Lexus announced earlier this year that a new IS convertible was in the works, and the Japanese automaker gave up the goods on Thursday at the Paris Motor Show. Dubbed the IS 250C, the new convertible will go head-to-head with BMW’s drop top 3-series and will eventually replace the company’s SC430.
Like the outgoing Lexus SC 430, the IS 250C will use a retractable hard top — a three piece aluminum unit in this case — rather than a conventional soft top. The IS 250 C’s solid roof should make it a more attractive option for those residing in cold weather states, and will also give the IS equal footing with BMW’s retractable hard top 3-series offerings.
The convertible IS features revised front and rear fascia, with overhangs slightly longer than its four-door counterparts. Inside, the IS 250C coddles with all the creature comforts Lexus buyers have come to expect, including enough room in the trunk — roof down — to hold a couple of golf bags.
Although Lexus unveiled the IS 250C at the Paris show, no word on when or if Lexus plans to unveil the IS 350C. Earlier reports suggested that both models would be available in the U.S. in 2009, so it’s possible that Lexus is saving the IS 350 C for a later show, such as November’s LA Auto Show.
Fans of open air motoring and V8 power will have to look elsewhere – Lexus doesn’t plan to produce a convertible version of the hotter IS-F.
10/02, 7:41 AM
posted by:
whips001
Brilliant strategic planning…discontinue the SC, bring the hardtop convertible to the IS, and bring out the LFA to compete againsht the GTR, ZR1…dont be suprised if we see a new high performance 4 door coupe these Japs are on their sh!t. …the IS is still a toyota corola with a body kit to me…
10/02, 8:47 AM
posted by:
Syrax
whips001, despite the fact that this is NOT a corolla, they’re not on the same platform, not the same engines, you’re absolutely right.
10/02, 8:58 AM
posted by:
6ix
That did not translate into a convertible very well.
10/02, 9:13 AM
posted by:
projectzr1
Still looks better than the SC by far.
So since they have a convert now shouldn’t they come up with a coupe too? shouldn’t be hard.
10/02, 9:18 AM
posted by:
pzimet
It’s decently attractive, a little heavy looking, but the rear end is nicely sculpted. I’d absolutely take one of these over, say, a Saab 9-3 Convertible, but not over a BMW 3-Series Convertible.
10/02, 9:30 AM
posted by:
sentinel1111
would love to see it with top up.
10/02, 9:40 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
Women and gay men should love it.
10/02, 9:46 AM
posted by:
Got Handling?
This may not be the best looking convertible, but it will expand the perception of the IS from an all-business small saloon to a stylish sports saloon.
I shan’t be selling the BM any time soon though…
10/02, 10:15 AM
posted by:
drchiem
^^^whips001^^^^ due you mention “the IS is still a toyota corola with a body kit to me…” then you need to find a better job so you can save enough to afford the Lexus IS. I just can’t stand ignorant comment like this. Anyway this awesome to see IS convertible so the price will be more reasonable. Well done Lexus.
10/02, 10:18 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Let’s see…. Eos, IS 250C…. Eos, IS 250C. Now where did I leave my mascara?
10/02, 11:21 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Just what the IS needs, even more things to go wrong with it. As if it wasn;t already an unreliable piece of garbage. The CTS is going to get a convertible as well, Americans are going to wait for that instead of this POS
Buy American, buy GM
10/02, 11:26 AM
posted by:
FRANKE_D
Hey Mr. need more oil, maybe you should go back to the Audi A1 comments because we all pretty much made it clear that we don’t want to hear from you again. Get lost little man…
10/02, 11:53 AM
posted by:
whips001
Z06ified is halarious…and exactly right
10/02, 1:11 PM
posted by:
writeeddie
Z06ified is only half right — GAY man are more into BMWs and AUDIs (coming from LA car culture and all ~ ) This IS will find a lot more follower than the over priced SC430 for sure. Mostly from women and retired boomers everywhere. Depends on how they price this.
10/02, 1:19 PM
posted by:
scottns
Looks like a Solara
10/02, 1:25 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Weak
10/02, 2:03 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Very gay
10/02, 2:03 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Almost as gay as a Miata or a Boxster
10/02, 2:03 PM
posted by:
whips001
^^drchiem….LEXUS IS’ suck they’re small and not respected at all…. like Z06 they’re for girls and faggots man, i’d buy my daughter this car when she gets her liscence….it is and always will be a corolla with a body kit…now its a corolla with a hardtop droptop..
10/02, 3:02 PM
posted by:
autonut
I like it. It is not as well done as 3 series convertible with roof on, but with top down it is a looker. Maybe I just like top down period.
10/02, 3:27 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
NO! NO! NO!….. THIS IS NOT WHAT I ASK FOR, TACK IT BACK AND BRING ME A TOYOTA SUPRA, OR ELS I’LL BUY A GTR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10/02, 4:59 PM
posted by:
A4
PIECE OF CRAP
10/02, 6:23 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
Personally, I think the back looks fairly high, the interior is way too conservative, and yet another stupid car with no usable back seats. Why do they bother? So they can call it “functional”?
There’s nothing attractive with it. Isn’t that the point of this segment, to LOOK attractive? This sure doesn’t. Nope, interior sure doesn’t look attractive. Have any of you called it stunning? Nope, all I’ve heard are mild comments calling it nice looking. Definitely the worst option in this segment.
10/02, 6:43 PM
posted by:
VWgrouP
HAHA
No no, this is not a good idea Lexus. If you want a convertible in your line up, (if you havent taken it out already) just update the SC.
And I agree with all of you, women and gay guys with money to waste will sure love this.
(Im only saying that because Lexus is owned by Toyota, and I really hate Toyota..)
10/02, 6:52 PM
posted by:
andy
drchiem
your right its not a corolla with a body kit, its a camry
10/02, 9:04 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
We still have yet to see this or the G37 with the top up, but to my eye the Infiniti is a much more successful conversion to convertible hardtop, probably because the G37 is a coupe and the IS is sedan-based. I would still take a 335i over either, and if price were a factor I’d probably prefer the much better looking VW Eos over the IS.
10/02, 9:06 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
AAACK! I just saw the top-up photo.. there is NO WAY I would buy this, even over a Pontiac G6!
10/02, 9:09 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
My convertible hardtop choices:
1. BMW 335iC
2. Infiniti G37 (if it looks good top-up)
3. Volvo C70
4. VW Eos
5. Pontiac G6
.
.
.
.
15. Lexus ISC
10/02, 9:51 PM
posted by:
maxcar
whatever…
10/03, 2:27 AM
posted by:
GermanGuy
This thing looks uninspired and boring!
Please stop trying to copy almost every model in the lineup of BMW and Mercedes!
simple adding Horsepower+technology+leather seats does NOT result in a beamer or benz.
Lexus, you have no soul and no heart…. I cannot feel ya
Please start producing cars that stand for something… make supras… find your own way
10/03, 4:10 AM
posted by:
mikemacnn
This looks to be a masterpiece. Definitely a babe magnet.
10/03, 9:42 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
^Maybe if your a lesbian or those babes are cross dressers
10/03, 12:24 PM
posted by:
Donfuy MccKud
^^GermanGuy: I’m with you.
They made a convertible. End.
Lexus, you used racionality to build a convertible. Shame on you.
10/04, 5:12 PM
posted by:
metalshine91
Well said GermanGuy^^^!!!
It looks like Lexus kidnapped the child of a BMW 3-Series and a Volvo C70…
10/07, 11:40 AM
posted by:
sp
What about the SLK?? Why isn’t that in the hardtop convertible comparison zoomzoom?
10/15, 1:27 PM
posted by:
writeeddie
SKL is a two seater (roadster.) SP. It probably will be on the same list when M.B. is moving forward to build a C-class hardtop convertible (like everyone else.)
Because of its lower $$ & extra 2 seats ( as boring as this IS convertible is), LEXUS will sell a lot more IS convertible than the SC430. At least it will be sportier than the SC (a car designed for retired boomers or the housewives in O.C.)
10/15, 1:27 PM
posted by:
writeeddie
SLK is a two seater (roadster.) SP. It probably will be on the same list when M.B. is moving forward to build a C-class hardtop convertible (like everyone else.)
Because of its lower $$ & extra 2 seats ( as boring as this IS convertible is), LEXUS will sell a lot more IS convertible than the SC430. At least it will be sportier than the SC (a car designed for retired boomers or the housewives in O.C.)
10/15, 7:14 PM
posted by:
cereal
if only toyota had the magic to make all the current SCs into this.
deny it all you want, it IS (somewhat) less of an eyesore.
11/09, 4:15 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
It’s just an Alteeza
11/17, 2:08 PM
posted by:
JDMLover
THATS ONE HOT LEXUS!!!
CANT WAIT TO SEE IT REAL LIFE!!!!
Lexus.