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As the revised 2009 Lexus IS makes its way from Japan to North America and, finally, to Europe, it may seem redundant to feature yet another front Page article on the subject. After all, the 2009 Lexus IS mid-life minor facelift and changes have been the subject of not one, but two my.IS Front Page stories that were, in fact, advanced "scoops" when they first appeared. These were followed by a story listing, in exhaustive detail, the precise changes made for '09. Yet, a glance at articles that have recently appeared on both AutoblogGreen and Autocar reveal that several unique changes have occurred in the United Kingdom that merit yet another my.IS article.
In a market where vehicle fees, duties and taxes are partly based on CO2 emissions, a drop in the latter for the 2009 Lexus IS220d diesel translates into pocketbook savings as well. To be more precise, CO2... [Read More]
In stark and jarring contrast with the year 2005, when the separate world debuts of the Lexus IS 250 (at Geneva) and, the following month, of its larger-engined brother, the IS 350 (in New York) rated separate press releases and conferences, what should've been the world debut, in Los Angeles, of the Lexus IS 350C...wasn't. Granted, it's understandable that Lexus wanted to focus on the world debut of the 3rd-generation RX crossover SUV, but not only did they fail to mention the IS C at all, but they seemingly brought the very same Matador Red Mica exterior and Alpine White interior IS 250C (or an identical twin) that debuted at the Paris Auto Show 1½ months earlier.
Perhaps this author is making much ado about nothing, given that the badge is the only true external difference between the IS 250C and the IS 350C (as is the case with their sedan counterparts), but we were hoping to also see a different color combination, perhaps even IS C-specific exterior colo(u)rs, as well as more detailed specifications and pricing information. It appears, though, that Lexus is holding back until calendar year 2009, possibly in conjunction with the Detroit (January), Chicago (February) or New York (April) Auto Shows.
Our thanks to my.IS IS F and California Forums Moderator Flipside909 for allowing us the use... [Read More]
As has become our custom here at my.IS, we bring you the latest updates and information from Consumer Reports' twice-yearly (April Auto Issue and November New Car Preview) issues devoted solely to automotive consumer and reliability information. This year, we also featured an article on August's 2009 New Car Preview that, in retrospect, added relatively little to the new information that usually comes in the April and November issues.
The November 2008 special issue, which bears the Best & Worst for '09 title, focuses solely on the 2nd-generation Lexus IS. The first piece of information we find is a general Predicted Reliability chart on Upscale Cars revealing the following results (all percentages are approximate):
1) Lexus IS250 (RWD) (60% better than average)
2) Acura TSX (2008) (55% better than average)
3) Lexus IS250 (AWD) (50% better than average)
4) (tie) Acura TL (2008) & Infiniti G35 Sedan (RWD) (45% better than average)
5) (tie) Lexus IS350 and Lincoln MKZ (FWD) (40% better than average)
The November 2008 Fuel Economy ratings are essentially the same as they were in August, except that the top-ranked Toyota Prius has now been moved to a Wagons & Hatchbacks category separate from Sedans. In that... [Read More]
It all started with a simple, offhand remark to Justin Hood, Lexus' IS F Launch Manager, at the carmaker's SEMA show stand, about how several my.IS members, in threads on the IS F and 2nd-Gen IS250/IS350 Go Faster Forums expressed their consternation at the rear exhaust location of the twin turbos used in the Fox Marketing and Artisan Performance Lexus IS F. To this author's surprise, Justin whipped out his cell phone, made a phone call and, within a couple of minutes, Brian Fox (of namesake Fox Marketing, and pictured above right) and Artisan's Kenny Strickler (pictured above left) walked in. I knew right then that I had to muster my best notetaking and improvisational questioning skills, for Justin had handed me a minor journalistic scoop with no advance warning or preparation. They don't call it thinking on your feet for nothing...
This author cut to the chase and asked about the logic behind the twin turbos' location. Brian Fox sheepishly admitted that the promise of twin turbos had been made strictly as a marketer, and for the "it sounds good on the spec sheet" impact, while Kenny Strickler half-jokingly threatened to kill... [Read More]
A number of Lexus ISs set up for drifting have been the subject of past my.IS Front Page stories, from the HKS Drift Altezza to the late Team Lexus' efforts to the Driftmasterz IS300 to the Team Falken Lexus IS350 Drift Car. Now, via a story from The Passionate Pursuit blog comes word of WedsSport's Lexus IS 350 D1GP drift car. WedsSport's car follows the pattern set by the Team Falken Lexus IS350 Drift Car in the way it mates the 2nd-generation Lexus IS bodywork with a modified 2JZ-GTE 3-liter inline 6 engine from a Toyota Supra Turbo.
It's no secret that Lexus' major debut for the January 2009 Detroit Auto Show will be a dedicated front-wheel-drive, hybrid-only model. Beyond that, however, all other information is, at this point, informed speculation. That hasn't stopped Japan's Mag-X from coming up with what they feel is the inside scoop on this upcoming model, complete with renderings.
The exterior rendering (shown at the top of this story) looks like the offspring of a Toyota Prius and a Lexus IS. Although most likely a rebodied 3rd-generation Prius, the possibility that there is some Toyota Avensis/Scion tC in that platform as well cannot be ruled out. An educated guess of what the interior might look like is featured as well (and shown at the lower right of this article).
The original Mag-X article comes to us via a thread on the VW Vortex forums, which, in turn, led to an AutoblogGreen article by Sam Abuelsamid. One of the most interesting bits of information is the suggested model name of HS250h. Those of you with long memories may recall that, coincidentally (or not?), HS was suggested by this author as a possible model... [Read More]
For this author, at least, the biggest surprise is the Lexus IS 350 with F-Sport Accessories. That understated description led us to believe it was simply a garden-variety Lexus IS 350 with the full spectrum of F-Sport Accessories that have been so familiar to us for the past year or so. Instead, the picture at the top of this story reveals a couple of unexpected pleasant surprises. The most prominent of these is the stunning PPG Vibrance Orange Glow 3-stage paint with satin accents, which we'd love to see available (even without the 3-stage and satin accents components) in regular production versions of the current Lexus IS as a homage to Auburn Sky Pearl and the other vibrant colors offered in the 1st-generation Lexus IS, and as a complement to the IS F's Ultrasonic Blue Pearl. Beyond the paint lies yet another bit of news: a four-piece ground-effects body kit and grille by Five Axis. Unfortunately,... [Read More]
Grand Am racing has released its 2009 racing schedule for the Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototypes, which include the 2008 series champion Chip Ganassi Racing with Félix Sabatés #01 TELMEX Lexus/Riley co-driven by Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas. At this point, it is uncertain (but appears to be unlikely) that the Southard Motorsports team and their #3 Lexus/Riley will return for the 2009 season.
Here is what the schedule looks like:
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January Daytona International Speedway
Daytona Beach, Florida
24 hours
Date to be determined Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
Mexico City, Mexico
1000 kilometers or 6 hours
Sunday 26 April Virginia International Raceway
Alton, Virginia
250 miles
Sunday 3 May New Jersey Motorsports Park
Millville, New Jersey
250 miles
Sunday 17 May Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Monterey, California
250 miles
Saturday 6 June Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen, New York
6 hours
Saturday 20 June Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Lexington, Ohio
250 miles [Read More]
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As the revised 2009 Lexus IS makes its way from Japan to North America and, finally, to Europe, it may seem redundant to feature yet another front Page article on the subject. After all, the 2009 Lexus IS mid-life minor facelift and changes have been the subject of not 
In stark and jarring contrast with the year 2005, when the separate world debuts of the Lexus IS 250 (at Geneva) and, the following month, of its larger-engined brother, the IS 350 (in New York) rated separate press releases and conferences, what should've been the world debut, in Los Angeles, of the Lexus IS 350C...wasn't. Granted, it's understandable that Lexus wanted to focus on the world debut of the 3rd-generation RX crossover SUV, but not only did they fail to mention the IS C at all, but they seemingly brought the very same Matador Red Mica exterior and Alpine White interior IS 250C (or an identical twin) that debuted at the Paris Auto Show 1½ months earlier.
It all started with a simple, offhand remark to Justin Hood, Lexus' IS F Launch Manager, at the carmaker's SEMA show stand, about how several my.IS members, in threads on the 
A number of Lexus ISs set up for drifting have been the subject of past my.IS Front Page stories, from the 
It's no secret that Lexus' major debut for the January 2009 Detroit Auto Show will be a dedicated front-wheel-drive, hybrid-only model. Beyond that, however, all other information is, at this point, informed speculation. That hasn't stopped Japan's Mag-X from coming up with what they feel is the inside scoop on this upcoming model, complete with renderings.
Since our last Front Page stories on 
Grand Am racing has released its 2009 racing schedule for the Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototypes, which include the 2008 series champion Chip Ganassi Racing with Félix Sabatés #01 TELMEX Lexus/Riley co-driven by Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas. At this point, it is uncertain (but appears to be unlikely) that the Southard Motorsports team and their #3 Lexus/Riley will return for the 2009 season.