Lexus IS500 spotted in a Japanese Magazine!

looks alot like a BMW M-car

— hobbes974 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/9/2006 10:51:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I agree with efox, as this looks cloned from other manufactures (BMW/Audi). Toyota should come up with some original concepts regarding this mrkt segment.

— BavarianMotorrad (View Profile)

Posted on 8/9/2006 10:58:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I think it looks great, but it is a blatant rip off of BMW styling. Almost looks like a Mini M5 from that angle. They need to get their own design and make it original.

— phantom330 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/9/2006 12:15:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

You cannot argue the numbers:
You cannot argue the numbers.
3640lbs.
405 lb/torque
420 hp
Power to wt. ratio of 8.6 lb/hp
These are awesome numbers from a manufacturer with the top quality control in the automotive business: Lexus

And to efoxSR:

Please don't think the RS4's smaller displacement producing the same power is a plus.

The larger Lexus V8 achieves 405lb/ft of torque at only 3800rpm compared to the RS4 317lb at 6000 rpm.

The IS500 achieves 420hp at 5800 rpm whereas the RS4 achieves the same hp at a heady 7500 rpm.

It is hard to beat displacement.

The next generation M3 specifics will be known shortly but it appears that BMW is using a smaller displacement V8 with at least 400 hp. The particulars will be of interest when revealed at the Paris auto show in Sept of this year.

Best Wishes to all.

— shiftright (View Profile)

Posted on 8/9/2006 12:30:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Sorry for you I am MB and BMW fan but Lexus create the rear end before BMW, so the Bimer coupe is the copy guys.

— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/9/2006 1:08:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

can toyota/lexus copy the bmw and it's M-styling any more?



wow. talk about jipping. this is why i'd never buy a lexus, nothing original about it. why buy a good copy when you can get the original piece for not much more?

— mostafa (View Profile)

Posted on 8/9/2006 1:45:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

audi RS4 wt= 3950 lbs
wt/power ratio: 9.4

IS500 ratio: 8.6

But more significantly, not only is the IS500 carrying less weight per hp, the power (hp AND TORQUE) are available at significantly lower rpms and this should translate to better acceleration figures for the IS. The real difference is the substantially higher torque and the acceleration numbers should be very interestiing to say the least. :-)

— shiftright (View Profile)

Posted on 8/9/2006 2:38:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Calm down people. It will probably have a smaller engine, there have been manly reports of a 4.6 liter engine. Even if it does, there is no need to worry. The next generation RS4 will come with the big V10 of 5.2 liters with a lot more horsepower. No need to get so excited Lexus fans, a newer car will always have more power. Lets see the IS500 get a 0-60 time of 4.3 (it might) but lets not get carried away, no one has even seen the car.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/9/2006 3:20:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Take a look at this.

http://www.netcarshow.com/lexus/2006-is350/800x600/wallpaper_10.htm

Also, it will be hard to get 420 hp out of 5 liters at such low rpm, therefore it won't be getting all of that torque either. The HEMI has less torque with a lot more displacement and it gets its torque at about the same RPM (4,000) Now, lets look at the Lexus 3.5 liter V6 (very good engine): it has 306 hp @ 6,400 RPM. That is about the same hp per liter as the proposed 5 liter engine, but at higher RPM. How about torque, 3.5 liter gets 277 pounds @ 4,800 RPM (yes, that is 1,000 higher RPM than the proposed 5 liter engine) If you take the 3.5 liter engine's torque and enlarge it to 5 liters you will get 395. This 5 liter engine either CAN'T get 420 hp and 405 pound feet of torque, OR it will get its horsepower @ about 6,500 RPM and it's torque @ about 5,000 RPM. To be continued, next I will list some other engines in the same displacement class, that don't achieve numbers that great. The people who wrote the article should have used some common sense. If Lexus does achieve this numbers, then more power to them, but right now my BS factor is @ about 8.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/9/2006 3:54:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Did I make too much sense for the Lexus/Toyota lovers.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/9/2006 7:35:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

MB will be in the power race with the C63. Donde estan los amigos de Lexus? They still haven't comented on the fake engine nubmers (RPM)

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/9/2006 11:56:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

"They need to get their own design and make it original."

To what... to sell thousands of cars? I don't think so.

— crackityjones (View Profile)

Posted on 8/10/2006 1:26:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Photoshop of existing IS350 photo. Note lack of 'stacked' exhaust pipes, and BMW wheels.

And remember, power is all well and good, but you need handling and driver involvement for it to trump the RS4 and M3.

And lets not forget the new C63 AMG will have enough power to pull the moon.

— Matthew1 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/10/2006 2:48:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The C55 AMG was fun to drive: in a different way than the BMW M3.

I am sure the IS500 will have it's charms, but until they offer a manual or an SMG, you can't really consider it an M3 competitor. Same deal with the AMG C-Class.

In fact, the IS500 should be more of a C-Class AMG rival. They both place emphasis on power and comfort with a high degree of sport, but not as much sport as BMW or Audi emphasizes.

— BMW530i (View Profile)

Posted on 8/10/2006 8:25:28 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

crackityjones...........are you serious? Okay, well let's just copy a manufacturer who has been successful in this market, that guarantees success. How lame. As I said, I think it looks good, but only because it looks like a BMW. It's like buying a fake Rolex, it might look the same, but that's about it.

— phantom330 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/10/2006 10:29:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Lexus needs to be renamed, Fauxlex.

Can anyone say "BOOTLEG"?

— AUDIMAN4 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/10/2006 10:59:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I just wanted to post this comment for all the German lover idiots. What is it with Lexus looking like BMW or Mercs comments?..If you saw an IS on the road, would you say it looks like a BMW? NO!..does the front end look like a BMW, NO!..It's just common sense..They're not trying to copy any carmakers, they're just trying to compete.

— SSP350 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/10/2006 12:03:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

SSP350

You are partially right, the IS itself doesn't look like a BMW/MB, it actually looks better than the C class or the 3 series. But this pumped up version borrows some styling cues from the M3 like the side vents, which look very obviously copied. The wheels look like they are from the S4 ( I know those are "generic" BBS wheels but Audi put them standard first) of course this is just a pshop and it might look different in real life. It still looks like Lexus lovers have finally understood that the performance numbers on the engine were "fake".

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/10/2006 12:21:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

The IS500 is nice but it's not my style it looks to soft. The German cars look more aggressive. If a smart buyer is looking for a sport luxury car doesn't it make sense to buy an Audi, BMW, MB, or Porsche. Why would the buyer consider something that is second tier to the original bunch? And please don't say reliability, just try driving the IS500 for two hours at 130 mph and see how reliable it really is. Lexus while trying to compete which is a good for all of us, are more like a fish out of water. It will be very difficult to get respect among the hard core drivers because the hardcore drivers know what they are looking for and the Germans can deliver it consistently. It will take some time for Lexus to get that kind of respect from the hardcore drivers. And the IS500 is a start but they have a long way to go.

— BM3W (View Profile)

Posted on 8/10/2006 12:37:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

What is a "hardcore" driver? Hardcore can be defined as stubbornly resistant to change or improvement - look it up. Is that a good thing? Having said that, I must admit - I am a bit pessimistic about this car being a better driver's car than a BMW/MB/Audi, based solely on previous Lexus offerings. It looks good on paper, but things change once a car goes up for sale. I'm not saying this car will be any better or any worse than a BMW or Audi, but why so much hatred towards a car that no one has even seen in the flesh?

— ElSparquito (View Profile)

Posted on 8/10/2006 1:30:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

At last, after all these years since it's beginning in 1989, Lexus is finally entering the high performance saloon market. I know you're gonna have all these guys on here that are already making tons of comments that it won't drive like a BMW, Audi, Etc.....

At this point, no one really knows what it drives like. But one thing is for sure, it will be an exciting car. The Lexus IS500 isn't just the first high performance sedan from Lexus, but the first from any Japanese car company. Based on Lexus hallmarks such as superb quality, reliability, and fit/finish this will definitely be one car to watch.

I recall in May of 2003, Car and Driver magazine had an adrenaline pumped issue where they tested ALL the german high performance sedans. In the next issue, some reader asked, "Why have the Japanese left the Germans unchallenged in the high end sports sedan sedan segment? With all the technology and R&D the Japanese possess, they can certainly match the Germans if they wanted to. The NSX proved that a decade ago."
Well buddy, I guess the Lexus IS500 will be the first car to put your question to rest.

— Dave (View Profile)

Posted on 8/10/2006 1:45:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

ElSparquito.....

My definition of a hardcore drivers are the ones who are willing to cross the limit to find the limit. Audi, BMW, MB, or Porsche puts you at that driving limit with a smile from ear to ear. Lexus does not provide a product that handles remotly similar to the Germans Autos. Like I said they are new to the game, and they have a steep hill to climb to provide the kind of driving experience you get from the Luxury German Autos.

— BM3W (View Profile)

Posted on 8/10/2006 2:14:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

This is fake...

The car should be moving!! Why would the car be dead stop on the roadway...?

— BMWracer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/10/2006 2:17:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

BM3W, it is not a smart thing to make sweeping generalizations about facts that we have only limited information on.
You say:
Audi, BMW, MB, or Porsche puts you at that driving limit with a smile.....

Well, you can say that about some BMWs and most Porsches and a few Audi cars I guess. I never thought all of these were enthusiast cars, certainly MB is not known for making enthusiast oriented cars.

Where would you put drivers of exotic cars if drivers of MB are hard core?

— shiftright (View Profile)

Posted on 8/10/2006 5:41:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

wont be on the uk market till 2008

— Turner (View Profile)

Posted on 8/11/2006 8:09:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

shiftright.....

The post is not about exotic cars it's about
Toyato/Lexus being a me too car company. And riding on the coat tail of the 4 German Luxury car
manufactures. I'm not making a sweeping generalization. It's true. All 4 German car manufactures has vehicle in their line up that can make your heart skip a beat. So what you saying is MB AMG is not a drivers car? And Audi RS4 is not a drivers car the BMW M6 is not drivers car and the Porsche 911 is not a drivers car? And there are many more that I've not mentioned. The Germans make are the best and Lexus should come up with their own ideas.

— BM3W (View Profile)

Posted on 8/11/2006 11:39:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I really hope that Lexus doesn't come out with the IS500 looking like that. I'd like to see the following changes on the production model:

1. Different name. IS500 isn't sporty, you need an "M" or an "AMG" type edition.

2. Different side vent, I love seeing vents to diffirentate the car, but make it unique to lexus.

3. Different wheels. DO NOT USE UGLY BBS Wheels.

4. Exclusive colors, make the IS500 a super exclusive car where everyone will notice from the others.

5. Manual transmission. You HAVE to make a manual option if you want this car to be an M3 killer.

6. Sport suspension and bucket seats. Its a sport edition, make it track ready.

— caffeinetrip (View Profile)

Posted on 8/11/2006 4:37:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Toyota lexus can compare with BMW, that new IS500 cant compare with the new M3dinan supercharged with 463Hp. This M3dinan supercharged would bit that smoked out of IS500

— M6sweettride (View Profile)

Posted on 8/11/2006 6:12:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Toyota lexus cant compare with BMW. That new M3dinan supercharged has 463hp this car will blow off the doors of the new IS500

— M6sweettride (View Profile)

Posted on 8/11/2006 6:15:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Also BMW has the M3 gtr that would be that new IS500 or C63 AMG and also the RS4

— M6sweettride (View Profile)

Posted on 8/11/2006 7:04:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

BM3W Run the Lexus at 130 mph for 2 hours ? I bet you the Lexus will still run & in fact run for 15 yrs & still be going. BMW's & specially Audi's will have problems w/in it's 1st year running 55 mph. No need to hit 100's. You call the Lexus a fake Rolex ? I know that fake Rolex's break easily that's why they're fake. What do you think is a fake, a Lexus that will run forever or a Euro car that hits the repair shop like a Ford?

— foxboro (View Profile)

Posted on 8/11/2006 9:21:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

BMWexpert the 330i you took on the track was it fitted with any anti-sway bars or a strut tower brace (or any other suspension mods)? While you didn't mention it a stock 330i will definitely roll/sway through a hard turn without these suspension mods. I know something about the driving characteristics between a stock E46 versus a modified one and let's just leave it at that because it's like night and day.

The sports driving characteristics you get from a German made sports car today are superior to the current offerings from Lexus (no argument here) in the form of the IS350 and probably the future IS500 too although to a lesser degree if the 500 is tuned correctly. Today's German cars have this bragging right since they have tweaked their "drive" long before Lexus/Toyota began to give this some serious attention. Nevertheless in time Lexus (and other competitors) will narrow this gap if trends hint at things to come.

If and when a company like Lexus were to narrow this gap so as to equal or exceed a German make in the driving dynamics department, then Lexus will have some serious bragging rights as a "complete" sports car. Lexus is already the leader in areas such as reliability, techno wizardry, fit and finish, customer service, customer satisfaction, and so forth. Once they conquer the final frontier, the "drive," then German cars will have some serious catching up to do in other areas where Lexus is the benchmark. If this is what the future holds for Lexus, then what a different car world it will be.

— nextGen (View Profile)

Posted on 8/15/2006 10:34:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1