Enter the rumormill: Lexus IS coupe cometh — Autoblog

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Enter the rumormill: Lexus IS coupe cometh

by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on May 27th 2007 at 12:31PM

Although we've heard the rumors before, and it still seems like a no-brainer, Lexus has remained mum on the introduction of an IS coupe. With its assault on everything held dear to the Bimmer and Merc people, it's simply a matter of time before Lexus takes aim at the 3-series and C-classes that have remained largely unchallenged in the sports coupe market.

The most recent ~~news~~ rumor comes via Nihon Car, who procured the above scan from the Japanese mag Car-Top. Granted, the photochopped image above is simply wishful thinking (that rear window looks a bit awkward), but a hardtop convertible version of the IS would be right at home in Lexus dealerships and in the garages of BMW and Mercedes refugees. But until we start seeing spy shots, we'll be taking that grain of salt, thank you very much.

[Source: Nihon Car and Bike]

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Lexus

Tags: convertible, coupe, hardtop, is, lexus, retractable

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1

3cubedminus3squared 12:57PM (5/27/2007)

That rear window looks awkward because it looks like it came off of a Cavalier.

2

MrMorix 1:12PM (5/27/2007)

I think this is an attractive car

3

Mike 1:31PM (5/27/2007)

Isn't that what the SC is for?

4

Tony 5:46PM (5/27/2007)

"it's simply a matter of time before Lexus takes aim at the 3-series and C-classes that have remained largely unchallenged in the sports coupe market."

So what are you trying to say here.. the Infiniti G35/G37 coupe don't count as a challenge????? Perhaps you should consider rephrasing this sentence.

5

paul34 1:45PM (5/27/2007)

It'll probably still come only in an automatic.

6

Namir 2:28PM (5/27/2007)

An IS coupe would be nice. Or at least a complete chassis up redesign of the SC to make it a legit SL or 6 series fighter. They need to hurry up and make the LF-A... and a offer a manual in the IS350/IS-F

7

geo.stewart 3:09PM (5/27/2007)

I'll wait for pictures out of Lexus before passing judgement. THIS picture is a terrible take. The door(s) would be longer, and the way the canopy lays down in the rear makes it look like someone took a taffy vrsion of the 350z and stretched it out of whack.

8

Carletti 3:48PM (5/27/2007)

If this is the planned IS cabrio, then Lexus has a hit in the making. In my opinion, these pictures of the cabrio make the car appear very desirable. I don't in the least bit mind the side window, as I think it serves to differentiate the IS from the 3 Series cabrio and because it just plain fits extremely well in my view. The car as a whole is proportional, the lines are very tidy and straight, and the rear slope to the sporty and compact boot is also very nicely done.

The front fog lamps are still odd in my view, the side mirrors are grody, the rear tail lamps still look overtly presumptuous, and the doors look extremely plain for the seductive cabrio segment. But since Lexus did a superb job in copying European style, and since it does look sportier than the 3 cabrio, and since it'll probably be priced lower, this car will sell.

9

Jason 10:33PM (5/27/2007)

1) We've been promised a coupe for 5 years now. This is just another rumor.
2) Pic looks awful. Same VW Eos proportion problems. If Lexus ever did one, it will not look like this.
Basically it's a slow news day and this blog is pretty much useless hype.

10

Jordan 6:29PM (5/27/2007)

I think it kinda looks like a chick car in convertible/coupe guise. The sedan looks badass, this not so much

11

Lexus IS Forums 9:42PM (5/27/2007)

Lexus needs to make a sporty 2door coupe like that. I like it!

http://my.is
Lexus IS Forums

12

Big A 10:08PM (5/27/2007)

This title of this article is confusing autoblog.
The picture shows the "rumoured" IS convertible with a metal folding roof (looks like 3 piece roof!!).

Either I'm missing something obvious but I always thought a coupe was a fix roof version.

13

jgp 10:29PM (5/27/2007)

Traditionally, "convertible" is supposed to be short for "coupe convertible". In other words, it's both a coupe and a convertible.

Nowadays, people only use "coupe convertible" when referring to power retractable hardtops (and the term isn't terribly common even in this case). So it would still fit this car...

14

charles 12:48PM (5/28/2007)

looks like the china built mg

15

Lexus IS 7:13PM (5/28/2007)

Wow, that looks much better as a coupe.

http://my.is

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