After months of speculations and spy shots, it looks as though Lexus is moving forward with its IS coupe program, a new report finds. On April 15th, Toyota’s luxury division filed applications with both the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Canadian Trade-Marks Office that would seem to cover the coupe model(s).
According to my.IS, Lexus filed IS 250C, IS 300C and IS 350C trademarks. Presumably, the C stands for coupe, however, there is still the outside chance that C could stand for convertible.
What’s even more interesting is the trademark on IS 300C. Lexus doesn’t currently sell an IS 300 in North America, but such a model could — and likely will — plug the 100+ horsepower gap between the IS 250 and IS 350.
Lexus didn’t file a trademark on IS-FC or any other combination of those letters, so a two-door IS-F may not be in Lexus’ future. Then again, the Japanese automaker could still market a coupe version under the IS-F nameplate.
Whatever the case, it doesn’t look like we will have to wait long to see the future of the IS lineup.
04/24, 3:41 PM
posted by:
beantownslut
A re-badged toyota salara? you gotta be kiddin’ me!
04/24, 3:42 PM
posted by:
i64X
If that rear end rendering is any indication as to what the next IS looks like, it may very well be my next car. I loved the front end styling of the IS2/350, but didn’t like the “high” look of the back. It looked like it had it’s ass end way up in the air because of the way the headlights were shaped/positioned.
04/24, 3:57 PM
posted by:
jumpoffit
a far cry from what the IS300 used to be- this is crap
04/24, 4:19 PM
posted by:
WEKS
What the hell is a Toyota Salara?
04/24, 5:01 PM
posted by:
brocky
^ LOL
04/24, 5:12 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
It’s the 2 door Toyota Comry.
04/24, 5:23 PM
posted by:
shaver
Looks a little like rear of Nexus SC429.
04/24, 5:40 PM
posted by:
jumpoffit
Comry?
04/24, 6:15 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
The rear says Volov C70. Not a bad thing, but it looks nothing like the rear of the sedan!
04/24, 6:21 PM
posted by:
Jordan
johnny –
i lol’d.
04/24, 6:42 PM
posted by:
LaCaLover
TugJob I think you meant Vulva C70
04/24, 7:59 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
This story IS what it IS.
04/24, 9:39 PM
posted by:
Veda
This is a much needed model in the Lexus lineup to complete their plan to match Bimmer’s offerings regardless of whether they are achieving their goals or not. Plus, the IS really need a model with HP somewhere in the 260 range and the addition of a coupe, so a 300C would kill two birds with one stone. The IS-F is useless given it has 4 doors.
04/24, 9:51 PM
posted by:
Carwatcher
Look! A faux 3 series coupe.
04/24, 9:52 PM
posted by:
autonut
I test drove IS and it wasn’t bad at all. It is not Camry, since it is RWD and I could not detect great difference in handling between IS and 3 series. The shifter was another story. I wished Toyta borrowed one from Honda (or bimmmer, but BmW does not make its own – Gertrag)
04/24, 10:28 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
autonut: unless both of us have the last name Raikkonen and access to Watkins Glen we’ll probably have to take the word of those journalists who are paid to flog test mules as to which really handles better. That said, you do seem to test drive a lot of nice pieces. It’s good, very good to have a hobby.
04/24, 10:40 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Dropping the 2.5 would be wise. I don’t see the point.
It is only competitive with the A4
DrFill
04/24, 10:41 PM
posted by:
Veda
autonut: The flawed aspect of all Lexus or Toyota for that matter is their slow reacting auto transmission making the tiptronic/sport shift utterly useless. Until they can fix that problem I’ll never get one.
04/25, 1:10 AM
posted by:
N Spec
The Camry is FF. The IS is FR. If the the new IS coupe is close to 50 in tall or less, I’m in.
04/25, 1:34 AM
posted by:
N Spec
O and please have a 6MT ready for the coupe
04/25, 8:25 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
slut: it’s an alteeza, not a “salara.”
04/25, 9:44 PM
posted by:
maxcar
the separation of body panels between the trunk, rear window, and roof indicate a hardtop convertible.
04/26, 11:15 AM
posted by:
Kaizen
It’s an illustration, a poor one, and not an actual picture.
04/26, 5:52 PM
posted by:
autonut
Johnny, you seemed to pick my hobby: you did visit Mazda dealer to sit in Miata. Shoulda taken it on the road, you would not regret. You just have to tell sales person that it is not your cup of tea after drive or you have to kick in the face to get rid of him.
Veda, I am a pervert – I love manual transmission. I test drove IS 250 with manual gearbox and of course did not have issues with automatic being slow or outright retarded. I have nobody to blame for my driving errors but myself that way. I know that 328 is 230 HP and IS 250 only 205 or 210, but it really did not matter. Shifter in BMW was smoother and with shorter throws. Otherwise I could live with either one and if I to buy a car I would go for the bargain of the day between the two.