OFFICIAL: New for 2007 IS Updates
#17
#18
#19
Cycle Savant
iTrader: (5)
Enthusiasts want the manual, but would they be willing to pay ~$1k more for a manual if it was made? I doubt it. I also doubt that Lexus is willing to eat up the ~$1k in costs for R&D and Production of a manual to offer it at the same price as the automatic...
#20
Lexus Connoisseur
Thread Starter
It's necessary to educate the proper terms. The terms come directly from the Lexus College and Lexus Marketing.
#21
#23
The Future IS cars...
Just read this on autoweek.com...Not sure if it is new info, but saw it posted as of 8.14...
IS 250/350: The rwd sedan was redesigned for the 2006 model year; a coupe is in development, likely for the 2008 model year.
A convertible was expected to debut when the coupe arrived. But Lexus is worried that its planned convertible may not succeed in a world of hard-top convertibles. The model may be sent back to the drawing board, forcing a delay.
Lexus executives downplay reports of a V-8, saying the big engine would kill the car's handling - not to mention that a 300-hp V-6 is plenty for a car this size. Don't rule out a hybrid as a midcycle addition.
IS 250/350: The rwd sedan was redesigned for the 2006 model year; a coupe is in development, likely for the 2008 model year.
A convertible was expected to debut when the coupe arrived. But Lexus is worried that its planned convertible may not succeed in a world of hard-top convertibles. The model may be sent back to the drawing board, forcing a delay.
Lexus executives downplay reports of a V-8, saying the big engine would kill the car's handling - not to mention that a 300-hp V-6 is plenty for a car this size. Don't rule out a hybrid as a midcycle addition.
#25
Lexus Champion
Simply put, it is not profitable.
Enthusiasts want the manual, but would they be willing to pay ~$1k more for a manual if it was made? I doubt it. I also doubt that Lexus is willing to eat up the ~$1k in costs for R&D and Production of a manual to offer it at the same price as the automatic...
Enthusiasts want the manual, but would they be willing to pay ~$1k more for a manual if it was made? I doubt it. I also doubt that Lexus is willing to eat up the ~$1k in costs for R&D and Production of a manual to offer it at the same price as the automatic...
#27
#28
Lexus Champion
Don't all manufacturers have to incur these same costs though? Why would Lexus be any different? Looks like Lexus was able to incur these costs and still offer the stick on the 1st gen at a lower price. Why would it be any different now?
#29
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
I was hoping there would possibly be a manual for the 07 IS350 but I started doubting it a while back.
#30
Cycle Savant
iTrader: (5)
Lexus may not want to absorb these costs because they sell cars for their comfort and ease of use, not because of their performance reputation.
M.B. may not want to absorb these costs for the luxury >> performance attitude. Also, they have other issues to deal with, such as reliability and technology problems, which may supercede the need to spend $$ on developing manual transmissions for their higher end vehicles.
If Lexus does plan to develop a well-developed manual, it will be for something that will be solely performance >> luxury oriented, such as the LF-A, or perhaps a true SC Sports Coupe (not a cruiser such as the one currently being offered). It is still possible to create a manual IS, but expect such a vehicle to be made significantly different from the current IS in terms of materials and technology used.