RON430

Hi everyone. I am normally on the GS board but I posted this over there and seeing as how it also has some interesting IS (and RX and LS) info, thought you might be interested.


AutoCar Sept. 26, 2001

Lexus plots an M3 Rival

Super IS may get 326bhp engine from Toyota Supra

"Lexus is planning to build high-powered versions of its models in a bid to crack the increasingly lucrative everyday supercar market currently dominated by BMW and Jaguar.

Spurred on by parent Toyota's enthusiasm for its new T-Sport performance range (see sidebar) Lexus plans to set up an in-house tuning arm that will produce rivals not only to M BMWs, but Mercedes AMGs and planned R variants from Jaguar.

Earmarked for the high-power makeover are IS and GS models, producing rivals for the M3 and M5, but Lexus hasn't ruled out a massive power injection for the LS limo and RX off-roader as well.

Power sources are still under disucssion, but Lexus UK product manager Robert Frost said the 326 bhp straight six bi-turbo from the discontinued Toyota Supra is a candidate for the so-called Super IS.

Plans for the hot GS engine are sketchy, but one possibliity is a heavily tuned version of the 283bhp V8 used in the GS430.

However, the IS's chief engineer, Nobukai Katayama, is not committed to a turbo. 'It could also be a high revs, or a large displacement engine,' he said.

Katayama drives a modified IS using the same high-rev four cylinder 2.0 engine that sits in the Lexus BTCC racing car.

Toyota engineers last year built a one-off supercharged IS that won praise from all quarters including Autocar. However, despite a storming 0-60mph time of 7.1 sec., Lexus insiders said it didn't meet the company's legendary quality standards.'

Nick Gibbs

Sidebar

T-Cars

"Toyota, Lexus's parent company, is also pepping up its new T-Sport brand.

The new Corolla, on sale in January 2002, will be joined that same month by a hot 189bhp, six-speed T-sport version.

The new Avensis, due in spring 2003, is likely to be next in line for T-Sport treatment, alongside performance Corolla, Yaris and Celica models.

Toyota's Matthew Harrison said: 'T-Sport is an affordable sports package with extra power and subtle styling tweaks. There are no firm plans yet, but we are looking at more extreme versions, especially as we are entering Formula One."

LexyISherName

that would be really cool...wow

blownIS200

this is quite old news now in the UK, Toyota europe was asked to put forward proposals for model development(this is where the pic of the IS200 COUPE comes from) the supra powered idea was cut imediatley by Toyota japan,but the supercharger idea was left,(this is the supercharger i have fitted) for TTE to develop,LEXUS UK/TOYOTA GB are still pushing for a M3 beater as Rover are about to reveal a 475 bhp 75 Model,fitted with a mustang engine,so Lexus UK feels it has a legitimate cause...................................lets hope so

RON430

blownIS200 - Thanks very much for the input. Might put it into a bit better perspective. Sounds like the SC IS was a while ago and they are talking about the GS as well as other models but I appreciate your input that it is routine old news from standard Lexus inquiries and probably indicative of nothing. Too bad.

blownIS200

it is a shame , however lets see if somthing does happen,what i do know is TTE are working on superchargers for ALL toyota/lexus models sold within europe,so thats everything from the Yaris,Corrola,IS200/300,GS(range),LS(range)SC and RX