torres

A preview on the new 420bhp high-performance IS500 model from Lexus. It gives a detailed insight on the features and performance of the 60.000$ car, the competition it will have to take (against BMW M3 (E90), Audi RS4, Mercedes C55 AMG), as well as a bit of Lexus IS history.

A nice gallery of high-res photos and artist's impressions accompany the article, make sure you check them out



"The new high-performance Lexus will be called IS500, will equip a 420 bhp V8 engine [...] will probably feature a detuned version of the 5.0L V8 currently in development for the LF-A supercar production version [...]"

Here's the whole article: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/lexus/l...w-ar12161.html

Tony1

Although Id love to have that v8 engine, Its def. not worth $20,000
more than the IS350..The new m3 will probably be cheaper, and IMO a
more desirable car...

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

new M3 wont be 60k, even the current gen M3 is near that loaded, throw in a V8 and many upgrades its going to approach the 70k+ RS4

carlos

iTrader: (1)

new M3 will start at a base of $55k.

thats a sweet article.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

so only a 5k increase for a new generation M3 over previous with a 400+ hp new V8, i highly doubt that

carlos

iTrader: (1)

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13089

uschardcor

loaded a new m3 is in the 65 66k range.

the is500 will pricewar the new m3, and will have two extra doors in a body that is almost a coupe.

oh yea and it won't break as much. i'd take the 500. although the m3 will easily have a bigger aftermarket following if 420hp isn't enough

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

because all of this is official just like all this official IS500 info, and you trust someone that has had 4 posts?

Check out all the options they nickel and dime you with its extremely stripped from the factory. Also its going to be fun handling over 400 hp on 265 tires, even the IS350 comes with tires 10mm width less with 100 less hp. Utterly disappointing if these specs turn out to be true

gshb

even near its end of production, there were no M3s that didnt come pretty much loaded with everything. M3s on dealer lots were going for 63k-67k, the latter price was for the new competition package. the MSRP is 48,900...i wouldnt be surprised if the new M3 came out to be more like 70k OR MORE. the new M5 went up in price by more than 20,000 (with dealer markup).

david_s

While the number of posts he/she has does not necessarily reflect the accuracy of information provided. I'm apt to take all information on 2008 models with a grain of salt. I am looking forward to seeing this come out but won't hang my hat on any of the specs just yet. IMHO

carlos

iTrader: (1)

i specifically said base price.

Trexus

It's a cool article but it's not official. There have been sights of the IS 500/hybrid being tested. Only time will tell if it will become reality. If it does I am looking forward to a new variant of the IS...

rominl

iTrader: (4)

the new m3 will be cheaper? baes price yes, but a m3 with decent options was already at 60k. and now with a v8, it will be more. the 60k price tag for the is500, i bet it already has more options than a base m3. my belief is still at comparable options, the is500 will be cheaper. and it has been the case for most lexus models