Lexus Australia has recently previewed a sports-inspired IS250 at the 2008 Australian International Motor Show.   Based on the popular IS250, the Sports Concept features a number of performance and visual enhancements designed to enhance the driving experience of the IS range.

Enhancements include brakes, shock absorbers, sway bars, chassis braces, air intake, clutch, short shift kit, exhaust, 19-inch wheels, engine cover and spoilers.  Each component has been designed and tested to strict Lexus standards and provides a quantifiable benefit to the vehicles’ handling, performance or visual appeal.

The Sports Concept’s braking package is designed to increase stopping power and reduce fade. It features six-piston callipers at the front and four-piston at rear. The larger cross-drilled, two-piece brake rotors at front and rear assist with reducing vehicle weight and aid in retardation performance.

The IS Sports Concept is also fitted with co-developed Bilstein shock absorbers and springs, which deliver a firmer ride, increased stability for track use and reduced body roll - resulting in increased handling.

Body roll and chassis flex is further reduced with the adoption of sway bars and a chassis brace - increasing overall cornering performance, stability and rigidity.

Under the bonnet, the IS250 receives a performance air intake, resulting in a three per cent power increase and a carbon-fiber engine cover.  Vehicles with manual transmissions also receive a short shift kit, resulting in a 35 per cent reduction in fore and aft gearshift movement

A performance clutch delivers a 16 per cent increase in clamping force, delivering a sportier pedal feel and increased power delivery. The Sports Concept has a stainless steel “cat-back” exhaust system, delivering a deeper, richer exhaust note and a power increase of 1.5 per cent.

To top it all off, the Sports Concept also features front and rear lip spoilers and striking lightweight graphite gray, 10-spoke, 19-inch forged aluminum wheels. Lexus chief executive John Roca said the performance accessories fitted to IS250 Sports Concept were currently under consideration for Australia. “The introduction of the IS250 Sports Concept is still in preliminary stages but it’s something we definitely want to investigate,” Mr Roca said.

lexus IS250

Popularity: 7% [?]

The TEAM Lexus will competing in the American GT2 LeMans Series in July with their Lexus IS 350 GT2. The Lexus IS 350 GT2 is powered by a production-based V6 enginewith major modification with can deliver around 470 hp.

The Lexus IS 350 GT2 will debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon and will race for the first time at the Twelve Hours of Sebring in March.

For more details, visit TEAM Lexus.

lemans, lexus

Popularity: 19% [?]

A brief introduction to Toyota Altezza. Altezza was introduced to compete against the BMW 3 Series and the Nissan Skyline/Infiniti G. The first-generation Altezza (codename XE10) was launched in Japan in October 1998, while the Lexus IS 200 made its debut in Europe in 1999 and the IS 300 in North America in 2001.

All car lovers have that magic car, the model they have to own in spite of any financial or other logical reasons to the contrary. We’re talking about a car that’s as important as oxygen itself. The Toyota Altezza featured here is an good example. The original looks has been transformed to wide body version and of course this altezza is extremly modified for racing purposes.

THE SPECS

2000 Toyota Altezza
Owner: HKS Japan, Fujinomiya, Sizuoka ken, Japan
Engine Type: 3S-GTE
Displacement: 2.2L
Engine Mods: Bore x stroke: 87 mm x 90 mm
HKS GT3037S turbocharger
HKS GT Wastegate
HKS camshafts
10.2:1 compression
Forged crankshaft
Tube stainless steel exhaust manifold
HKS cam gears
Engine Management: F-CON V Pro fuel/spark management system
HKS Twin Power ignition
EVC Pro boost controller (22.55 PSI boost)
Drivetrain: X-Trac six-speed sequential transmission
Stock differential housing, 4.375:1 final drive, stock half shafts
Suspension: Custom
Brakes: Alcon brake calipers
Wheels: Advan TCII wheels, 18×11 inch
Tires: Advan racing tires
Exterior Mods: CF Body
Interior Mods: Bride seats
Pi Research dash display
Mobiletronics: None

Enjoy the photos…

Popularity: 22% [?]

Lexus IS-F Performance Sedan was unveilled during the Detroit Auto Show. This mosnter powered by a performance tuned 5.0-liter V8 engine, topped with specially engineered heads fed by a two-stage intake system, that produces 400-plus horsepower and more than 350 ft.-lbs. of torque. The all-new IS-F is equipped with engine-oil and transmission-fluid coolers for high-speed performance and a cylinder head-scavenging oil pump for high g-force driving.

Lexus IS F Performance Sedan

Popularity: 6% [?]