USA Today: IS-F premiere in Japan
10-04-07, 03:07 AM
#1
Lexus Champion
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USA Today: IS-F premiere in Japan
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...portscar_N.htm
7,000 IS-F built a year...
5,000-6,000 allocated to U.S. (not that ridiculous 200 rumor)
$67,000 price
top speed 186 mph
Fastest Lexus ever: Toyota shows off new sportscar
By Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer
OYAMA, Japan — Toyota chose a swerving Formula One racing course to show its new luxury Lexus sportscar Thursday, to make sure reporters got the message the new IS F model is about revved up engine muscle and the thrill of nimble handling.
Toyota (TM) is planning to sell 7,000 Lexus IS F cars globally a year, about 5,000 or 6,000 in the U.S., 500 in Japan and the rest in Europe.
The $67,000 sportscar, which can hit speeds of 186 mph, rolls out Dec. 25 in Japan, and in February or March in the U.S., Toyota executive Takeshi Yoshida said. The car's official website pronounces it the "fastest Lexus ever."
Reporters were given helmets before getting into the IS F. Then professional drivers took reporters for two laps lasting just a few minutes on the Fuji Speedway race course, reaching 149 mph at one point.
As the sportscar careened to turn sharp corners, reporters swayed in their seats, holding tight, hearing the engine growl at high speeds and sensing the pavement sped by.
Executive Vice President Akio Toyoda, the usually suit-clad grandson of the Japanese automaker's founder, appeared in a black racing outfit and even was one of the test drivers for the event.
Toyoda, who oversees Japanese sales, acknowledged the Lexus needs time to grow into a "premium brand" in Japan, where the nameplate was introduced just three years ago.
"The Lexus must have the emotional factor of being exciting to drive," he said.
The IS F is a more powerful version of the Lexus IS, which is already on sale. The letter "F" added at the end of the IS F stands for "fun" as well as Fuji Speedway, said Toyoda.
Toyota officials said the new Lexus measures up in acceleration and other performance to popular German imports
By Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer
OYAMA, Japan — Toyota chose a swerving Formula One racing course to show its new luxury Lexus sportscar Thursday, to make sure reporters got the message the new IS F model is about revved up engine muscle and the thrill of nimble handling.
Toyota (TM) is planning to sell 7,000 Lexus IS F cars globally a year, about 5,000 or 6,000 in the U.S., 500 in Japan and the rest in Europe.
The $67,000 sportscar, which can hit speeds of 186 mph, rolls out Dec. 25 in Japan, and in February or March in the U.S., Toyota executive Takeshi Yoshida said. The car's official website pronounces it the "fastest Lexus ever."
Reporters were given helmets before getting into the IS F. Then professional drivers took reporters for two laps lasting just a few minutes on the Fuji Speedway race course, reaching 149 mph at one point.
As the sportscar careened to turn sharp corners, reporters swayed in their seats, holding tight, hearing the engine growl at high speeds and sensing the pavement sped by.
Executive Vice President Akio Toyoda, the usually suit-clad grandson of the Japanese automaker's founder, appeared in a black racing outfit and even was one of the test drivers for the event.
Toyoda, who oversees Japanese sales, acknowledged the Lexus needs time to grow into a "premium brand" in Japan, where the nameplate was introduced just three years ago.
"The Lexus must have the emotional factor of being exciting to drive," he said.
The IS F is a more powerful version of the Lexus IS, which is already on sale. The letter "F" added at the end of the IS F stands for "fun" as well as Fuji Speedway, said Toyoda.
Toyota officials said the new Lexus measures up in acceleration and other performance to popular German imports
5,000-6,000 allocated to U.S. (not that ridiculous 200 rumor)
$67,000 price
top speed 186 mph
10-04-07, 04:01 AM
#2
I was just about to post this.
I hope it is not $67k, it be the first Lexus to cost more then a BMW. I hope it be around $57k. Plus I hope seeing this is going to be a 2008 model. Lexus Canada will have the price sort of closer to the US price.
One thing this will be the fastest Lexus ever, until the LF-A comes out.
I hope it is not $67k, it be the first Lexus to cost more then a BMW. I hope it be around $57k. Plus I hope seeing this is going to be a 2008 model. Lexus Canada will have the price sort of closer to the US price.
One thing this will be the fastest Lexus ever, until the LF-A comes out.
Last edited by JessePS; 10-04-07 at 04:08 AM.
10-04-07, 06:09 AM
#3
Super Moderator
I hope the $67,000 price is converted from what they are selling them at home in Japan using the currently weak US$ exchange rate.
Even the Neiman Marcus special edition IS-F in the U.S. is "only" $68,000. A loaded regular version usually should be several thousand dollars less ...
Even the Neiman Marcus special edition IS-F in the U.S. is "only" $68,000. A loaded regular version usually should be several thousand dollars less ...
Last edited by Gojirra99; 10-04-07 at 08:47 AM.
10-04-07, 07:01 AM
#5
"The Lexus must have the emotional factor of being exciting to drive," he said.
10-04-07, 10:08 AM
#11
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A Little more detail on the J-spec version of the "F" and where they got the F-designation. Power is rated @ 417HP!!!!!!!
Enjoy the read
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/04/l...-hp-underhood/
Enjoy the read
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/04/l...-hp-underhood/
...heh
10-04-07, 11:01 AM
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I hope the $67,000 price is converted from what they are selling them at home in Japan using the currently weak US$ exchange rate.
Even the Neiman Marcus special edition IS-F in the U.S. is "only" $68,000. A loaded regular version usually should be several thousand dollars less ...
Even the Neiman Marcus special edition IS-F in the U.S. is "only" $68,000. A loaded regular version usually should be several thousand dollars less ...
10-04-07, 11:19 AM
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