PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Lexus Unveils The Sexy 2009 IS250C

Making its world debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the new IS 250C combines the sporting elegance of the IS sedan with superlative engineering ingenuity to create a unique fusion of top-down driving pleasure and uncompromised closed-top dynamic performance in the premium sedan segment. Its lightweight, aluminium folding roof structure boasts the fastest three-part roof opening time of just 20 seconds. Through the remarkably compact packaging of its roof mechanism, the IS 250C offers a large boot space, generous rear seat access and spacious rear passenger accommodation.

Sharing the IS 250's 153kW/208DIN hp, 2.5 litre ultra-smooth V6 powerplant and 6-speed automatic transmission, the new Lexus convertible has been styled to offer minimal wind turbulence when driving with the hard top stowed. The enhanced torsional stiffness of the IS 250C design promotes ride comfort appropriate to the marque and, in coupe configuration, reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics on a par with those of the IS sedan.

HSCenterconsole - 10/2/2008 8:43:32 AM

+7 Boost

Not bad. I see some Ferrari California and Toyota Solara in the rear trunk lid and quarter panels. I actually think the sedan is "sexier" (strange using that word with Lexus) than the coupe though.

HelloKittyLexus - 10/8/2008 11:46:23 PM

+1 Boost

I can't believe you guys are ripping on it! It looks just like my mom's Pontiac G6 she bought like just 3 years ago. Maybe if she gets this I'll get the G6 which would be super cool :-D to have twin cars with my mom.

AmazonPrinceIS350 - 10/2/2008 9:00:29 AM

+6 Boost

Ain't no fattie pats gonna fit back there!

dumpsty - 10/2/2008 9:12:48 AM

+7 Boost

Looks like they make a few concessions in design for the folding hardtop. Hate to say it, but I like the 4-dr better.

PlanB - 10/2/2008 9:15:40 AM

+6 Boost

So does this mean they will drop the SC now?

NISSANINFINITI - 10/2/2008 10:50:07 AM

+8 Boost

YES they said that over a month ago

hao420 - 10/2/2008 4:58:16 PM

-3 Boost

I perfer the SC dou....

B7FAN - 10/2/2008 9:16:19 AM

-3 Boost

that thing is but ugly it looks like a confused lexus sc430 and a corolla put together looks like crap to me

B7FAN - 10/2/2008 9:17:05 AM

-2 Boost

is that a pontiac g6 coupe?????????????????????????

LACMAN - 10/2/2008 11:13:39 AM

+1 Boost

In GXP form I think I might agree...

IVANURI97 - 10/2/2008 9:27:58 AM

0 Boost

Looks like the melting Solara and a 1-series mixed with a little SC430...not the easiest on the eyes.

jeffy210 - 10/2/2008 9:29:00 AM

-1 Boost

Beautiful with it's top down. Still undecided with its top up. Will they over a IS 350C to compete against the 335i and S4 convertibles? Overall though I think this will sell pretty well, probably will take some SC buyers.

LACMAN - 10/2/2008 11:15:33 AM

-1 Boost

LOL!!!

M35MT - 10/2/2008 2:02:17 PM

+7 Boost

this wont appeal to SC buyers, that car costs twice as much.

B7FAN - 10/2/2008 2:12:39 PM

+4 Boost

this P.O.S is not going to attract an SC owner it will attract the pontiac G6 conv. owners to step in a luxry G6 with lexus badging

ubercool - 10/2/2008 9:33:25 AM

0 Boost

Nothing specail, doesn't look sleek enough from the side profile, and it looks a bit old man aswell, on the whole though i still prefer it to a BMW, Merc or Audi.

LACMAN - 10/2/2008 11:19:14 AM

+6 Boost

...And they did a better job of it...

1dott8 - 10/2/2008 9:56:14 AM

+2 Boost

i the furthest thing from a lexus fan but i don't think this is that ugly actually, i like it. to me it looks way better in a 2 door than the 4. good luck toyota!

sector - 10/2/2008 10:07:38 AM

-10 Boost

Sleek, sexy, beautiful. Best looking by far in this class. Well done Lexus you have a winner.

1dott8 - 10/2/2008 11:50:26 AM

+6 Boost

auto001 - "Best looking by far in this class."


come on dude, it's okay but that comment was way off base.

WayneDash - 10/2/2008 10:24:54 AM

+3 Boost

Lexus IS250C = Lexus SC (Just slower and uglier)

pchera01 - 10/2/2008 10:31:53 AM

+12 Boost

G37 is better than this

answer - 10/2/2008 11:04:14 AM

+8 Boost

I am a long time Lexus fan.

But...

This thing sucks. What a waste of the engineers' time.

It ain't ugly, but as others have said, Volvo already offers the C70.

I guess I'll still be waiting on a true coupe from Lexus. The first SC was (and still is) sexy as hell.

This thing blows. We lose a future new SC for this little thing?

Way to give amunition to the Lexus-haters Lexus!

sector - 10/2/2008 11:52:39 AM

-9 Boost

To me IS250C is a god send, it means Lexus will continue to bring out more sporty models, you take the butt ugly fwd C70 that will fall apart in a few years, I'll take a Lexus every time.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/3/2008 12:54:50 AM

+7 Boost

The C70 will not only be significantly more satisfying to drive in spite of its FWD layout, but it's also WAY more attractive.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/5/2008 12:58:58 AM

+4 Boost

If you think that, you're stupid. Have you ever even seen a C70? I'm no Volvo fan but it's a very attractive car and if you wanted a hardtop that was comfy rather than sporty, it would be the best choice.

_43LE - 10/2/2008 11:07:16 AM

+9 Boost

Looks kind of boring to me. Will need to see it in person.

LexSucks - 10/2/2008 11:23:07 AM

+6 Boost

I can only imagine how slow that thing will be. 0-60 in the 9 second range at the least.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/2/2008 12:31:42 PM

+8 Boost

They butchered the rear end. It looks like a C70 from the B-pillar forward, which is a compliment, but the rear is worse than the G6 convertible's. Two thumbs down, Lexus.

LexusKindaGuy12 - 10/2/2008 12:33:57 PM

+6 Boost

agreed, it cant compete with the 3 series with this design. the rear is a bit...well...ugly

carguy68 - 10/2/2008 12:37:16 PM

+6 Boost

90's escort

SanJoseDriver - 10/2/2008 12:38:28 PM

-1 Boost

I like it... hope they release a 350 version because the 250 engine is pretty slow (7.8s 0-60).

0to60 - 10/2/2008 3:02:31 PM

-2 Boost

the interior looks decent

autopro - 10/3/2008 12:51:24 PM

-1 Boost

So whar are you saying,another model to keep them ahead of
bmw.

DogLb - 10/2/2008 8:41:05 PM

+3 Boost

This car translates terribly as a 2 door / convertible. A little to Solara-ish.

IMO...the Infiniti G convert. looks much better than this

Hyundai - 10/2/2008 9:00:28 PM

+7 Boost

I had such high hopes for a beautiful IS coupe. This disappoints big time.

What an ugly coupe.

Actually... no, it's not ugly. There are some ugly aspects to it. The biggest qualm is that there is no passion in its design. It is so stale, boring and very "yesterday". There is NO imagination! None! Take a sedan, chop off two doors, ruin the proportions of the rear end and photoshop the tail lights. Great job!

1evlaudi - 10/3/2008 1:30:55 AM

+6 Boost

Well I hate to say it but I had to come back and comment on that thing.
That thing is ugly, yes like it has been said, it's a Corola mixed with a Volvo and Solara. It is very disappointing because the Is is actually really decent design wise, the IS-F was a first failure and this just takes the cake.
A 335 is so much nicer in every ways and the A5 convertible, a proper Cabriolet with a proper soft top will make that thing look even uglier.
I know it's time for the SC to go, but to replace a wrong with another wrong doesn't make a right.
Like someone said, the first SC was great design wise and still looks good today as a matter of fact.

Oh well, it is just Toyota marketing as its worst.

Hyundai - 10/3/2008 2:00:18 AM

+3 Boost

From the front, what's the difference between this and an IS sedan? NOTHING!

Creativity at its best!

You lazy sons of bean countin' bi*ches!

7thLexusSanDiego - 10/3/2008 2:12:55 AM

+3 Boost

I just went out in my garage to confirm that I own the same car, an IS350, but with a roof and 4 doors. The pleasing lines of IS series have been lost in something between an SC430 and the late,(thank goodness), Toyota Solara. No mention about what tires will come with this car. I'll venture that standard equipment will be Bridgestone run-flats to save trunk space, (to the tune of 15K-20K mile treadwear and $2000 per set replacement cost). Lastly: "generous rear seat access and spacious rear passenger accommodation." LOL, looks just like the "back seat" in the SC we owned prior to the IS350.

xj13 - 10/3/2008 7:53:43 AM

+4 Boost

The 3 series cagrio is like angelina Jolie and this POS is like that old bag in theres something about mary, you know the one with the droopy tits.

S4cabriofoxone - 10/5/2008 1:01:07 AM

+6 Boost

"This thing looks really really luxurious and will appeal more to "aristocrat" types then typical teenage racer that the bimmer-merc etc appeal to"

You're nuts.

The IS-F does indeed look better in person but it is far more of a "teenage kid's" car than an M3 or C63. With those stacked exhausts, odd side air dams and pumped up hood it comes with full rice spec from the factory.

opus - 10/5/2008 7:00:21 PM

+2 Boost

Lexus builds excellent appliances with no soul. When they try to jazz them up, they go the way of the boy racer crowd, stacked exhaust, oversized wheels, etc...The SC 430 is beyond ugly, to fix that mess they give this basically homogenized sterile coupe because Lexus folk will buy this just because it is a Lexus and its looks will not offend anyone. It will outsell the SC430 by 4-1, that doesn't make it a great car, it makes it a Lexus that is an appliance for appliance drivers.

AMiodynski - 10/8/2008 1:39:21 PM

0 Boost

^ this coming from someone that likes Mercedes....