Lexus building IS performance coupe

[Avalonman]

http://common.weblogsinc.com/common/...59809314541514

The new IS sedans from Lexus are proving to be a big hit with the critics so far, and we’ve now learned that the company is readying a performance coupe version that will most likely be called the IS 500. According to JapaneseCarFans, the car will be powered by a 4.3L V8 producing 300 hp. The site has shots of a mule track testing and notes the car’s right-hand drive layout. With the Lexus brand recently being introduced in the Japanese home market, it’s clear that new models like the IS500 are being developed for markets both at home and abroad. Principle competition for the IS500 would likely be the big boys – BMW’s M3 and the Mercedes CLK 55 AMG.
UPDATE:
As many readers pointed out in the comments, dropping the company’s current 4.3L V8 in a coupe destined to do battle with the likes of BMW’s M3 makes no sense. Apparently the original article we linked to was riddled with typos. The test mule has a 4.6L V8 that’s destined to replace the current 4.3L, and that engine will most likely end up in the LS flagship sedan first. The naming convention of this coupe clearly indicates a 5.0L V8 will probably be used, and it would need 350-400 hp minimum to compete in the segment.

They said it could, would, should not happen. Well, they were wrong.

[silver04rollas]

A 4.3 liter V8 producing 300 when an IS350 puts 306. Riighht!. Atleast they should make up some figures that make sense...lol

The IS500 is supposed to put out around 460 HP with a 4.5 liter V8 engine.

[Tideland Prius]

The 4.3 litre V8 is old. We're waiting for the new 4.6 litre engine. I know Lexus has registered the IS460 name so that's a more probable route than IS500. Maybe Lexus can come up with a better name than "L-Tuned" .

[lexuscutive]

Not sure about a "performance coupe" to go up against the M3 and the likes......

but a coupe IS in fact in the works.

as is a H/T convertible.

watch for it.

cheers,

[msm20032003]

apparantly this is what it is going to actually look like http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=108443

[situman]

Don't they already have a 350HP version of the 3.5L V6 in Japan with 4wd? SO a huge 4.6L V8 only pumping 30 to 50 more HP doesn't sound right to me. How about trying to squeeze 400HP from the 3.5L for less weight.