BMW isn’t the only company coming up with a performance coupe, as Lexus has been recently spotted in Germany testing what appears to be a high performance coupe version of the new IS. A BMW M4 versus Lexus IS-F Coupe battle is on the cards, if Lexus uses the IS name for its upcoming coupe. It is not a given, as BMW and Audi use a bigger number (4-Series, A5 Coupe) for their coupes.
The idea of an IS Coupe is not new. Paris 2012 saw Lexus wheel out the LF-CC concept, a two-door sneak preview of the IS, which is now the new kid on the 3-Series’ block. That concept was a mix of sleek and sharp, and although we can’t see through the camo here, it should be as bold looking as the new IS.
This is no normal IS Coupe, though, and the F signs include an aggressive front end with large air intakes, a small hood scoop, sporty multi-spoke wheels, big brakes and a quad exhaust arrangement similar to that on the IS-F. There’s also a pop-up spoiler on the boot lid. Nothing regular about all those.
What’s under the bonnet is anyone’s guess – will Lexus persevere with a big naturally aspirated V8 engine (not easy to meet European emission regs this way), or will it go the downsizing route like the BMW M4? Click here to see the Lexus LF-CC Concept.
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of course it would be a naturally aspirated engine. i don’t expect Toyota or Lexus to shoehorn a turbo charged engine into the F.
why? Toyota / Lexus has always been about quality and they don’t have a tried and tested modern turbo engine that is suitable for the F.
So Lexus = Toyota?
Yes, Lexus is nothing but only a Toyota. Most Lexus owners are in denial deceiving themselves that it is a luxury car.
Yes Lexus is from Toyota what is your problem,people from Malaysia always have high respect for German car.they were 30 years ago no longer the Japanese car have caught with and better quality.have u seen German car compete in the NASCAR. No don’t have an engine for the race.you want that reliable,dependable, not expensive, also easy to work on.for German, after 4 years when the warranty expires, resale value drop 50%. Even a regular tune up can cost you a fortune.
Well, you never know! Lexus might surprise us all with a brand new V6 turbo, just like how it did with the IS-F and the world’s first 8-speed gearbox.
Mostly a NA V8. And it’s a good choice, the only NA performance coupe available on the market right now. Most enthusiast from Europe liked NA engine because Turbo is too mainstream, and for someone who can afford this car do they give a fu*k about Euro 6 or FC? Previous IS-F handling isn’t on par with a M3 but with the success of LFA, let’s see how much of the LFA DNA transferred to this car.
Err in case you don’t know it, come 2015 if the car does not even meet euro 6 standards it cannot be sold in Europe at all.
Remember why Mazda discontinued the RX8 in Europe and Honda the FN Civic type R because it does not meet even Euro 5 standards.
It is not whether should Lexus care or not, is whether it makes business sense or not, and worse still USA will also introduce such law that bans high emissions cars to be sold there come 2016.
So Lexus will be left with China and no one else. And frankly sales of Lexus isn’t that good in china as the anti Japanese sentiment is still strongly upheld.
Can’t tell much but I have little doubt it will look much more awesome than its 4-door sibling. Even with full on disguise it already looks like a top-tier predator hunting for its prey. as of power-train, I agree that the big V8 has the highest chance of appearing under the F’s, but I’am not ruling out the 3ish liter V6 Twin-Turbo, hopefully Yamaha tuned. Thou IS chief engineer Junichi Furuyama, said this generation IS F wont be getting a electric motor.
Throw the 4.8L V10 from the LFA in to the new IS-F and surprise the world, Lexus!! Who cares about profits anyway,right?
Btw, is there any plans from Lexus to make a GS-F? High performance luxury D-segment seems to be profitable to the other companies. And the new GS looks the business anyway.
Then let me tell you a great news. GS-F is testing along with IS-F coupe.
http://lexusenthusiast.com/2013/07/15/lexus-gs-f-prototype-spotted/
The 1LR-GUE is made out of pretty advance stuff; Magnesium Alloy. Titanium Alloy. So chances are if they are going to put it in, it’s gonna be a one-off or limited run. it’s not such a good idea with the LFA engine in the IS F. The IS F needs it’s crosshairs on the M3, and the M3 engine can still be used on a normal day with ease where the screaming, Hyperactive 1LR-GUE V10 most likely can’t.
However, I don’t think it might be over for the V10 after just 400 units made, now I do not know much of mechanical engineering, so this is purely from my own assumption; using the same architecture but less costly material to make, they could develope either a bigger (maybe 5.0 from 4.8l) V10 engine[E90 M5!]or cut 2 cylinder away and make a 3.2l V8 and stuck 2 turbos in it[Ferrari F40!]. getting the better torque at a lower level needed for a better, more liveble M3 rival.
E90 M5?? What’s that? E60 you mean?
Yeah E60 M5, I suddenly got the 3er and 5er mixed up.
How long they will test it? Proton bashers said only Proton tests the car so long. Now BMW too!
still same the front shape, so disappoint
Lexus is one of RV dropper kings!! 2007 – 208K , 2008 – 168K, you lose 40K in one year. Too bad. It’s just like contis but this is Japs which is light years behind.
A re-skin 86 and brz? Anything from Lexus shall link with anything from Toyota and Subaru.
Sad that Subaru lost it uniqueness after Toyota buy over. Look at their cars now. It’s lame. Sharing platform and sharing power plant. Only different is badge.
This isn’t the upcoming IS F Coupe, this is the RC F Coupe going to get a whooping 460hp
hope lexus/toyota yamaha put the lfa v10 engine with twinturbocharger appplication,with two hybrid motor powered front wheel when in need.5.0 v8 too weak,it can’t rev high as v10.go v10