Power-hungry Lexus IS-F owners might be happy to know that Fox Marketing and Artisan are preparing a twin-turbo version of the Japanese performance sedan for the 2008 SEMA show that takes place in In terms of styling, the IS-F has been fitted with a clean bodykit consisting of custom made bumpers and side skirts complemented by new 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Toyo T1R tires (255/35R20 front and 305/30R20 rear).
These are the first photos of the
Although at a first glance the IS doesn’t look any different from the ’08MY IS, look a little closer and you may notice the new wing mirrors with the integrated turn lights, the slightly altered front grille, the newly designed 17 and 18 inch alloys, the redesigned front bumper with the more rectangular-shaped lower air intake and the revised taillamps with the L-shaped back-up lights. According to Lexus, the 2009 IS 250 / 350 also feature a newly designed center cluster and foldable rear headrests.
In terms of mechanical changes, Lexus says that both the IS 250 and IS 350 receive a revised suspension and steering tuning to further enhance the sedans’ handling. Additinaly, the IS 250 will be offered with standard with Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) with a cutoff switch, a feature that had been available previously only on the IS 350.
The 2009 IS 250 manual and automatic, IS 250 all-wheel drive, and IS 350 receive a 0.8-1.0 percent increase or $300 with base prices in the U.S. set at $31,155 for the IS 250 with a manual transmission, $32,325 for the IS 250 with an automatic transmission, $34,785 for the IS 250 all-wheel drive and $36,605 for the IS 350.
As for the top-end IS-F that was launched just earlier this year, changes are limited to a revised instrument panel cluster design, illuminated mirror controls, a new open/close moonroof switch, and a piano-black center-cluster finish for navigation-equipped vehicles. Lexus also offers a new terra cotta and black two-tone for the 2009 model. The IS F will have a base MSRP of $56,610 which accounts to an increase of 1.1 percent or $610 compare to the ’08MY IS-F.
For its second appearance at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas Lexus has joined forces once again with tuning specialists Five Axis to prepare a tricked out GS 460 Sedan. The Japanese luxury automaker did not release any specific details, but as you can see in the teaser sketch above, the GS 460 by Five Axis will feature among other things, an aggressive bodykit with new bumpers, side sills and a set of 5-spoke alloy wheels. -Continued
Lexus SEMA booth on Tuesday, November 4 will also host the Project IS F that returns to Las Vegas with a newly (and heavily) modified V8 engine bored and stroked to 5.75 liters filling the space under the hood as well as four unique IS F project cars created by Fox Marketing/Artisan Performance, Import Tuner Magazine/TEIN Suspension, 0-60 Magazine and MotorworldHype. Lexus will also display a special LX 570 created by ICON 4x4 Design.
Under the bonnet, the IS 250 Sport Concept receives a performance air intake, which according to Lexus, results in a three per cent power increase while a stainless steel "cat-back" exhaust system deliver a further increase of 1.5 per cent meaning that the 2.5-liter V6 engine should produce about 213HP. The manual gearbox receives a short shift kit, resulting in a 35 per cent reduction in fore and aft gearshift movement while a performance clutch delivers a 16 per cent increase in clamping force. Finally, the Sport Concept features a carbon-fibre engine cover, front and rear lip spoilers and lightweight graphite grey, 10-spoke, 19-inch forged aluminium wheels. "The addition of the performance enhancements to the IS range would assist in attracting younger buyers to the Lexus brand - and give Lexus a vehicle that aspiring IS F customers could step into. In the meantime, Lexus will concentrate on introducing the IS F performance sedan to the local market. Once we get the hero car into the marketplace, the rest will fall into place," he added.
As well as introducing the revised 2009 IS line-up and the all-new IS 250C Convertible, Lexus also previewed a sports-inspired IS 250 at the 2008 Australian International Motor Show that could enter production shortly. Based on the 2008 IS 250, the Sports Concept features a number of mechanical and visual enhancements including brakes, shock absorbers, sway bars, chassis braces, air intake, clutch, short shift kit, exhaust, 19-inch wheels, engine cover and spoilers. -Continued
More specifically, Lexus improved the IS 250's stopping power with a braking package that features six-piston callipers at the front and four-piston at rear as well as larger cross-drilled, two-piece brake rotors at front and rear. Suspension upgrades include the addition of Bilstein shock absorbers and springs while Body roll and chassis flex is further reduced with the adoption of sway bars and a chassis brace.
Lexus chief executive John Roca said the performance accessories fitted to IS 250 Sports Concept were currently under consideration for Australia. "The introduction of the IS 250 Sports Concept is still in preliminary stages but it's something we definitely want to investigate," Mr Roca said. 
Lately there seems to be an abundance of concept proposals all over the net from independent designers -professional or amateur. The most recent one to fall upon our hands is the Lexus LF SS which is a somewhat futuristic study for a next-generation Lexus GS created by Jin Hee Kim. According to the designer, while the premium sports sedan concept features the same wheelbase length as the current GS, the two vehicles differ significantly in their styling, drivetrain and packaging.
Jin Hee Kim supports that the LF SS has been designed to accommodate a hybrid drivetrain that comprises a V8 petrol engine and an electric motor backed up by a dye-sensitized solar cell which is a relatively new type of low-cost solar cells.
Taken as a whole, we'd say that Jin Hee Kim's styling proposal for the new GS ain't so bad but if we had a say in it, we'd tell him to completely rework the concept's front end as it looks like a swollen belly about to burst.
