Jay Leno Drives the Lexus LFA Spyder

Jay Leno has visited the LFA Works production facility in Japan and had a chance to drive the world’s only LFA Spyder (!!!).
Kevin · October 5th, 2012

2013 Lexus IS Convertible F SPORT

For the 2013 model year, the Lexus IS convertible will be available with a full F SPORT package — for the first images of the new package, let’s take a visit to Lexus Japan.
Kevin · September 19th, 2012

2015 Lexus SC Convertible?

Just one day after posting a Best Car rendering of the rumored Lexus LFA II, we now have this Mag-X photochop of a possible SC convertible based on the LF-LC concept.
Kevin · May 12th, 2012

SEMA 2011: Lexus IS 350C by VIP Auto Salon

Also on display at the Lexus SEMA exhibit will be the VIP Auto Salon IS 350C, a super-modified convertible fully equipped with a Rotex Supercharger kit by Apexi & a Joe-Z exhaust that bumps up the power to 386 hp & 372lb-ft of torque.
Kevin · October 26th, 2011

Next-Generation Lexus IS F?

Along with their photochop of the next-generation Lexus IS, Best Car also tried their hand at the future IS F (click for a larger image): From the Japanese blurb, it looks like Best Car is suggesting the engine output will remain unchanged in the next-gen IS F, which is something I doubt very much. It …
Kevin · February 23rd, 2011

Lexus IS 350C F-Sport Special Edition

Lexus USA has announced that a special edition IS 350C F Sport will be arriving in dealerships this month. Limited to just 175 units, this F-Sport equipped convertible will be available in either Obsidian or Starfire Pearl, and includes these modifications above and beyond the usual IS-C: 19-inch forged alloy wheels with dark graphite finish …
Kevin · February 21st, 2011

Classic Lexus SC 430 Commercial

In keeping with the spirit of this weekend’s Super Bowl and its commercial breaks, here’s a classic SC 430 commercial that’s always good for a laugh: (After a week of heavy snow here in the North East, I could really go for some summer with a convertible, even if it meant putting up with these …
Kevin · February 7th, 2011

Lexus IS 250C Consumer Reports Convertible Test

Consumer Reports has published a comparison test of five convertibles: the Audi A5, Infiniti G37c, Lexus IS 250C, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Mini Cooper S. The Lexus IS and Infiniti G convertibles tied for first place, with an overall score of 77, followed by the A5 at 74—previous tests of the BMW 328i and Volkswagen …
Kevin · April 6th, 2010

Lexus LFA Roadster Rendering

Dutch website Autogespot has put together a photochop of a production Lexus LFA Roadster, merging elements of the final production car and the 2008 LFA roadster concept: How far of a stretch would it be to expect an LFA Roadster to follow the LFA coupe? It would certainly help to recoup the V10 engine development …
Kevin · January 28th, 2010

TRD-Tuned Lexus IS & GS from SEMA

We saw the official photos of the cars in Lexus’ SEMA showcase, and now Autoblog has posted a few photos of the TRD F-Sport GS & IS: I’m more impressed with these two cars by the day—- especially when I see new details like the matte tailights, which works well contrasting with the vibrant orange …
Kevin · November 8th, 2009

Great Lexus IS Convertible Billboard in Toronto

Check out this cool Lexus IS-C digital billboard in downtown Toronto: What’s interesting is that the position of the IS-C roof changes depending on the current weather, which is also displayed underneath the car. Very nicely executed! (Hopefully this is still in place the top is down when I’m in Toronto next week…) [Source: DSE]
Kevin · September 21st, 2009

NY Times Comparison: 2010 Lexus IS 350C vs. Infiniti G37 convertible

The New York Times has published a comparison between the Lexus IS 350C and the Infiniti G37 convertible: While the Infiniti manages to look reasonably pert from behind, the Lexus has a wicked case of Solara butt. But if the Lexus is no swan, dropping the roof does make it less of a waddling goose. …
Kevin · August 24th, 2009

Next-Gen Lexus SC Photochop

With the release of the 2010 Lexus SC 430, we’ve likely seen the end of the second generation Sports Coupe—so what’s next? Could it look something like this? Found in a thread on Club Lexus, this unsourced Photochop shows the potential of the third-generation SC. Sure, there’s some awkward creases in the hood & side …
Kevin · August 18th, 2009

Edmunds Reviews the Lexus IS 350C F-Sport Accessories

Edmunds took a Lexus IS 350C and outfitted it with every F-Sport accessory available, all to determine which of the upgrades are really worth the money—here’s their verdict: If you’re looking to spend good money on a modified IS convertible, look no further than the $2,346 wheel/tire upgrade and add it to the $1,588 for …
Kevin · August 4th, 2009

Lexus IS-C Demand Outpacing Production

The Lexus IS-C is off to a booming start in the US, with dealerships selling the new convertible faster than Lexus’s Kyushu plant in Japan can make them. Wards has the story: The facility is ramping up to produce at least 225 IS-C models a month just for the Northeast region of the U.S., Scott …
Kevin · July 8th, 2009

Details on the Fox Marketing Lexus IS-F Convertible

In May, I posted a computer render of Fox Marketing’s next Lexus SEMA project, which looked the part of an IS-F convertible. Beyond that, there wasn’t much in the way of details, until My.IS editor Joaquin went straight to the source to find out more: First off, in spite of the obvious IS F-style front …
Kevin · June 26th, 2009

CAR Magazine First Drive of the Lexus IS 250C

CAR Magazine’s first drive report on the Lexus IS 250C may be short, but it does have some information on European availability: Subjective looks aside, the Lexus IS 250C appeals on many levels. It’s a Lexus – so you can expect royal butler-levels of care and attentiveness from the dealer – and it is extremely …
Kevin · June 25th, 2009

Jalopnik Reviews the Lexus IS Convertible

Jalopnik had a chance to drive the Lexus IS Convertible, and their biggest complaint was the lack of rigidity in the body: The ‘vert gets beefed up in nearly every way, with side sills 50% taller, cross-vehicle beams under the rear seats and behind the rear seatbacks, a heftier A-pillar and substantial cross bracing underneath…Despite …
Kevin · June 24th, 2009

Will there be a Lexus IS Coupe or IS-F Convertible?

With the Lexus IS convertible arriving in dealerships, two questions have started to come up—Will there be an IS coupe? And what about an IS-F version of the convertible? The first question was posed to Lexus USA General Manager Mark Templin by Jalopnik, here was his reply: “Since all the hard work of getting a …
Kevin · June 15th, 2009

My.IS Reviews the Lexus IS Convertible

It’s unlikely that we’ll see a more thorough review of the Lexus IS-C than the one by Joaquin from My.IS, who dives into every conceivable feature of the new convertible: We left the top down, intrigued to see if Lexus’ efforts to ensure that top-down motoring was a quiet, relaxing and unruffled experience were successful. …
Kevin · June 5th, 2009

New Lexus IS Convertible Mini-Site

As part of their IS convertible advertising campaign, Lexus USA has put together a mini-site that’s just as much fun as their new commercials: The website first demonstrates the new features of the IS-C, then asks how you would use each highlighted point—then rates your answer on the Live a Little scale. It’s easy to …
Kevin · May 20th, 2009

Lexus IS-C Commercials

Lexus USA’s advertising campaign for the IS convertible has hit Youtube, with three short, interconnected videos: Live a little, a lot looks to be the IS-C’s tagline—I wonder if there will be more episodes to this series. Neat idea.
Kevin · May 15th, 2009

Edmunds Reviews the Lexus IS 350C

If Edmunds’ initial review of the IS 350C is any indication, Lexus’ new convertible looks like it could be a real winner: When the top is down, sunlight floods the IS C’s cabin and you’re overcome with a sense of well-being, so different from the wretched life you lead locked away in the office during …
Kevin · May 15th, 2009

Lexus Wallpaper of the Week: IS-Convertible Action

With the Lexus IS-C arriving at dealerships this month, I thought it only fitting to put together a desktop wallpaper showing the convertible roof in action: 1680×1050 | 1440×900 | 1280×1024 | 1280×800 | 1024×768 Pretty amazing to consider that it only takes 20 seconds for the roof to retract.
Kevin · May 14th, 2009

Lexus IS-C Sales Expectations

Lexus has shared some of the sales expectations of the new IS convertible—according to Automotive News, the company is hoping for worldwide monthly sales of 1,600 units. Whether or not such numbers are possible will depend entirely on North America, where 70% of production will be sent. “This is meant to appeal as an entry-level …
Kevin · May 8th, 2009

Lexus IS Convertible Spotted

A Lexus IS convertible coupe has been spotted out in the wild, and was photographed by an unnamed German magazine. Here’s a blown-up image, for a better look: As for the accompanying text, there’s some horsepower number ranging from 177 to 423, which translates right across the entire IS lineup, from the 220d to the …
Kevin · February 25th, 2008

The Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept Live @ The Detroit Auto Show

There’s more than a few photo galleries sprouting up of the Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept on the floor of the Detroit Auto Show, but the most comprehensive I’ve seen so far is at Autoblog. There’s times when the official manufacturer photos make a car seem utterly flawless, but this super-convertible looks even more impressive in …
Kevin · January 13th, 2008

The Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept is Unveiled

The suspense of the blue-tarped Lexus concept only lasted a few hours, as it was unveiled as the LF-A Roadster Concept, a convertible version of the LF-A and absolutely beautiful in red. The LF-A Roadster has the same front-mid engine layout as the LF-A, which places the engine between the front and rear passengers, and …
Kevin · January 13th, 2008

A Rendition of the Possible IS Coupe & Convertible

Since the comments made by John Roca, the Lexus Australia District Manager, that there’s a possible IS Coupe in the pipeline, there’s been a resurgence in interest in the idea, along with a potential convertible version. In light of that,  egmcartech.com has dug up some renderings of the cars, created by Christian Shulte Design. In …
Kevin · August 4th, 2007

Dreaming of an IS Coupe & Convertible

From Japan’s car magazine Car Top comes a digital rendition of a Lexus IS Coupe & Convertible: Keep in mind this is only a photochop and has no real basis in reality, though this car has been hinted at since 2005. Really, it’s more a question of when we’ll be seeing these cars, because the …
Kevin · May 30th, 2007