Only 1,000 produced...
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Driver School Candidate
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Only 1,000 produced...
This can't be true can it? Seems way to low to me. I can only imagine the markups if this happens. Thoughts?
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/l...or-u-s-market/
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/l...or-u-s-market/
For those of you looking to get your hands on one of the unholy organic IS-F sedans, you'd better act soon, as Lexus has decided to limit production of its 400-hp sports saloon to a paltry 1,000 units, or so says AutoWeek.
Autoweek reported the news in two issues back, although production numbers weren't mentioned in the Lexus press release when the IS-F debuted in Detroit.
As a reminder, the Lexus IS-F sedan is powered by a 5.0-liter V8, matched to an eight-speed, paddle-shifted transmission, good for sprints to 60 in a tic under five seconds. We've already discussed the aesthetic, um, challenges that the IS-F presents, but if BMW doesn't decide to offer a four-door version of its new M3, enthusiasts will at least have another option.
Autoweek reported the news in two issues back, although production numbers weren't mentioned in the Lexus press release when the IS-F debuted in Detroit.
As a reminder, the Lexus IS-F sedan is powered by a 5.0-liter V8, matched to an eight-speed, paddle-shifted transmission, good for sprints to 60 in a tic under five seconds. We've already discussed the aesthetic, um, challenges that the IS-F presents, but if BMW doesn't decide to offer a four-door version of its new M3, enthusiasts will at least have another option.
It wouldn't make sense to go to production with only $50M in gross sales annually. That would be a lot less than the last Supra and this is a four door with much broader appeal than a 2+2.
I agree with the post on my.is. They mixed up production numbers with the LF-A.
I agree with the post on my.is. They mixed up production numbers with the LF-A.
The IS-F should match that at least, as performance freaks who buy V8s (hybrid or not) want a car that handles superbly, unlike the GS450h. We can only hypothesize that the IS-F will be significantly much more performance oriented...
By the way, how many M3 are sold in the U.S. every year?
Lead Lap
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Yup, the GS450h was limited to 2000 units.
The IS-F should match that at least, as performance freaks who buy V8s (hybrid or not) want a car that handles superbly, unlike the GS450h. We can only hypothesize that the IS-F will be significantly much more performance oriented...
By the way, how many M3 are sold in the U.S. every year?
The IS-F should match that at least, as performance freaks who buy V8s (hybrid or not) want a car that handles superbly, unlike the GS450h. We can only hypothesize that the IS-F will be significantly much more performance oriented...
By the way, how many M3 are sold in the U.S. every year?
CL Community Team
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From: Canada
Yup, the GS450h was limited to 2000 units.
The IS-F should match that at least, as performance freaks who buy V8s (hybrid or not) want a car that handles superbly, unlike the GS450h. We can only hypothesize that the IS-F will be significantly much more performance oriented...
By the way, how many M3 are sold in the U.S. every year?
The IS-F should match that at least, as performance freaks who buy V8s (hybrid or not) want a car that handles superbly, unlike the GS450h. We can only hypothesize that the IS-F will be significantly much more performance oriented...
By the way, how many M3 are sold in the U.S. every year?
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Lexus Connoisseur
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From: USA
Our friend Jruhi4, Editor from my.IS already reported on this...
Originally Posted by jruhi4 my.is
Subscribers and readers of the print edition of the January 22, 2007 issue of AutoWeek magazine were surely flabbergasted to read, on page 22, these excerpts from their short blurb on the Lexus IS-F from their 2007 Detroit Auto Show coverage: "The car has a top speed of 200 mph...Toyota will build less than 1000 for the United States." While we fervently wish such performance and exclusivity were, indeed, true (especially at the rumored $50,000 price), don't count on it. My.IS member (and ClubLexus editor) Flipside909, who attended the Detroit Auto Show press conference for the IS-F world debut, had an opportunity to ask Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter, among many other things, the projected top speed for the Lexus IS-F. Mr. Carter replied that, while this is one of many specifications that have not yet been finalized, the goal was 160 mph. There is certainly strong logic for this number, since no Japanese carmaker subscribes to the German sedan makers' (and, probably, Jaguar's) informal, gentlemen's agreement on a 250 km/h (155 mph) top speed. From that to a 200 mph top speed, however, stretches credibility. Even mega-sedans whose makers don't subscribe to the 155 mph gentlemen's agreement, such as the Maserati Quattroporte and Bentley Continental Flying Spur don't quite hit the 200 mph bogey. And there surely has to be demand for more than 1000 IS-Fs a year. The only rational explanation for all this, of course, is an editing error by the folks at AutoWeek where those top speed and production numbers were for the production version of the Lexus LF-A supercar but accidentally wound up in the IS-F section. Keep an eye out for the next print issue (or the one after that) of AutoWeek, where surely a publisher's or errors note to that effect should clarify all this.
Pole Position
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Lexus Fanatic
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That autoweek article is wrong. As already posted on my.is, that article likely mixed up the IS-F and LF-A. One simple thing proves the article wrong: the IS-F will not have a 200mph top speed, because the gauges don't go that high:
The top speed of the IS-F will be between 160 - 180 mph. Now some of you may recall that in testing, Toyota took an IS350 to a top speed of 165mph. It's certainly possible the IS-F will be capable of 200mph, but likely it will be limited to 160 - 180 mph. Mind you, that still is a very fast speed.
The top speed of the IS-F will be between 160 - 180 mph. Now some of you may recall that in testing, Toyota took an IS350 to a top speed of 165mph. It's certainly possible the IS-F will be capable of 200mph, but likely it will be limited to 160 - 180 mph. Mind you, that still is a very fast speed.
Yeah it is a misprint, 420 HP is not remotely enough to push a car to 200 mph.....
Even 500 HP M5 and E55/E63 are barely able to get close to 200 mph, I think at least 550 HP is needed to touch 200 mph.
That article is for the 500+HP LF-A.
I am with everyone, the IS-F is good for 175~180 mph. That last 20 mph needs a tons of extra power to make it happen.
Even 500 HP M5 and E55/E63 are barely able to get close to 200 mph, I think at least 550 HP is needed to touch 200 mph.
That article is for the 500+HP LF-A.
I am with everyone, the IS-F is good for 175~180 mph. That last 20 mph needs a tons of extra power to make it happen.
Lexus Connoisseur
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From: USA
Autoweek has gotten the same exact info as the rest of the regular media as well as myself at the release. My contacts are more authentic as they are direct from the source. I actually met the Autoweek writer in Detroit it was a lady...I forgot her name but she's been in the industry for a very long time. I was introduced to her while we were waiting to board the shuttle to the convention center right before the Press Release. Most of the mass media were staying at the same hotel we were at (Marriott @ The Rennaisance Center). Of course all media will speculate on anything to get attention. That's what their game is all about, the first for attention and bragging rights.
Lexus Connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,885
Likes: 604
From: USA
That autoweek article is wrong. As already posted on my.is, that article likely mixed up the IS-F and LF-A. One simple thing proves the article wrong: the IS-F will not have a 200mph top speed, because the gauges don't go that high:
The top speed of the IS-F will be between 160 - 180 mph. Now some of you may recall that in testing, Toyota took an IS350 to a top speed of 165mph. It's certainly possible the IS-F will be capable of 200mph, but likely it will be limited to 160 - 180 mph. Mind you, that still is a very fast speed.
The top speed of the IS-F will be between 160 - 180 mph. Now some of you may recall that in testing, Toyota took an IS350 to a top speed of 165mph. It's certainly possible the IS-F will be capable of 200mph, but likely it will be limited to 160 - 180 mph. Mind you, that still is a very fast speed.
Pole Position
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From: CA
It will be a cool car but let's face it, sales will be low.
Those that can afford it will want a larger car.
For the same price they can get a GS. Granted it won't handle like an IS, but the interior will wow people to buying the GS over an IS with no backseat.
Those that can afford it will want a larger car.
For the same price they can get a GS. Granted it won't handle like an IS, but the interior will wow people to buying the GS over an IS with no backseat.