The mysterious Lexus IS spotted yesterday has made a video appearance, albeit rather brief and shaky:

The engine note is hard to read, though I would say it’s a V6. The hood bulge would indicate there’s something unusual going on, but whether it’s a hybrid system or even a supercharger is anyone’s guess.

[Via: Jalopnik]

(Thanks Jarrett!)

Motor Authority’s at it again, this time spotting a camouflaged Lexus IS running the track at Nürburgring.

The excessive tape & tarp are definitely hiding something, especially in the hood, where there’s a extra-large engine bulge:

Judging by the awkward rear stance and the presence of a roll cage, I’m thinking this is a mule for testing a new engine. Funny thing is, the paint job reminds me of the GS 450h that raced the Newfoundland Targa Rally:

I wonder, could this be a test of the engine destined for the upcoming dedicated hybrid?

(Check out Motor Authority for more pics.)

The IS Coupe is one step closer to reality, as a moderator over at my.IS discovered some trademark applications filed by Lexus in both the USA and Canada: IS 250C, IS 300C and IS 350C.

These digits lead to some interesting speculation, particularly in the case of the IS 300C. The 102-hp gap between the IS 250 and 350 has long been a bone of contention, especially because the IS 250 is available with a manual transmission. Now, with this new IS 300C designation, this gap could very well be plugged with something along the lines of the 3GR-FSE V6 (from the 2006-2007 GS 300). Very good news, if that’s the case.

One glaring omission is the IS-FC, though it seems more likely that there would be no differentiation between the coupe and sedan models.

All in all, a very positive development.

(Note: The above image is not the production IS coupe, but rather a rendering by a still-to-be-determined source.)

[Source: my.IS]

We’ve seen some photos of the Japanese special edition Elegant White Lexus IS, and now here’s a weird little commercial to go along with it:

It wouldn’t be so strange if the cat didn’t seem to have such a bizarre pose, but it is what it is.

(I still can’t stop thinking about the Passionate Black GS limited edition. If it came to North America, it would immediately take #1 spot in the “My Next Car” sweepstakes.)

This Lexus-produced video showing the manufacturing process of the IS is full-on fantastic:

I’ll admit to a soft spot when it comes to this type of behind-the-scenes video footage, and no matter how many times I read about it, it’s mind-boggling just how quality-obsessed Lexus really is. I was particularly impressed by the electronic tools that report every minute detail, which is used to build an entire build “history” of each car. Not only that, I don’t think I’ll ever look at wood in a luxury car the same way again, I had no idea just what lengths were taken to achieve the end result.

A Lexus IS convertible coupe has been spotted out in the wild, and was photographed by an unnamed German magazine. Here’s a blown-up image, for a better look:

As for the accompanying text, there’s some horsepower number ranging from 177 to 423, which translates right across the entire IS lineup, from the 220d to the IS-F. There’s also mention of a 2009 release, and if that’s true, it means there’s plenty more information coming down the pipeline very shortly.

[Source: Club Lexus]

The 3.5L DOHC V-6 engine found in the Lexus IS 350 has been named as one of 2008’s top engines by Wards:

As it earns its third consecutive 10 Best Engines award, Associate Editor Byron Pope sums up the Lexus-exclusive engine’s execution: “Good luck beating this in any category.”

…where the IS 350 application really nudges the needle is that engineers seem to have deliberately let a little more emotion edge out the near-clinical refinement.

“Sounds fabulous when pushed,” says Editor Drew Winter, and all judges agree this unquestionably is Lexus’ most emotive engine.

That may be the most important marker set by Lexus’ scintillating 3.5L DOHC V-6 as the company experiments with the formula. If Lexus is able to combine its laboratory-grade levels of noise, vibration and harshness with the correct proportions of emotion that excite car junkies, even BMW needs to take heed.

Among the other winners was the BMW 335i’s V-6 and new hybrid engine found in the GMC Yukon.

Lexus Japan will be releasing a limited edition Elegant White Interior IS, an especially literal name to be sure:

Beyond the white/grey two-tone semi-aniline leather seats, the interior will be replete with real wood paneling on the center console and doors, plus a rear privacy shade (not pictured):

I think it’s gorgeous, the wood grain is especially beautiful, and all of the elements together make for a very striking combination.

The IS “Elegant White Interior” edition goes on sale February 18th, and will be produced in a limited run of only 700. All exterior colors are available, and buyers will have a choice between the IS 250 & 350. The interior upgrade will cost ¥500,000 over the base model, which comes to about $4,500 USD.

There’s certainly some confusion out there today in regards to the Lexus IS-F Racing Concept & the new Team Lexus racer. Thought to be the same car, it turns out that the orange Team Lexus race car may be something entirely different. One thing’s for sure, it’s destined for the Le Mans series GT2 class, rather than the DTM Series in Europe (as was previously thought).

Based on the IS 350, the Lexus IS 350 GT2 will be powered by a V6 that’s expected to pump out 470+hp, and will be making its debut at the Twelve Hours of Sebring in Sebring, Florida (March 15-18, 2008).

Now, the only question that remains, what exactly is the IS-F Racing Concept? Is it the same car or something entirely different?

[Source: World Car Fans]

Update: In an update to their original article, World Car Fans has confirmed my suspicions: the IS 350 GT2 is not the same as the IS-F Racing Concept.

(Thanks Dan!)

Lexus has set the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) for an assortment of models, including the 2009 RX 350, which will skip up $100, bringing the front-wheel-drive version to $37,500 and the all-wheel-drive version to $38,900. The 2009 RX 350 is expected in dealerships by early February 2008.

Other models see a price bump as well:

• The LS 460 will jump up $500 to $62,000, and the LS 460L will start at $72,000
• The ES 350 increases by 0.3%, or $100, to $33,820
• The entire IS range will see $100 increase on all the various versions
• The RX 450h also sees a $100 increase.

In general, the price increases are rather insignificant, considering, with the exception of the LS. The more significant news is that the 2009 RX 350 price has already been set, which makes me think that the redesigned model (based on the LF-Xh concept) will be released in 2010.

[Source: The Earth Times]