Lexus 'F'. A new performance brand.
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From: Chicagoland IL
Lexus 'F'. A new performance brand.
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...t=newsletter02
A new Lexus 'F' - as in 'faaast'
Mark Rechtin | | Automotive News / December 4, 2006 - 1:00 am
LOS ANGELES - Lexus will launch a performance brand in late 2007 to compete with Mercedes' AMG and BMW's M divisions.
Lexus will start with an IS sedan equipped with a 425-hp, 5.0-liter V-8. The engine is a retuned version of the LS 600h L hybrid's engine, dealer sources said.
The sedan will be called the IS-F. It will debut at the Detroit auto show in January.
Lexus likely will carry that nomenclature into other high-performance Lexus vehicles, a dealer said. He said a GS-F sedan and IS-F coupe likely will follow.
The IS-F - "F" as in "fast" - will go on sale in December 2007 and sticker in the low $50,000 range, sources said. Lexus told dealers of the plans at a recent national meeting.
Toyota Motor Co. filed for a trademark for "IS-F" on Nov. 8 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It also filed for a trademark for a stylized "F" logo on Oct. 9.
A dealer source said Yamaha is tuning the IS-F engine's heads for more power. Brembo will be the brake supplier.
Lexus declined to comment.
A new Lexus 'F' - as in 'faaast'
Mark Rechtin | | Automotive News / December 4, 2006 - 1:00 am
LOS ANGELES - Lexus will launch a performance brand in late 2007 to compete with Mercedes' AMG and BMW's M divisions.
Lexus will start with an IS sedan equipped with a 425-hp, 5.0-liter V-8. The engine is a retuned version of the LS 600h L hybrid's engine, dealer sources said.
The sedan will be called the IS-F. It will debut at the Detroit auto show in January.
Lexus likely will carry that nomenclature into other high-performance Lexus vehicles, a dealer said. He said a GS-F sedan and IS-F coupe likely will follow.
The IS-F - "F" as in "fast" - will go on sale in December 2007 and sticker in the low $50,000 range, sources said. Lexus told dealers of the plans at a recent national meeting.
Toyota Motor Co. filed for a trademark for "IS-F" on Nov. 8 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It also filed for a trademark for a stylized "F" logo on Oct. 9.
A dealer source said Yamaha is tuning the IS-F engine's heads for more power. Brembo will be the brake supplier.
Lexus declined to comment.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 48
If it's packing 425HP it will be plenty fast. The current IS350 with 306HP goes 0-60 in 5.2 or something like that, so the IS-F will be well under 5 seconds 0-60. F is a stupid F'ing name though.
The CTS-V and C55(?) AMG will probably blow the M3 and IS-F away on acceleration and the V at least should be able to beat them around the track, too.
The CTS-V and C55(?) AMG will probably blow the M3 and IS-F away on acceleration and the V at least should be able to beat them around the track, too.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
425 horses in an IS is alot like packing 425 horsepower in a Ford Fusion. The only rude awakening will be if the normal, older, conservative Lexus buyer wanting the top of the line model ends up in one and accidently floors the thing.
