Edmunds is reporting that an IS convertible concept will be shown at the Detroit Auto Show in January. They say this will be much closer to production than the LF-C. It will also have a 5.0-liter V8 with 450hp.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=108126

 

Ihope they dont build that I cant imagine an IS convertible.

 

I like the 5.0-liter V8 with 450-hp. If true, & without the ugly tail of the LF-C, it may be a good enough candidate to replace the SC

 

I doubt that Lexus will make the IS convertible with the LF-A concept engine. It will make the IS nice and powerful, but it will cheapen the "exoticness" of the LF-C.

Why pay $100k for the LF-A when you can get the same performance from a est. $60k IS?

 

It's the LF-A that's the reportedly $100k supercar(exotic ?) with a V10 from Lexus, NOT the LF-C

 

Wouldn't this be the M3 Killer we are expecting?

This would allow Lexus to go against both the coupe and convertible M3 with a single configuration.

 

In two months we'll see (or so the "sources" say).

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=108126

Detroit Show: Lexus to Show IS Cabrio/Coupe Concept in Motown
Date Posted 11-22-2005

TOKYO — Lexus is ready to spring the next development in the compact IS story, according to sources in Japan.

North America has already welcomed the impressive new 2006 IS 250 and IS 350 sport sedans. But at January's Detroit show, Lexus will unveil a concept teaser pointing to a sleek and different new IS coupe/cabrio, sources say.

A successor to the U.S.-designed LF-C concept displayed at the 2004 New York Auto Show, the Detroit 2006 IS concept is much closer to production, it's said, and points to what will be appearing in U.S. showrooms in August 2007.

Complete with power-operated top, the Detroit car reportedly packs a 5.0-liter V8 with 450-hp output. This will be a bored-out version of the 4.6-liter V8 from the new Lexus LS 460 premier sedan, which will have its official production launch at Detroit. Lexus is also tipped to be readying an IS 500 sedan to target the likes of the Mercedes C55 AMG and BMW M3.

What this means to you: A cool new Lexus IS coupe/cabrio sounds perfect for the United States, and a lusty 5.0-liter V8 sweetens the pot still further.

 

Woo hoo...finally things seem to be coming to be official and a reality. Can't wait to see how the IS will look in convertible form. A serious M3 killer must not be burdened with such extra weight as a hardtop convertible mechanism.

 

If this report is true, I can't see why they can't put the same engine into the IS sedan &/or regular coupe . . .

 

FUGEYYYYEESEEESSSSS !

 

Thanks for the correction! My bad...

I still think that it will be a mistake for Lexus to introduce the IS with the same engine as the LF-A if the LF-A does go into production. Yes, it will kill the M3, but also the LF-A. It's best to get rid of the IS250, upgrade the IS engine to the IS460 V8 and hybrid, but not the V10 as stated in the article.

 

WOW....sounds good to me. August 2007 is when we are expecting the coupe convertible. Seems kinda long from now since they are introducing a true concept in 2 months. But with the GS450h, LS, ES, possibility of a reskinned RX all coming this year, I dont know how they would fit in the IS for an 06 luanch. just not enough room. I was thinking an early 07 luanch. We shall see.

 

I think you're mistaken again. There's nowhere in the article that says the IS500 will use the LF-A V10 engine. The article specifically says the IS500 will use a bored-out LS460 V8 engine.

 

Hope it looks like this....

 

This is going to be the new IS convertible? I was hoping for something with the same engines, maybe priced from upper 30s to low 50s. What about those of us who don't need a V-8?