Latest rumor: IS400!!
#17
this is what I found on R&T.
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Lexus IS 500
An M3 killer in the midst.
A 2-door Lexus IS, badly camouflaged as a 4-door, was spotted lapping the Nürburgring 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 V-8 power soon, it's only natural for the world's most profitable car company to also cram a V-8 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 V-8, 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 the 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 "IS 500."
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-mph times should be near 5.0 seconds.
The IS 500 could make an appearance as soon as late this year. If so, expect it to be priced between $50,000 and $60,000.
----------------------------------
0-60mph.
The IS350 does it with little more than 5 sec
Current M3 @ 4.8s
and this 400hp V8 estimated at 5.0s ? how is that an M3 killer when it can't even poke the current M3 with 333hp?
--------------------------------------------
Lexus IS 500
An M3 killer in the midst.
A 2-door Lexus IS, badly camouflaged as a 4-door, was spotted lapping the Nürburgring 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 V-8 power soon, it's only natural for the world's most profitable car company to also cram a V-8 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 V-8, 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 the 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 "IS 500."
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-mph times should be near 5.0 seconds.
The IS 500 could make an appearance as soon as late this year. If so, expect it to be priced between $50,000 and $60,000.
----------------------------------
0-60mph.
The IS350 does it with little more than 5 sec
Current M3 @ 4.8s
and this 400hp V8 estimated at 5.0s ? how is that an M3 killer when it can't even poke the current M3 with 333hp?
#18
Lexus Test Driver
What it is true or BS, Like the new V10 M5 I love the sounds of a 100 horsepower per liter of displacement V10 IS with a high revving engine (8500 rpm redline?). I mean an IS400 that sounds like an F1 racing car. Who could say no to that?
Last edited by 05RollaXRS; 03-17-06 at 10:41 PM.
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