Lexus IS500 F Performance - RIP Acura TLX Type-S

[BIC_BAWS]

Did anyone watch the video and notice that it doesn't really sound like a V8?

[JDMDreams]

^ yes, but if you watch the start up on the donut media release it does have the v8 rumble

[EvoFire]

Originally Posted by JDMDreams

https://youtu.be/j_2GQp-8cQE

Is that stock? I can get behind that noise. Now if they'll just release it with a stick... (I know it's never gonna happen)

A NA V8 isn't going to win races, why not give me the stick?

[!Aznboi128]

I know a lot of people are raging for V8s to come back but I don't know if this is it. Being an "f-sport" it's not a m3 competitor but rather M340i and the M340i is faster to 60mph thanks to all-wheel-drive.

I think this will help the IS-F prices stay inflated because of addition it has over this. IMO they could have used the 3.5L twin turbo 6 in the LS500 and made a better car overall. This was probably just cheaper for them to manufacture. They already had the engine, trans and rear end all they had to "develop" was a new hood.

[twitchyzero]

toyota diehards don't care for spec sheet

what does the isf have over this aside from fenders? esp the earlier models sans lsd

this is their interim attainable halo car, no one would bat an eye if they went tt6

toyota is quite brilliant as of late: turbo3 rally car for europe/asia, big displacement n/a for NA

pending price of course...i think enthusiasts expecting it 60k cad might come up a bit short

[Suprarz666]

Earlier models have bigger brakes as well I think.

[EvoFire]

Originally Posted by twitchyzero

toyota diehards don't care for spec sheet

what does the isf have over this aside from fenders? esp the earlier models sans lsd

this is their interim attainable halo car, no one would bat an eye if they went tt6

toyota is quite brilliant as of late: turbo3 rally car for europe/asia, big displacement n/a for NA

pending price of course...i think enthusiasts expecting it 60k cad might come up a bit short

I'm expecting this this come in closer to 70k with appropriate options. A M340 optioned well is around that price and I don't see why Lexus would charge significantly less.

[Qmx323]

Originally Posted by CorneringArtist

Imagine if a GX-F comes out with that engine lol. Lexus can make an attempt at X-M territory by having different sized SUVs.

We joke but a V8 RX-F would sell out in days

Imagine whatever the F-Sport but 10% more StReEt RaCiNg

[Akinari]

Originally Posted by EvoFire

I'm expecting this this come in closer to 70k with appropriate options. A M340 optioned well is around that price and I don't see why Lexus would charge significantly less.

Will be north of that. A fully loaded 2021 IS350 F-Sport is already flirting with $60k before any taxes/fees.

[twitchyzero]

my guess is low 60s US and low 70s here + some adm, likely a pretty limited run
half decent availability first model year then it'll last until they run out of the 3uz to retool for more hybrids/electrification

[EvoFire]

Originally Posted by twitchyzero

my guess is low 60s US and low 70s here + some adm, likely a pretty limited run
half decent availability first model year then it'll last until they run out of the 3uz to retool for more hybrids/electrification

I'm not sure they'll run out of the 3UZ, and I don't think this is to use up their stockpile of them.

Toyota is the pioneer of JIT production and I doubt they have more on hand than they need.

I'd wager the IS350, which used to be the equivalent of the Audi S4, MB C350/400, and BMW 335 just doesn't quite measure up anymore and they need a cheap competitor to tie them over until the 2GR gets replaced. What's cheaper than an existing drivetrain, in an old chassis, that they've probably already did some R&D on in the past. There's probably an old 3G IS with the V8 already in an attic covered with dust and cobwebs, just the public never knew about it.

[bomberR17]

Originally Posted by EvoFire

I'm not sure they'll run out of the 3UZ, and I don't think this is to use up their stockpile of them.

Toyota is the pioneer of JIT production and I doubt they have more on hand than they need.

I'd wager the IS350, which used to be the equivalent of the Audi S4, MB C350/400, and BMW 335 just doesn't quite measure up anymore and they need a cheap competitor to tie them over until the 2GR gets replaced. What's cheaper than an existing drivetrain, in an old chassis, that they've probably already did some R&D on in the past. There's probably an old 3G IS with the V8 already in an attic covered with dust and cobwebs, just the public never knew about it.

They do have a twin turbo 3.5L V6 available making 415hp (currently in the LS500) which I wager would actually make more sense than this V8. That leaves them room for a true IS-F.

[busdriverman]

Originally Posted by Sileighty_180sx

Unlike RC-F
- No IS-F Seats
- No wide body
- No wider tires
- No vented hood

Car is pretty much identical to the $42k IS300RWD (base model already a F-Sport with 19" wheels)

IS500 basically replaced the 2.0t with the V8 5.0 (plus LSD and longer front), let's hope it will be $59.9k CAD to start.

Very good points but I bet you it will start at 70k

[EvoFire]

Originally Posted by bomberR17

They do have a twin turbo 3.5L V6 available making 415hp (currently in the LS500) which I wager would actually make more sense than this V8. That leaves them room for a true IS-F.

Turn up the boost or strap on bigger twins, the possibilities are endless.

My bet is it doesn't make more sense from the R&D department, which I wager was done with the V8 previously but never released. The V8 also probably costs less than the V6TT to make, and it matches the North American shopping culture better.

I personally don't have a preference to 6cyl with turbos or an 8(I drive a F80 M3), but I have to admit that video posted of the LC500, that sounds glorious and it's not something any 6 cylinder can replicate.

[donjalapeno]

IMO in todays market they put that engine in the wrong car. If they put the same V8 in the NX it would generate a bit more interest.

It's also pretty ballsy to come out with a V8 nowadays. It would have made more sense 5-10 years ago (W204 C63 and E90 days). A V6 Hybrid system with AWD would have been more appropriate.

but I'm not complaining. Long live the V8's.

[Akinari]

I'd say the vast majority of the people complaining about how Toyota is reusing an old chassis, old motor, and selling it to you for whatever crazy amount, weren't remotely interesting in buying an IS500 anyway. I mean...which manufacturer is crazy enough to stuff in an NA V8 into a sports sedan these days? This is basically a passion project by yours truly Akio Toyoda, for us passionate car enthusiasts. I for one would seriously consider leasing one when my UX lease comes up, if it's still available by then.

[toyota86]

The ISF was the wrong answer in the E90 and W204 era because BMW and MB made the better cake with the same recipe. Today, the Germans have deviated so far from that recipe, it's not even cake anymore. MB with their less cylinders more screens C class and BMW with their ugly and farty 3 series with the pity 6mt. I think the IS500 is absolutely the right answer when asked the same question this time around. I like the direction Lexus is going with this. They avoid having to make it a big spectacle by not calling it a true F car, avoid having to style it with an aggressive body kit, avoid having auto journalist compare it again with M and AMG things. They can keep this car's looks understated and sleeper. Think of it like ordering an out of season special coffee from the secret menu at Starbucks. It won't come in a holiday themed cup but its the same drink.

[twitchyzero]

Originally Posted by donjalapeno

If they put the same V8 in the NX it would generate a bit more interest.

but I'm not complaining. Long live the V8's.

i was just thinking exactly that

if i really want a v8 sedan i'll go get an old school LS for cheap

but if it's gonna be an automatic and weigh almost 4000lbs might as well have the practicality of a suv

[roastpuff]

Originally Posted by twitchyzero

i was just thinking exactly that

if i really want a v8 sedan i'll go get an old school LS for cheap

but if it's gonna be an automatic and weigh almost 4000lbs might as well have the practicality of a suv

I mean isn't that kind of the opposite of the IS? Heavi(er), longer, larger, more of a luxury touring sedan rather than a sporty-ish more compact one? And no one is really doing manual V8 sedans any more anyways, so the manual argument is a bit moot. Pushing this around the twisties would be more fun than the LS, for sure, and parking is probably going to be easier lol.

[AstulzerRZD]

Originally Posted by roastpuff

I mean isn't that kind of the opposite of the IS? Heavi(er), longer, larger, more of a luxury touring sedan rather than a sporty-ish more compact one? And no one is really doing manual V8 sedans any more anyways, so the manual argument is a bit moot. Pushing this around the twisties would be more fun than the LS, for sure, and parking is probably going to be easier lol.

Last call over at Cadillac.... 2021 allocations for USA already all sold out for CT5-V Blackwing

[roastpuff]

Originally Posted by AstulzerRZD

Last call over at Cadillac.... 2021 allocations for USA already all sold out for CT5-V Blackwing

But here's the thing... do you want to own a Cadillac? I dunno, none of Cadillac's products really "do it" for me. Their last thing that really tickled my fancy was the CTS-V wagon.

EDIT: Also, starting at 83K puts the CT5-V Blackwing into an entirely different class.

[twitchyzero]

Originally Posted by roastpuff

I mean isn't that kind of the opposite of the IS? Heavi(er), longer, larger, more of a luxury touring sedan rather than a sporty-ish more compact one? And no one is really doing manual V8 sedans any more anyways, so the manual argument is a bit moot. Pushing this around the twisties would be more fun than the LS, for sure, and parking is probably going to be easier lol.

the current IS only few inches shorter than the full-size 7-seater LX from the 90s

hardly compact, practically touring

[roastpuff]

Originally Posted by twitchyzero

the current IS only few inches shorter than the full-size 7-seater LX from the 90s

hardly compact, practically touring

The IS is within a few inches of the other cars in its class, which is still classified as "compact luxury". Everything's grown - heck the Civic is as large as an Accord from the early 00s nowadays.



EDIT: Here's another comparison with a LX450 added in.

[AstulzerRZD]

Originally Posted by roastpuff

But here's the thing... do you want to own a Cadillac? I dunno, none of Cadillac's products really "do it" for me. Their last thing that really tickled my fancy was the CTS-V wagon.

EDIT: Also, starting at 83K puts the CT5-V Blackwing into an entirely different class.

I'd personally rather be in a Hellcat.
Not sure the Cadillac style does it for me.

But as far as the engine/trans and the E39 feeling chassis on the Caddy products... hard to beat that combo if the style works for you.

[roastpuff]

The Launch Edition in Incognito (same Cement Gray as the Tacoma?) sure looks nice. I wonder how many out of 500 Canada will get?

Does anyone in RS have a Lexus contact that I can get in touch with?