For years rumors have been circulating. Today we know for a fact that there will be an Exotic Sports car from Toyota...actually it will be a Lexus..
All we must do now is wait. Read below..
Lexus to Unveil Exotic Sports Car Concept Vehicle at NAIAS
12/13/2004 Torrance, CA
Lexus will stage the world premiere of its LF-A exotic sports car concept vehicle at a press conference during the North American International Auto Show on Sunday, January 9, 2005. The LF-A was designed to explore the outer limits of sports car performance, while showcasing a bold new direction in styling for the Lexus brand.
The 2005 Lexus GX 470 luxury utility vehicle makes its auto show debut in Detroit. The new GX receives a substantial gain in performance and technology with the addition of a more powerful V8 engine and a new Sport Package that includes the advanced Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) along with special trim. Equipping the 2005 GX 470's 4.7-liter V8 engine with the variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) system and an electronic throttle control system with intelligence (ETCS-i) has increased output from 235 horsepower to 270.
Also showcased in Detroit is the new 2005 RX 330 Thundercloud limited edition, which offers a fresh option to America’s No. 1-selling luxury SUV. Sporting the exclusive Thundercloud Metallic exterior color and gray leather interior, the RX 330 Thundercloud Edition includes special five-spoke alloy wheels with contrasting color, a more aggressive front grille, special edition emblems on front doors and floor mats, and Black Bird’s Eye Maple interior wood trim.
The Lexus Press conference highlighting the LF-A concept vehicle will be held Sunday, January 9, 2005 at 1:45pm at the Riverview Ballroom in COBO Center.
Last edited by Thundercat; 12-17-2004 at 09:44 PM.
A Lexus? That just doesn't make sense based on the word coming out of Japan.
There is a renewed focus at Toyota to bring Lexus back to the "posh" upper dollar market. Somehow I don't really associate posh with a $100k roadster (even though you'd need the same kind of bucks). I'm even a little concerned they could drop the IS300 because of this trend and original fears that the IS300 would dilute the Lexus branding (which I feel it has). Nevertheless I think they'll keep it anyways just to try and compete with the 3-Series, G35 et al.
So if I'm right in interpreting some things I've read, any future sportcar (which is targeted to youth) will be branded seperately from the high-value poshness of Lexus...and the unexciting reliability image of Toyota. But it couldn't be too far off...so that leaves us with Scion - the youth target brand to champion a sportscar that youth want, with Toyota reliability (and Lexus ties - for when you earn your first million).
It sure would be cool to fast forward 5 years and see what the suits have in for us...
I would agree with xrs except one thing kinda doesn't make sense. Aiming at the youth they may release a 'sports car'... but this article is saying 'exotic sports car'. IMO thats like comparing the $30k S2000 to the $90k NSX.... I know a few.... but I'm pretty damn sure no parents are going to drop $90k on a car for their kids... and I'm sure as hell the kids can't afford it.
They will have my attention when they release something 2dr, RWD, and with more than 200hp..... until then.... Toyota is just kinda slackin.
They're trying to gauge public opinion basically. If it's not received well, it's back to the drawing board. If it's very well received, it just might make production. All of the Lexus Future (LF) concepts hint at a future design for their vehicles.
Sports cars are a niche market ... you can't please everyone. The IS will be available w/ 3 different engines and model configurations like the BMW 3 series. IS250, 300, 350, coupe, convertible, and sedan. The 2.5L V6 (4GR-FE) puts out almost as much horsepower as the 2JZ-GE in the current IS300.
Toyota isn't interested in bringing back turbocharged vehicles (from the factory) to compete in the $30k range. Can we say performance hybrid?
Yes u guys are right this is labeled a "Concept" but the reality is that Lexus is known to be searching to market a such exotic in the near future.
Im thinkin 2007 at the earliest, but IMO this car is gonna be a reality. Everyone in industry knows that Lexus is only lacking one thing: EXCITMENT and this car is the answer.
All the other lexury makers have that one exotic..so Lexus needs this car.
Its purely an image Car, $100K +++ eaisly, just to showcase the performace, design and technology capabilities of Lexus.. its all marketing u see.
And why not? Toyota is rolling deep with Cash mind as well put it in somethin interesting.
Its gonna happen..just wait and see
-LL
Last edited by Thundercat; 12-20-2004 at 10:07 PM.
I dont know if this was posted anywhere but I read that Toyota is going to release there new 'exotic' in 2006. It says it's a 2dr, RWD, V10 with similar technology to their F1 car. It says its supposed to be pushing around 550 HP. Estimated retail will be around $140k USD.
Reports of this Toyota supercar have been circulationg since we first got wind of its development back in 2001. Now we can say for sure that this exciting high-performance machine, which will probably come with a $150,000 price tag, is coming to the U.S., Although spyphotos show the basic shape and profile of the new sports car, there are still a lot of things that have not been confirmed.
Questions surround the car's powerplant. The engine will probably be a 4.5-liter V-10, based on Toyotas 444F Formula 1 engine. If the 2-seater does come with a V-10, it will be called the 444F, though there are rumblings that a V-12 may slide in there at the last minute. Whichever powerplant finds its way into the engine bay, located ahead of the cockpit, it will send an estimated 450 bhp to the rear wheels via a 6- (or possibly 7-) speed manual transaxle.
The car's performance potential and its dimensions-overall length, width and height of 169.0, 75.0, and 48.0 in-will put it in the same segment with the Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo and Ford GT. A version of this car is scheduled to be unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, with the introduction of the production version in 2006.
-Road & Track, January 2005
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The I6 2jz is their most famous engine. It gots so much respect. Everyone knows about it!
For one, it takes up too much room, and it's not very efficient due to the G head. If they added dual VVTL-i, I think it'd put out a lot more power in N/A form, much like the M3's double VANOS 333hp I6. The 1JZ and 2JZ are still used in Japan ... go figure.
It's not just the power that makes the 2jz so well known, it's the fact that you can boost to the moon on a stock block. Or maybe because kids heard it in tf+tf.
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The I6 2jz is their most famous engine. It gots so much respect. Everyone knows about it!
Yes, but IMO it's time to move on. Although the 2JZ is a very capable engine, problem is that (someone here already had mentioned it that) it takes up too much room lengthwise. To make a FR sportscar handles better, the further the engine must be moved towards the middle, but the I6 doesn't allow that. Therefore a V6 with its shorter length will achieve a better mid-front weight distribution. That's why Nissan also jumped boat from I6 to V6 for their Skylines. Downside to a V6 compared to I6 is less overall engine stiffness or "stoutness," plus more moving parts hence more complications. But overall it's the way to go, and Vee-configurations are always balanced and more smooth.
I do agree that the 2JZ is renowned for what it can achieved when "over" boosted with stock internal, but honestly an engine that's boosted to that level is no longer streetable in the real world of driving, and it also won't last long if always driven with madness.
Frankly, I think Toyota (or Lexus) would employ the 5UZ as their next highend sportscar, since the V8 will give you all the torque in the world from a 4.3L. But I'll not be surprised if it gets bored out to at least 5L. All one needs to do is to look at JGTC cars, since Toyota used a 5.2L 5UZ in their Supra GT500 cars. Ironically though this year (which has ended) they went back to the regular capacity (with less torque obviously). I think TRD is trying multiple engine sizes and configurations for race and street cars.
Sorry for the long post. Just my 2 cents on the engine-issue. Cheers,
They will have my attention when they release something 2dr, RWD, and with more than 200hp..... until then.... Toyota is just kinda slackin.
Toyota is kind of like the GM. They're both slackin' and they're both behind. Look at what people are buying. They're buying cars with more power, more everything. Ford is kicking GM's ass. Ford has the new Mustang and GM counters with the GTO? The GTO is $33,000, costs more than $5,000 than the Mustang GT and is minimally faster.
I'm sick of seeing all these Honda's, Subaru's and Mitsubishi's running around. Toyota needs to do something that can attract the younger buyers.
Replace that 200hp with 300hp and I would get something like that, definitely! We're in a horsepower war across the whole car board. Family sedans packing more than 350 horses? Who would've ever thought?
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We're in a horsepower war across the whole car board. Family sedans packing more than 350 horses? Who would've ever thought?
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