 283bhp V8 used in the GS430.
However, the IS's chief engineer, Nobukai Katayama, is not committed to a turbo. 'It could also be a high revs, or a large displacement engine,' he said.
Katayama drives a modified IS using the same high-rev four cylinder 2.0 engine that sits in the Lexus BTCC racing car.
Toyota engineers last year built a one-off supercharged IS that won praise from all quarters including Autocar. However, despite a storming 0-60mph time of 7.1 sec., Lexus insiders said it didn't meet the company's legendary quality standards.'
Nick Gibbs
Sidebar
T-Cars
"Toyota, Lexus's parent company, is also pepping up its new T-Sport brand.
The new Corolla, on sale in January 2002, will be joined that same month by a hot 189bhp, six-speed T-sport version.
The new Avensis, due in spring 2003, is likely to be next in line for T-Sport treatment, alongside performance Corolla, Yaris and Celica models.
Toyota's Matthew Harrison said: 'T-Sport is an affordable sports package with extra power and subtle styling tweaks. There are no firm plans yet, but we are looking at more extreme versions, especially as we are entering Formula One."
I wonder if this means L-tuned here will get some teeth? I also wonder if this will come to the US or if it will be Euro Spec only?
Lexus plots an M3 Rival
Super IS may get 326bhp engine from Toyota Supra
"Lexus is planning to build high-powered versions of its models in a bid to crack the increasingly lucrative everyday supercar market currently dominated by BMW and Jaguar.
Spurred on by parent Toyota's enthusiasm for its new T-Sport performance range (see sidebar) Lexus plans to set up an in-house tuning arm that will produce rivals not only to M BMWs, but Mercedes AMGs and planned R variants from Jaguar.
Earmarked for the high-power makeover are IS and GS models, producing rivals for the M3 and M5, but Lexus hasn't ruled out a massive power injection for the LS limo and RX off-roader as well.
Power sources are still under disucssion, but Lexus UK product manager Robert Frost said the 326 bhp straight six bi-turbo from the discontinued Toyota Supra is a candidate for the so-called Super IS.
Plans for the hot GS engine are sketchy, but one possibliity is a heavily tuned version of the 283bhp V8 used in the GS430.
However, the IS's chief engineer, Nobukai Katayama, is not committed to a turbo. 'It could also be a high revs, or a large displacement engine,' he said.
Katayama drives a modified IS using the same high-rev four cylinder 2.0 engine that sits in the Lexus BTCC racing car.
Toyota engineers last year built a one-off supercharged IS that won praise from all quarters including Autocar. However, despite a storming 0-60mph time of 7.1 sec., Lexus insiders said it didn't meet the company's legendary quality standards.'
Nick Gibbs
Sidebar
T-Cars
"Toyota, Lexus's parent company, is also pepping up its new T-Sport brand.
The new Corolla, on sale in January 2002, will be joined that same month by a hot 189bhp, six-speed T-sport version.
The new Avensis, due in spring 2003, is likely to be next in line for T-Sport treatment, alongside performance Corolla, Yaris and Celica models.
Toyota's Matthew Harrison said: 'T-Sport is an affordable sports package with extra power and subtle styling tweaks. There are no firm plans yet, but we are looking at more extreme versions, especially as we are entering Formula One."
I wonder if this means L-tuned here will get some teeth? I also wonder if this will come to the US or if it will be Euro Spec only?
10-24-01, 04:11 PM
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Whoohaaa!!! Lexus luxury and quality with Teuton-killing performance! Enough said! Hey, even the Toyota line is gettin' some! WayDaGoToyo!
America is Lexus' largest market. We get the best of Lexus. As long as it meets Lexus high emissions standards, we'll be sure to see it State-side.
America is Lexus' largest market. We get the best of Lexus. As long as it meets Lexus high emissions standards, we'll be sure to see it State-side.
10-24-01, 04:25 PM
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I figure we will all cheer this. A little more explanation, Autocar is a British weekly magazine, like Autoweek, that I get. That is the reason the story is a month old. I agree that the US is too important to Lexus to be left out. I can't help wondering why our stellar domestic automotive press has nothing on this unless someone has seen something I have missed. Not only an uprated GS but the Supra TT engine in the IS would be a great match. Big power boost for the RX (LX?) and LS? Got to do it if you want to play with BMW and Merc. What's taking so long? At least they do seem to be waking up. Don't really mind if they take the time to do it right. The time to make a reliable car is in development not the dealers service bays. Shame not everyone has learned that lesson.
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10-24-01, 05:27 PM
#8
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you realize the V300 is the only car with the 2JZ-GTE that is still sold as a production car today? i've thoght about it, they stopped the supra in Japan right? so its just the Aristo right?
10-24-01, 05:37 PM
#9
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Originally posted by retrodrive
I'll probably get myself one of them new ones...
I'll probably get myself one of them new ones...
Heck, I might......
10-24-01, 06:07 PM
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Originally posted by CSHFLW
AN IS300 will NEVER be a M3....I mean...be real here.....
AN IS300 will NEVER be a M3....I mean...be real here.....
With the right parts, an IS can be an M3 or even better. The only think that the M3 has is more HP and better suspension.
10-24-01, 06:18 PM
#12
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Oh boy, here we go.
An IS doesn't WANT to be an M3; it would never see much off teh road from teh mechanics work bay!
J/K
Kidding aside, think of the PERFORMANCE, coupled with the RELIABILITY and QUALITY and SERVICE, and all OEM.
I know, I know, he menioned it needed to be more reliable, but this is just the first whiff of this. Wait until it goes into production.
Then consider that car as a platform to build on.
One word comes to mind - Whoa....
An IS doesn't WANT to be an M3; it would never see much off teh road from teh mechanics work bay!
J/K
Kidding aside, think of the PERFORMANCE, coupled with the RELIABILITY and QUALITY and SERVICE, and all OEM.
I know, I know, he menioned it needed to be more reliable, but this is just the first whiff of this. Wait until it goes into production.
Then consider that car as a platform to build on.
One word comes to mind - Whoa....
10-24-01, 06:23 PM
#13
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Originally posted by CSHFLW
AN IS300 will NEVER be a M3....I mean...be real here.....
AN IS300 will NEVER be a M3....I mean...be real here.....
And even if they only get 80% there, their price will be 80% too and they'll sell a lot.
10-24-01, 06:39 PM
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I hope Autocar is right, I have the mag that I took the quote out of so it has been printed, just don't know why the US press is so asleep at the switch. Hey bitkahuna, I was a little cool to the IS but I have really started to warm up to it. As an ex Supra owner the thought of the Supra TT in it seems like a great idea and not much of a stretch. Of course the stretch would be the AWD but if they are thinking of bumping the power of the RX like the article said, who knows, the mechanics might be usable in both the RX and IS. I must admit that I had gotten of the opinion that I didn't think Lexus really wanted to compete with bimmer but if they decide to than yes, I believe they could make a car to compete with the M3. It just is not wise to underestimate Toyota. And to get it back to the dear old GS, if they want to compete with the M5 or the offerings from AMG they need to be thinking of at least 400hp (anybody think I am off there?). My wife may get her wish of a GS430 because I just might be tempted to try a pumped GS with Toyota reliability and Lexus support. Sorry I didn't post the article earlier but I was on the road and haven't had a chance till now. Any of you guys with connections to Japan know anything about this or is it just a UK thing? Sure doesn't sound like it if they interviewed the IS lead engineer. BTCC is their touring car championship and I don't know what that high revving two liter is they are talking about. I will see if I can find any info on it or if anyone knows anything, please let us know.