Lexus IS: 2nd Generation (2005-Present)

Every year, the JM Lexus dealership in South Florida sponsors the Lexus/Supra Mega Meet, a two day event set up for enthusiasts to both check out and show off some custom rides.

To mark the occasion, JM Lexus put together a heavily modified IS 350, featuring not only every F-Sport accessory available but also a full reworking of the interior & exterior.

Anthony Barbosa of JM Lexus filled me in on the details:

Originally this project vehicle was designed for the purpose of the Mega Meet and advertising for the dealership. The main goal of this project was to be able to showcase what we here at JM Lexus could do in house…we are excited to be able to make our Lexus customers get their own unique/personalized vehicles all done in house.

What’s more, the IS 350 was sold long before it made its Mega Meet debut, selling for a price of $96,000 (!!!). (Of course, looking at the full list of mods minimizes the sticker shock quite a bit.)

For the full effect, Anthony was also kind enough to send me a number of photos, including some taken during the build:

Exterior Modifications:

1. Custom Two-tone Paint Pearl White Factory White With The Top Half Is-f Blue
2. Custom Black Solid Hand Painted Stripe
3. Lexus Oem Ground Effects
4. Custom Lexus “IS” Painted Factory Grille And Badges

Interior Modifications:

1. Custom Leather White Inserts
2. Custom Black Headliner And Pillar Posts
3. Llmar ATX Window Tint

Electronic Upgrades:

1. JL Audio 500/1v2 Amplifier
2. JL Audio G6600 Amplifier
3. Two JL Audio C-5 6 1/2 Component Speakers
4. Two 10″ W3v3 Subwoofers
5. Custom Fiberglass Enclosure Painted To Match
6. Custom Trunk Lid Cover w/ Two Monitors And F-Sport Logo
7. Embroidering F-Sport Into Stock Floor Mat
8. PS3 In Trunk
9. Front Video Conversion
10. Rossen Dual Headrest Monitors
11. Rossen ½ Din Dvd Player In Glove Box

Mechanical Modification:

1. F-Sport Engine Cover
2. F-Sport Brake Upgrades Front And Rear
3. F-Sport Exhaust System
4. F-Sport Performance Air Intake
5. F-Sport Shock Set
6. F-Sport Lowering Springs
7. F-Sport Rear Chassis Member Brace
8. F-Sport Sway Bar Set
9. MHT Mantra Chrome Wheels 19″ W/ Custom Powder Coating
10. Pirelli P-zero Nero 235/35/19 Front, 265/30/19 Rears High Performance Tires

These Lexus IS coupe photochops from Top Speed might be almost two years old, but when I spotted the thumbnails on Flickr today, I thought it was the real deal:

I have a feeling the coupe is going to be a looker, but this example lacks the hard edge that I’d like to see. One thing I really liked in the grainy spy shot of the IS convertible was how chunky the rear looked, though that was more than likely just some elaborate camouflage.

The DRC Motorsports Lexus IS-GTF (which has suitably been renamed as an IS 350) had a bumpy start to its inaugural race this past weekend, my.IS has the details:

The #72 DRC Motorsports Lexus IS 350 made its initial Mid-Ohio appearance during the second practice session, but entered pit lane before completing a full practice lap. The team opted to sit out qualifying, as well, and, thus, started at the very back of the pack of the 30-car SPEED World Challenge Grand Touring class grid…Yet, never underestimate 2007 SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Champion Jeff Altenburg, for he managed to finish the race in 24th place, only one lap down from the first 19 cars, and ahead of five Dodge Vipers and a Chevrolet Corvette, delivering a very credible first effort.

Hard to expect anything in a race when you start in last place, so placing 24th is a good result. The RDC IS should see action again at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, scheduled for August 10th.

Whatever the reason, every time the Lexus IS-F & racing are linked together, it ends up being super-confusing. Case in point: My.IS has posted a story about pair of race-modified IS-Fs owned by DRC Motorsports that are about to enter the GT class of the SPEED World Challenge — only they’re not really IS-Fs, but the two race cars purchased from Team Lexus.

Regardless, the cars are powered by a 510hp 4.7-liter V8, and the first one will be making its debut this weekend in Ohio. The driver, Jeff Altenburg, was last year’s SWC Touring Car champion. The race itself will be broadcast on SPEED TV on Thursday, July 24 at 1:00pm.

[Source: My.IS via Autoblog]

A number of details on the 2009 Lexus IS have been released by Lexus in the latest issue of their magazine. Here’s a scan:

This verifies the information revealed in a document that showed up on Club Lexus last week, which was very specific about the upcoming changes. Let’s summarize:

• New Grille
• New front & rear bumpers
• Integrated turn signals in the door mirrors
• Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management(VDIM) now standard on the IS 250
• New color: Truffle Mica
• Discontinued color: Desert Sage Metallic
• New woodgrain trim: Dark grey bird’s eye maple
• Discontinued woodgrain trim: Auburn bird’s eye maple
• New 17″ & 18″ wheels
• Wallet Smart Key standard on IS 350, optional on IS 250

All in all, there’s enough changes here to brighten the car up until the new IS. Looking forward to the new grille and bumpers, though I wonder which direction it will go: IS-F or GS-facelift?

Motor Trend took delivery of a Lexus IS 250 deked out with the entire F-Sport catalog, and was generally impressed with the difference the factory modifications made:

The brakes, for example, are of the same six-piston front, four-piston rear, two-piece ventilated and drilled rotor design found on the IS F — and they’re brilliant, hauling the car down from freeway speeds with tenacity and a firm pedal. The clutch is fantastic too, with wonderfully predictable take-up and a firm, but unobtrusive feel. The suspension, on the other hand seems a bit of a let down on Southern California roads.

Oh, and Lexus has also tested its equipment on the track, unlike so many posers. In fact, at their California testing venue, Lexus claimed the full F-Sport equipped IS 250 ran an average of just over three seconds faster per lap than a stock version. Assuming accurate timing, it’s hard to argue with that.

With all the F-Sport mods applied to a single car, the cost is substantial, jumping from the IS 250’s base price of $31,220 to $45,548. Of course, I don’t imagine that would be a very common occurrence, it’s much more likely to be bought piecemeal based on the driver’s preference.