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We can always count on Nihon Car & Bike to keep us abreast of the goings on in Japan, and its latest scoop is what we think are official shots and specs of the forthcoming Lexus IS500. While these images co uld be nicely done Photochops, we're going with our gut here and guessing that they're not. According to NC&B, this information comes straight out of Japanese car mag Car Top, which reveals the IS500 will be powered by a 5.0-liter V8 developing 420 bhp and 405 ft-lbs. of torque, which is a larger and more powerful engine than the 380-hp, 4.6-liter V8 that we've been expecting. Clearly the car gains some width thanks to more pronounced fender flares covering a more aggressive wheel/tire combo. We did notice, however, that the oddly stacked quad exhaust tips we've seen in spy shots have been reordered into two neatly space pairs that flank an underbody air diffuser, while the rear deck also gets a subtle lip spoiler.

Thanks for the tip, James!

[Source: Nihon Car & Bike]

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Lexus now appears ready to up the ante, and go head-to-head with the BMW M3, C-Class AMG, and Audi S/RS4 with this hot version of its IS sedan.



This prototype has all the necessary sporty cues: An aggressive front air dam that appears to take inspiration from Lexus' LF-A sports car, subtly integrated fender flares, and a deep rear bumper with uniquely stacked dual-exhaust tips. From an appearance standpoint, this high-performance Lexus looks like it can hold its own against the competition.



The most logical engine powering this beast would be the 4.6-liter V-8 introduced in the new Lexus LS460, which, if in the same state of tune, would mean 380 hp and 370 lb-ft of torque. Sources say that this engine could be tuned and tweaked for more power, but Lexus has been quite adamant that they won't get sucked into horsepower wars with their German competition.



By the looks of this prototype, though, it looks like there is now another player in the factory tuner game.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/inde...&article=10647

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The Lexus brand was built on the idea that no segment is sacred, and for too long the German automakers have owned the high-performance entry-level luxury market. The BMW M3, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG, and the Audi S4/RS4 go at each other like Rottweilers fighting over the last piece of Kibble, and now Lexus is planning to stick its snout in the fray with this IS500 seen track testing at the Nurburgring in Germany.

The IS500 will be a more potent version of the IS sedan that currently tops out at 306 horsepower in IS350 trim (that's with a 3.5L V6). The photos reveal flared fenders, an aggressive face and oddly stacked quad-tailpipes. According to The Car Connection, the IS500 will probably receive the 4.6-liter V8 from the new Lexus LS460 (wouldn't that make it an IS460?), which would up the power to around 380 horsepower. That's not enough in some cases to compete nose-to-nose with the Germans, but apparently Lexus says it won't get dragged into a horsepower war. We're sure it will find other ways in which to tussle with its German competition.

[Source: The Car Connection]

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/17/s...s-lexus-is500/

GFerg

Yep. 6 pages of good info.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=227013

Believe it has all 3 stories you posted plus others.