Tokyo 2010: Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sport Concept

Lexus' offerings for the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon included a lightweight concept version of the firm's performance-minded sports sedan. Dubbed IS F Circuit Club Sport or CCS for short, the prototype Lexus comes in an attention-grabbing bright orange finish and more carbon fiber than a NASA warehouse.

And we're talking about a lot of carbon fiber as the lightweight material is used for the newly designed hood, rooftop, rear wing, exterior mirrors, trunk, front spoiler lips, right down to the rear diffuser.

The same material is also found on the Lexus IS F's engine cover as well as in the interior on the door panels, center and lower console, steering wheel trim, and the transmission lever.

Unfortunately, Lexus did reveal the weight gains from the extensive use of carbon fiber parts on the sports car.

Other mods include the forged magnesium wheels and sport tires, high-performance carbon ceramic brakes, sport suspension, new exhaust system with a titanium sports muffler and the two-tone bucket seats inside.

Lexus said that the standard IS F's 5.0-liter V8 engine with 423HP (in JDM spec) has been left intact.

Photos by Phil Alex with the help of friends Mike and Aaron

Double Whammy: DUI Driver Smashes Into Another DUI's Crashed Car [Updated with New Video]

Two separate accidents that occurred in downtown Los Angeles today lead to the arrest of two people on suspicion of DUI (driving under the influence). This strange incident started when a female driver in a Lexus IS, who was later arrested for DUI, crashed with another car that allegedly drove off after the accident. A few minutes later, and while a cameraman was filming the incident, a third car with three people inside slammed into the Lexus!

According to the reports, the rear seat passenger in the white car that hit the Lexus was taken to the hospital for minor injuries, while the driver was apprehended by the boys-in-blue for driving under the influence. Luckily, no one was in the Lexus when the second accident occurred.

Hat tip to Andrew! - Via: KTLA

SEMA Show: Lexus IS Convertible Tuned by 0-60 Magazine

This here is 0-60 Magazine's tuning take on the new Lexus IS hardtop convertible. Among other mods, the IS C features GReddy Performance exhaust system, engine management computer and gauges, a KW coilover suspension system and Brembo Brakes with custom front and rear Big Brake kit (rotors and calipers). Style-wise, the Japanese convertible has been fitted with a Ings+1 exterior body kit and one-piece alloy wheels from Advan Racing Lightweight while the interior has been enhanced with a pair of Sparco bucket seats. More photos after the break.

Lexus IS 350C with 405HP Supercharged V6 by Fox Marketing Ready for SEMA Debut [with Videos]

If you have been keeping up with us here at julino billym, you probably know about the custom made Lexus IS 350C that Fox Marketing is preparing for the SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November. We've already shown you a teaser rendering as well as some photos of the car taken during the development phase but now, Fox Marketing has released detailed specs along with the first live photos and videos of the lime-green hardtop convertible that comes equipped with a supercharged version of the stock 3.5-liter V6 pumping out some 406 horsepower.

Other mechanical upgrades include a reworked suspension with Yonaka SPECII 36 way adjustable coilovers and 14-inch disc brakes with six-piston calipers.

The team over at Fox Marketing also dressed up the IS 350C with a custom made wide bodykit that includes front fenders and side skirts from the IS-F sports saloon along with 20-inch black alloy wheels wrapped around in Toyo T1R rubber.

Source: Fox Marketing , Via: Autoblog

Fox Marketing 2010 Lexus IS350C

Engine:

• Jashaan Autosports powered by ProCharger Supercharger System (405hp @ 6psi)
  
• ProCharger C-2 Blower
  
• Yonaka Intercooler Type 10 22x9x3
  
• Yonaka 2.5 inch Stainless Intercooler Piping
  
• Yonaka Couplers & Silicone hoses
  
• AMSOIL 0w-30 Signature Series Synthetic Fluids
  
• AMSOIL EA Oil Filter
  
• AMSOIL Antifreeze
  
• F-Sport Exhaust
  

  Interior:
  

• Lexus Cream White Interior
  
• BASF R-M Black Painted Interior Parts
  
• Classic Design Concepts Light Bar
  

  Exterior:
  

• BASF R-M Foxy Green Paint
  
• BASF R-M Black Paint
  
• Custom Lip molded front spoiler
  
• Custom IS F front fenders
  
• Custom IS F Side Skirts
  
• Custom 2 inch fender flares
  
• Custom Rear bumper flare
  
• Custom SEIBON Carbon rear wing
  
• Custom BASF R-M Carizzma Flat Black Grill Ring
  
• Custom BASF R-M Black Grill inserts
  
• Custom BASF R-M Foxy Green Lexus badge
  
• Custom BASF R-M Black Lexus rear logos
  

  Lighting:
  

• Lightwurkz Custom BASF R-M Carizzma Flat Black Headlight Casings
  
• Lightwurkz Custom 3 prong LED turn signals
  
• Lightwurkz Custom shaved center running light
  

  Brakes:
  

• F-Sport Big Brakes 14 inch 6 piston Calipers
  

  Suspension:
  

• Yonaka SPECII 36 way adjustable Coilovers
  
• TunedParts Rear Brace
  

  Wheels & Tires:
  

• Front: 20x9 iForged Sprint BASF R-M Carizzma Flat Black w/ Gloss Black Lips – Cream white bolts
  
• 245/30/20 Toyo T1R
  
• Rear: 20x11.5 iForged Sprint BASF R-M Carizzma Flat Black w/ Gloss Black Lips – Cream white bolts
  
• 305/30/20 Toyo T1R
  

  Partners:.Lexus, BASF Refinish, AMSOIL, Yonaka, iForged, ProCharger, F-Sport, Jashaan Autosports, Classic Design Concepts, Lightwurkz, Mugsy's Repair, Detrich Autobody, Impressive Signs, Tuned Parts, ClubLexus.com, my.is

Fatal Accident Prompts Toyota and Lexus to Warn Drivers to Remove Floormat Due to Risk of Accelerator Getting Stuck

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Toyota have eleased an official announcement to warn drivers of seven Toyota and Lexus models that there's a possibility that the accelerator pedal may get stuck in the full open position due to an "unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat." Even though it may not sound serious at first, Reuters reported that the U.S. government said it has received reports of 100 incidents related to this problem including 17 crashes and 5 fatalities involving Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

In one of these accidents, it was reported that an off-duty California state trooper and three members of his family were killed in a 2009 Lexus ES350 crash in San Diego. Reuters said that before the crash, a passenger of the ES350 has called the police to inform them that the accelerator was jammed and the car had reached 120mph (193km/h) at that time.

Although the San Diego incident is still under investigation, meaning that it is not yet confirmed that the floormat is to blame, Toyota said that it wanted to take precautionary measures on the matter.

"Obviously the tragic accident in San Diego was certainly an eye opener for all of us and we've paid very, very diligent attention to moving forward to try to make sure none of us will be reliving that kind of a very tragic situation," said Toyota spokesman Irv Miller.

Overall, Toyota is planning to issue a safety recall on around 3.8 million vehicles due to the issue with the driver's floor mat.

The affected Toyota models are the 2007-2010 Camry, 2005-2010 Avalon, 2004-2009 Prius, 2005-2010 Tacoma and 2007-2010 Tundra.

The Lexus modes affected by the recall are the 2007-2010 ES 350 and 2006-2010 IS 250 and IS 350 sedans.

Surprisingly, this is not the first time that Toyota has faced a problem with the driver's floormat as in September 2007, the firm recalled an accessory all-weather floor mat sold for use in 2007 and 2008MY Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry sedans because of similar issues.

The Japanese company said that until it "develops a remedy", it is asking the owners of the above models to "take out any removable driver's floor mat and NOT replace it with any other floor mat."

In the case that drivers are confronted with a jammed accelerator pedal, here's what Toyota recommends that they do:

From Toyota and Lexus Press Release: Should the vehicle continue to accelerate rapidly after releasing the accelerator pedal, this could be an indication of floor mat interference. If this occurs, Toyota recommends the driver take the following actions:

First, if it is possible and safe to do so, pull back the floor mat and dislodge it from the accelerator pedal; then pull over and stop the vehicle.

If the floor mat cannot be dislodged, then firmly and steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet. Do NOT pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to slow the vehicle.

Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.

If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF, or to ACC. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.

-If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button.

-If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.

Via: Toyota & Lexus, NHTSA and Reuters

Lexus IS-F Sighted in Lambo Orange: Stud or Dud?

The so-called Lamborghini orange is a sweet color that usually contains pearl orange mixed with some yellow. And while most supercars would probably look good in this hue, we're not so sure about this Lexus IS-F that was spotted in Slovakia. For one, we'd say that the owner should paint all the chrome parts such as the grille and the window trim in black while we'd also vote to replace the dark-gray factory alloy wheels with ones finished in black to provide a more vibrant contrast with the orange paint job. Check out the rest of the photos after the jump and tell us what you think.

Via: Autogespot

Fox Marketing Begins Work on Lexus IS 350 Convertible for SEMA

We first told you about Fox Marketing's Lexus IS Convertible project back in May when the tuner issued the first teaser sketch of the hotted-up cabrio that is slated to make its debut at the 2009 SEMA gathering the first week of November. Now, as well as revealing that the donor car will be the IS 350 C, the crew over at Fox Marketing also published a gallery of photos of the project car as it begins taking shape in their tuning shop.

The hardtop convertible will boast a custom made wide bodykit (somewhat inspired from the range-topping IS-F) complemented by a set of beefy 20-inch iForged Sprint alloy wheels shod in 305/30 R20 Toyo T1R tyres.

Previous reports stated that the IS 350C project car would get a turbocharged V6, but Fox Marketing has yet to reveal any details on the drop-top's specifications.

Via: Cardomain

Boys in Blue Acquire Lexus IS-F V8 Police Car in the UK

Humberside Police made automotive headlines today in the UK after the department announced that it has taken delivery of its first Lexus IS-F police car. The 168mph (270km/h) rear-wheel drive sports sedan that is powered by a 417HP 5.0-liter V8 engine will replace the current Subarus employed by the Roads Crime Section. Special decals and LEDs aside, the police version of the IS-F is equipped with £30,000 (about $50k or €34k) worth of on-board computers and communications equipment.

The department, which is responsible for policing the area covering the East Riding of Yorkshire, the city of Kingston, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire, said that specially trained officers spent 12 months evaluating a number of high performance vehicles before reaching a decision.

Sergeant Mike Peck of the Humberside Police Roads Crime Section said: "The purchase of the vehicle was far from an easy decision and involved research and advice from the force fleet manager, financial managers and a vehicle dynamics expert."

"The Lexus was tested during a 12 month period along with similar vehicles and proved itself to be ideally suited in providing a dynamically safe high performance chassis along with an electronically stable platform for the computer equipment. In the past this equipment has placed huge demands on vehicles but the Lexus IS-F easily met with our requirements," Peck concluded.