Here is a blurb on the upcoming V-8 IS, courtesy of Automobile Magazine, August 2006 issue just received.



2008 model to be released late 2007.

Sorry if this has been covered already, but the posts I've seen were speculation and this sounds pretty much like a done deal.

This should be a beast.

 

woo-hoo, no manual transmission

 

Nice... 8 speed auto, huh?

 

hopefully it's a true smg not a regular auto.

 

boo-hoo, no manual transmission

 

probably going to be the 8 speed from the LS460, hopefully they make the shifting quicker and more aggressive

Oh well if the no manual thing is true I wont feel bad for getting an 07 with the chance a 08 manual might come

 

Manual trannies are going to soon be a think of the past. Maybe not in the next decade, but they will eventually be gone. Even the new EVO X that's due out in 08 is not going to be a manual.

 

I prefer manual or a DSG type, but even AMG's don't offer manual transmission, so it's no surprise Lexus won't , oh well . . .

 

Not having a manual transmission is a let down, but I don't feel so
bad for getting my 350 now and not waiting for a manual.
I also don't feel so bad knowing that several powerful sports cars
only come with automatics including offerings from Mercedes and BMW.

 

IS-F?

Keep it IS with the engine displacement. "F" reminds me of Failure as in school grading.

Or perhaps Lexus can call it F-IS. Then the can call other "super-power" Lexus into the F-GS, or F-SC...

Nah... Keep it IS with the engine displacement.

 

"F" can also mean Fabulous or Fantastic too , but IS460 or IS500 sounds good to me.

 

I kind of hope this doesn't materialize, because I'm positive my wife won't let me trade in the IS350 for one! She wanted me to sign an agreement that I wouldn't ask for a new car for at least 5 years when we bought the IS350.

 

haha sucker

 

im gonna trade mine in for the new m3 unless this IS-F going to be handle-worthy unlike the 2IS.

 

Your wife is evil and should be brought to trial for spousal abuse...