08/27/2008, 5:13 PM
Convertible
Lexus to bring convertible IS models to U.S. in 2009, lightweight IS-F in the works
A convertible version of the Lexus IS has been rumored for the last few months now, and it looks as though those rumors may come to fruition in 2009, according to a new report. As previously speculated, the drop top IS will use a fully-retractable electronic hard top.
According to AutoTelegraaf, Lexus will bring convertible versions of the IS250 (IS250 C) and IS350 (IS350 C) to the U.S. in 2009, presumably to replace the lame duck SC430. However, Lexus will not be offering a drop-top version of the high-performance IS-F to go head-to-head with the BMW M3 convertible.
Despite getting the snub on an open air version, the IS-F will be getting a little extra attention from Lexus. AutoTelegraaf reports that Lexus is working on a lightweight version of the IS-F, much in the same vein as the now defunct BMW M3 CSL. However, no word on how much weight the sports sedan will lose or if there are any performance modifications in the cards.
As previously reported, AutoTelegraaf says that Lexus has put the brakes on its GS-F program.
08/27, 5:22 PM
posted by:
ktulu
Lexus sucks!
08/27, 5:31 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
MUCH better than the SC. yuck!
08/27, 6:03 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
Lexus sucks. They’re copy machines, have you ever compared the SC with the same year SLK?
They don’t have an own image, they blend great germans features because they don’t take risks, they go to an already discovered terrain.
08/27, 6:11 PM
posted by:
stick2clutch
I bet they’ll either cancel that lightweight IS/F because bmw canceled their lightweight M3. Or, they’re picking up on the idea to say they did it first.
08/27, 7:26 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
Lexus just announced their 2009 Lexus SC Pebble Beach edition, so it seems that lame duck will carry on for one more year. How did Infiniti get the jump on Lexus with this one? The IS has been out much longer than the G37, and the production G c/c is already being shown.. we haven’t even seen an IS c/c mule!
08/27, 7:47 PM
posted by:
drchiem
***by ktulu*** You SUCK Ktulu, you need to open an dictionary and learn how to comment about any cars. So far, I own LS 430 and 460. It is buy the best reliable luxury car ever…. Go Lexus…..
08/27, 8:07 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
Lexus…they are fancy Toyotas. Still a Toyota.
08/27, 8:41 PM
posted by:
6ix
They may be fancy Toyotas, but they are really nice cars. The complainers on here just can’t afford them. They’d be smart, REALLY smart, to offer the IS as a coupe though. The BMW 3-series owns that market.
08/27, 9:12 PM
posted by:
t-ak-box
“They’d be smart, REALLY smart, to offer the IS as a coupe though.” by6ix
I would have to disagree with you on that. By having a Hrdtp conv. they get both now. And in the future they can offer a higher tier coupe and /or conv. models like the previous SC’s.
08/27, 9:13 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Well the convertible is a 2 door, so can a real coupe be far behind?
08/27, 10:25 PM
posted by:
f*********e
how can people make comments like Lexus sucks and Lexus are fancy Toyotas.
What then are Caddys and lincolns?
these are basically lesser models with skin changes
08/28, 12:12 AM
posted by:
bigp
well the lexus will have to bring
08/28, 12:21 AM
posted by:
02WRXPSM
Since when was “still a Toyota” a drawback, considering where they consistently place on the sales, reliability, safety and price charts? Oh that’s right, you’re a bigoted ‘merican car fan who can’t see past the nose on your face… Personally I’d never drive a Lexus, but you can’t say idiotic things about them and just dismiss them like that — they have been solid, consistent sellers in a very tough market for more than a decade, and certainly hold their own against the Euro mid-luxe crowd.
08/28, 2:15 AM
posted by:
Jordan
cadillac… they are fancy chevys. still chevys.
08/28, 3:09 AM
posted by:
mazdaman
The current IS is a nice looking sedan and I expect this coupe-cabrio version to continue that trend.
08/28, 4:43 AM
posted by:
audifan
light weight IS-F convertible, the is convertible looks good but if they want a performace car they should dumb the heavy folding roof mechanism and go with a carbon fibre roof, strictlcy coupe
08/28, 7:02 AM
posted by:
Mclaren19p
Alot of you ppl on here don’t know how to read. It says, audifan, that there will be no IS-F convertible, but lightweight version of it. In no way did they say that there will be a lightweight convertible version of the IS-F.
08/28, 8:25 AM
posted by:
Fletch
The IS-F is a joke. How many are they gonna sell per year, 1000 tops? It only comes with a automatic, not even DCT.
08/28, 9:52 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
“They may be fancy Toyotas, but they are really nice cars. The complainers on here just can’t afford them. They’d be smart, REALLY smart, to offer the IS as a coupe though. The BMW 3-series owns that market.
Comment by 6ix, posted ”
Affordability is not the issue. I can afford any Lexus, but there isn’t a single model they have that appeals to me. I’m a hardcore enthusiast. Lexus’ are too soft, too squishy, too boring looking, too slow. The IS-F is their only performance model, and its a decent performer, but I hate automatics, and I hate the way it looks.
There are a bunch of other automakers who produce cars that I like to drive. BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Cadillac for starters. They all build luxury performance models that also look great.
08/28, 11:14 AM
posted by:
crackerhemi
Great! This will really give BMW a run for its money. This will also make the grave of faux luxury brands like cadallac and lincoln much deeper. ZO6fied is a lying honkey. He can’t even afford the current Z06 let alone a lexus/BMW
08/28, 2:11 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
“He can’t even afford the current Z06 let alone a lexus/BMW
Comment by crackerhemi, posted on ”
If that’s what you want to think, that’s fine with me. I know how much I have in my bank account. I don’t need to prove my wealth to anyone, especially a cracker like you.
I already have a Z06. What do you have?
08/29, 11:59 AM
posted by:
bmwmpower
Lexus, nice cars. Very nice cars. But screw you Lexus, you will never be BMW. You will never even be Infinity.
Stick to your soft, grams’n'gramps cars. it’s what you do best. And I will admit you do a fine job at it.
08/29, 11:59 AM
posted by:
bmwmpower
Infiniti*, sorry. Infinity makes speakers. LOL
11/09, 12:12 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
It’s just an Alteeza