It may not have the production specs that everyone’s waiting for, but the new Lexus IS-F website makes up for it by providing just about every other detail you could possibly want, including five previously unseen videos, a ton of new photos and even the story behind the performance sedan:

The IS F began with just two people - and a lot of desire. They knew instinctively that Lexus was more than ready for a true high performance car, even though there wasn’t anything like it in Lexus’ long term plans. They knew that it must be nothing less than a mold-breaking performance car with expected Lexus virtues.

The small team started by creating a concept idea after studying the various aspects of driving enjoyment and soon constructed a “proof of concept” car to present their ideas in the metal. This car was built by equipping a first generation IS body with a 5.2L V8 engine developed by TRD and suspension that incorporated the latest thinking. This ‘proof of concept’ required a car that could really be driven in order to prove its worth - and it was. The team presented it many times and slowly found support in high places.

As supporters of the new car increased, the team was able to take real steps toward development. “The first request that I made to the development team was to create a car that can be driven with enjoyment on a racing circuit for more than 10 laps,” said IS F Chief Engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi.

There are some details that can now be considered official:

• The IS-F will have an electronically governed maximum speed of 168mph
• The six exterior colors will be: Starfire Pearl, Mercury Metallic, Smokey Granite Mica, Obsidian, Matador Red Mica & Ultrasonic Blue Mica (unique to IS F) .
• The two interior colors will be: Black & High Contrast Alpine White/Black
• Available options include: A Mark Levinson Premium Surround-Sound System, Lexus DVD Navigation System, Intuitive Park Assist, Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Headlamp Cleaners and Moonroof Removal.

There’s a lot of info to digest, including a great press release brochure from the Frankfurt Auto Show. You can expect to spend an hour on the site, easy.

(Thanks Dan!)

Featured in this month’s Import Tuner is the story of Geoffrey Chen, who set out to “recreate a simple, clean and practical VIP-styled [Toyota] Soarer” from his existing Lexus SC 300.

Starting with an imported 2JZ-GE engine, Chen added a JIC Magic body kit, Supra slotted Brembos with Rotora carbon pads, and Blitz Technospeed Z1 wheels. Yet, still he wasn’t satisfied:

During his years researching the capabilities of the 1JZGTE engine, Chen found it could be made to hold about as much power in stock trim as its nearly indestructible 2JZ cousin. Predicated on this knowledge, and after some short conversation with Danny at SIXautoworks, Chen had a request put in overseas with GReddy for one of their T78 single turbo kits. “The kit is so rare, it’s not even kept in stock in the Japanese factories,” Chen explains. “To my knowledge, it’s the only one on an SC in the states, and one of only a handful in the world.”

All in all, though it’s an interesting technical look into a SC 300-to-Soarer conversion, the article is written with a certain verve you don’t often see in a tuner mag. Case in point:

What’s most impressive about Jeff, even more so than the car he built that’s presented on these pages, is that he was able to find that balance between passion and restraint that comes with the realization of having nothing to prove, while recapturing the simple enjoyments that are so fleeting for many of us as we strive for progression in this game.

I’ve only just discovered a great ongoing video series being shown at MyRide, which follows the development of the tuned Lexus IS-F (plus a Toyota Yaris and Scion XD) by Five Axis that will be shown at this year’s SEMA.

The series, serving as a weekly check into development, has two installments so far:

Countdown to SEMA: Five Axis 1

Countdown to SEMA: Five Axis 2

Not too much in the way of details, though there is a number of clips showing the IS-F in all states of disassembly. I’m sure the upcoming installments, which I’ll be sure to post, will be more forthcoming.

(Update: I’ve added the final two videos to this post.)

[Via: Club Lexus]

Jim Farley has been a busy man over the last twenty-four hours, first dishing the dirt on Lexus’ plans in Europe, then announcing in a Bloomberg interview that Lexus could pursue high performance hybrids aimed at “enthusiast groups”.

No details were given, but there’s been rumblings for some time about the possibility of a LF-A hybrid, though in my opinion, a GS-F hybrid is more likely, perhaps using the LS 600h’s engine as a starting point. Of course, the system would have to drop some pounds to make it feasible.

One thing’s for certain, hybrid high performance would certainly give Lexus a unique angle in selling their supercars.

What’s even more, Farley didn’t stop there:

Lexus also is studying “a hybrid that’s engineered for really high mileage and really low emissions,” Farley said, without elaborating.

“There is a huge opportunity for a luxury-car company to be seen as a solution provider in terms of getting away from carbon pollution and heavy reliance on oil,” said Farley, who is based at Toyota’s U.S. sales headquarters in Torrance, California.

Lexus is watching to see how consumers react to General Motors Corp.’s proposed Volt plug-in hybrid, intended to go 40 miles solely on electricity before the engine engages, and Tesla Motors Inc.’s battery-powered sports car that promises 245 miles of all-electric range, Farley said.

A rechargeable Lexus hybrid with extended electric range is possible, though an improved, “super-efficient” version of Toyota’s current hybrid system may be more likely, he said.

[Source: Bloomberg via Carscoop]

The automotive press has finally been given the keys to the upcoming Lexus IS-F, not that it means we’ll be getting any insight into the overly secretive final specs, at least according to Arthur St. Antoine of Motor Trend:

Tonight I’m in Carmel, California, in preparation for tomorrow’s test drive of the all-new, hugely anticipated Lexus IS F sport sedan at Laguna Seca racetrack. Can’t tell you a thing yet about the Lexus; all that information is top secret until the official release date.

At least it’s a step in the right direction.

***

St. Antoine also got an opportunity to have dinner with Jim Farley, Toyota Vice-President and Lexus general manager, who passed along some rather interesting information:

Lexus sells more cars per dealership in Russia and China than it does in the U.S. Surprise you? It did me. “We’re huge in Russia,” Farley says. “China, too. They love our cars.” The same can’t be said for Europe, though. “We don’t have the diesels for France, Germany, Italy,” Farley admits. “Just making a transmission for a diesel engine can take ten years to recoup the costs, yet that’s what European buyers want.” When I asked if Europe really matters that much, given the Lexus success in Asia, Farley didn’t hesitate: “It is a status thing. If you want to be taken seriously as an automaker, you’ve got to do well in Europe.” Then he cracked a sly smile: “We have some things coming that I think will impress you.”

I pray that he’s not referring to the rumored small luxury car.

Farley confirms the fact that Lexus is making the European market a top priority, though that was of little doubt. With his talk of the cost associated with building a transmission for a diesel engine, my mind went straight to the IS 220d, which has been available in Europe for some time. However, after looking into it, the IS 220d is only available in manual, meaning Farley must be referring to an automatic transmission.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Reminiscent of the illegally parked IS 350 I featured a few months ago, here we have another Lexus owner willing to break the law in order to get a great photo:

Club Lexus member timeToy, who owns this GS 450h and took the photo, was nice enough to pass along some details, including links to information on the Tanabe TNF112 springs used in the drop. Of special note are the gold painted brake calipers, which can be seen much clearer in the larger version of the above photo.

(Thanks Billybob!)

Toyota exec Tokuichi Uranishi, in an interview with German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport, has stated that in order for Lexus to compete in Europe’s luxury market, the lineup will have to be expanded, and should include a small luxury car, a la the BMW 1-Series/Mercedes 1-Class.

Increasing European marketshare has become a #1 Lexus priority, and mention of 1-series/A-class competitor is hardly surprising. but it’s miles away from an earlier report that Lexus would be steering clear of any sub-$30,000 vehicle.

I’m not sure I understand the logic myself, but with their goal of 150,000 vehicles sold in Europe by 2015, Lexus can hardly rely on the introduction of LF-A and IS-F to boost their numbers. New models will have to be introduced, but I’m not sure a small luxury car is the right answer.

Speaking strictly in European numbers, BMW has sold 76,000 1-Series cars in the first half of this year. Lexus, in comparison, hopes to sell 56,000 vehicles in total. This would seem to support the release of a 1-series competitor, however, those 76,000 units only accounts for 11% of BMW’s total sales. Hardly seems to be a market worth chasing, considering.

There are other Europe-only models rumored in the Lexus pipeline, including a hybrid car and a RAV-4 based crossover, but I think what Lexus needs most of all is patience.

[Via: Motor Authority]

As previously mentioned, this year’s SEMA event will showcase nine Lexus models tuned up by aftermarket companies. Most of these companies make little or no mention of this fact on their websites, but two of the tuners have put up some teaser images:

Blitz Tuned Lexus GS 430

The Blitz GS hasn’t gone over the top with external modification, there’s a front lip spoiler and side steps, and more than likely a rear lip spoiler, but I imagine most of their entry is going to be under the hood. Surprisingly, I like the gold rims.

BRS Autodesign Tuned SC 430

The BRS Autodesign SC, however, is completely kitted over, including giant vented front fenders, a fat front lip spoiler, huge wheels, massive side steps and an enormous rear trunk spoiler. I love this one from the front, but the lack of rear under-spoiler ruins it.

When the Lexus IS-F hit the Laguna Seca Raceway during the California Taste of Lexus Event, there was a deluge of video released by spectators, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING that compares to the following video:

Expert editing, amazing angles, fantastic sound — until I find out otherwise, I’m going to assume this is direct from Lexus. And what’s even better, the Youtube title indicates there’s going to be more footage.

*Update*: It’s confirmed, this footage is direct from Lexus, according to Arthur St. Antoine of Motor Trend.

(Thanks Jarrett!)

This Lexus ES 350 commercial highlights my favorite feature of the car, and perhaps one of my favorite optional features of all time, the panoramic glass roof:

The glass roof is perfectly suited to the overall design of the ES, and really the only Lexus I could picture with it. Perhaps it’s only because I’ve seen the same feature on the new Mercedes S600, but the idea just seems so luxurious.

Love it.