Bader Bouarki's photo of the Lexus IS is fantastic, and the description is even better:

I Told my friend to drive, i went to the second car and sit in the trunk, it was 120KM/H,
i added the cloud as a part of a beauty...

Sitting on the trunk of a car going 120kph (75mph) certainly puts a different spin on The Passionate Pursuit of Perfection.

The Fox Marketing/Artisan Performance Lexus IS-F project car scheduled for display at SEMA 2008 has been unveiled early, and brings with it some very exciting news for IS-F owners:

The vehicle will be debuted at SEMA 2008 in Las Vegas alongside 3 other IS-F's from different aftermarket companies. These companies will be showcasing and developing new aftermarket parts for the IS-F. Artisan will be offering an exhaust, intake, pullies and a turbo kit for the IS-F.

Last time we saw this IS-F it was in mid-build, and the finished project doesn't disappoint. The flared-out fenders remind me of the 5Axis IS-F from last year, and the burnt orange exterior and carbon-fiber roof are just fantastic. Very tastefully done. [Via: Club Lexus]

Here's the full gallery:

Every year, the JM Lexus dealership in South Florida sponsors the Lexus/Supra Mega Meet, a two day event set up for enthusiasts to both check out and show off some custom rides.

To mark the occasion, JM Lexus put together a heavily modified IS 350, featuring not only every F-Sport accessory available but also a full reworking of the interior & exterior.

Anthony Barbosa of JM Lexus filled me in on the details:

Originally this project vehicle was designed for the purpose of the Mega Meet and advertising for the dealership. The main goal of this project was to be able to showcase what we here at JM Lexus could do in house...we are excited to be able to make our Lexus customers get their own unique/personalized vehicles all done in house.

What's more, the IS 350 was sold long before it made its Mega Meet debut, selling for a price of $96,000 (!!!). (Of course, looking at the full list of mods minimizes the sticker shock quite a bit.)

For the full effect, Anthony was also kind enough to send me a number of photos, including some taken during the build:

High Dynamic Range Imaging, or HDR Photography, is the process of layering multiple images with different exposures, which creates a vivid and otherworldly image.

It's all the rage with digital photographers, including Flickr user NikonNikk, who applied the process to the Lexus LF-A (Be sure to click through and see it full-size):

It always amazes me just how creative people can be taking photos in such a controlled space. Fantastic.

Kicking Tires' Ian Merritt put together a really nice photoshoot of the Lexus IS-F, here's a sample:

The Smoky Granite Mica is such a non-descript color, it really turns down the volume on the IS-F's styling. (I'd almost say it's my favorite exterior color for the model, but I have yet to see a couple colors up close.)

Speaking of the Project IS-F concept, I've been meaning to post this photo from Flickr user artistmg for some time now:

I would have thought I'd be long past posting images of this car, but every once and a while an image jumps out at me. The Project IS-F looks especially wide here, and all the more like a set piece for the new Batman movie.