Despite erroneous reports on some fan websites, the mystery Lexus IS spied recently is not a facelifted model, but rather a race car for Gazoo Racing. The car is expected to do battle in the ADAC Rundstrecken Trophy Endurance race in Germany. A race car was our strongest suspicion all along, due mostly to the light-to-dark gradient of the paint scheme, and the roll cage inside the prototype.
As many Leftlane readers speculated, the camouflage on the car’s body was hiding decals for Gazoo and other sponsors. The car is lowered and a stripped down interior with racing seats. The base car is a Lexus IS 250, which meets the 2.0- to 2.5-liter requirement of the SP5 category.
Some unreliable sources were calling the prototype a facelift to the IS series, but nothing about the car indicated that was likely. There have been rumors about an IS hybrid, a turbocharged model, and a more potent version of the IS-F, but this car unfortunately has nothing to do with any of those potential future models.
Spy Photos
05/12, 12:52 PM
posted by:
xyunya
It looks good. Same lines on a small car definitely better looking then on LS or even GS. I dare to say but I like looks of it better then Bangle creations, Audi and M-B. Usually German cars are better looking then any Toyota.
05/12, 1:09 PM
posted by:
jumpoffit
so…………… no LF-A ? another IS, yay! /sarcasm
05/12, 1:39 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Ditto xyunya: very clean and purposeful lines. Hands down the best looking Lexus in their lineup.
05/12, 1:45 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
What was with all those lumps in the hood of the disguised car?
05/12, 3:19 PM
posted by:
brocky
I take back the comments I made in the previous post about this car being a hybrid..
05/12, 3:53 PM
posted by:
VictorRaikkonen
I agree, it is the best looking car in their line up. [3.53 am not pm]
05/12, 9:05 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
^^Yes it is.
I don’t see the point of the camouflaged car, I mean why not just don’t paint it or… well, dunno but it’s disappointing, this is the worst option or at least the less-cool idea that we had thought , an hybrid, a turbo charged or a new IS would be more revolutionary than a NORMAL race car.