SPIED: Black magic Lexus model coming?

It won't stand a chance against the 2008 BMW M3!!

It will be interesting to see and drive this Lexus when it arrives. I have always wondered how a Lexus made to be like the AMG or Ms would stack up. I love BMWs and I have no hate toward Lexus....I actually like the looks of the IS. I wonder if they do get the handling right on this car how much of a threat it would be to BMW....

The story said 0-60 in less than 6 seconds. I would hope so the IS 350 does that. I think the Lexus will be a great car. It'll be tuned more towards drivability than raw numbers. I think it will be a better CTs v.
t

Am I seeing things or does the exhaust on the driver side look double-stacked? I hope it is void of electro nannies or at least hope that they can be fully disabled.

Lexus will never be built like AMG cars. AMG cars, like Ms, are hand built with solid performance being the key purpose. Lexus builds their cars with luxury in mind, then electronic gadgets, then safety, then reliability, and then performance.

This is my first post, so don't be too harsh. I agree with TauronLB, in that the IS500 should post 0-60 times faster than that of the IS350, maybe even sub 5 (my guesstimate = 4.7-5.1 sec).

People were skeptic when the first IS came out, it was sporty, fun to drive, had the sweet 2jz-gte derived engine from the supra, but was not serious enough to compete with the 3 series. I believe lexus has learned a lot since then and the new IS is a testament to that. With that being said I have no reason to believe that the new IS500 can't go up against the big boys. Lexus is known for luxury and superb quality and build. It will be neat to see how that plays a role in the IS500. I wasn't aware that the AMG and M lines were hand built, that being said though, I don't know if lexus will follow that route, or know if they even really should, but I am sure the IS500 will seprate itself from the IS350 appropriately. A few years ago if someone was to say to you that Lexus would produce a car that could hold its own against the 3-series, they would have been laughed at. But now it seems that Lexus has made a 3-series competitor with the IS350. Now, it still seems that people are still skeptic about the IS500's potential, but I betcha lexus will fool everyone again. I just hope that a manual trans is offered in the new IS500. I really hope this is the tip of the iceberg of what't to come from lexus. Keeping my fingers crossed for the new Supra(GT500, whatever its going to be called). Does anyone know if there will be a special name for this new Lexus sports line, will it even have one????

Just the engines of the M & AMG lines are hand built - not sure about the rest. To make Lexus a stand out performance car, they need to keep the electronic controls (stability/traction/etc.) basic and give the driver more control. A 6 spd manual would be a good start, too. I'm curious about the suspension setup in this one with a big V8 and all.

If they tune this car the way they tuned the last generation Supra, it will be meant to take on the M3/AMG competition.

BMW M and Mercedes AMG only build the engines by hand. AMG has a philosophy that states: "One man, one engine".

I both cases, stock variants of the cars are delivered to them where both M and AMG work their magic.

I cant wait to see the new IS 500.

BWM530i I dont care how they make there vehicles just as long as they are reliable that is something BMW and Mercedes people have been trying to do for years

never, can't, won't, whatever. this car will be thousands less than the beloved m3 and the quality will be way better. and for most of you who can't really drive a performance car it doesn't matter which one's faster - most can't handle either car at 7/10's

I can't wait for the new IS500. I would buy one of those in a heartbeat compared to BMW or Mercedes. Even with the increased power of the IS500, I'm sure BMW and Mercedes will still be faster, but Lexus has the quality, reliability, safety, practicality, and looks that outdo any other luxury/sport sedan.