mysterious Lexus IS with heavy camouflage

hks786 · 05-07-2008, 06:36 PM

A mysterious Lexus IS with heavy camouflage has been spotted running laps at the Nurburgring and is believed to be a new performance derivative designed purely for competition. The prototype features a number of elements from the IS-F performance saloon, such as the bonnet bulge and aggressive front bumper, but it also sports a few unique features of its own, leading us to believe it also previews a facelift for the mid-sized sedan.

At the rear, the new prototype is fitted with an exhaust system that looks like the unit from the more regular V6 models and not the stacked quad pipes of the IS-F. One of the key features hinting that this could be a new performance car is the addition of a full roll cage inside the cabin. Lexus is expected to introduce coupe and convertible versions of the IS along with the facelift, a similar strategy to BMW with its 3-series range.

Lexus isn’t the only carmaker to be spotted testing versions of its regular production models fitted with motorsport gear. Nissan was also previously testing a GT-R coupe with a roll cage and racing style tow hooks and fuel caps. You can watch a video of the car in our previous story by clicking here.

hks786 · 05-07-2008, 06:37 PM

Crimson92 · 05-07-2008, 06:39 PM

hmmm...wonder what it is

JO3 · 05-07-2008, 06:41 PM

That's an interesting white-to-blue gradient in color there.

hks786 · 05-07-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JO3

That's an interesting white-to-blue gradient in color there.

I noticed it too. Any ideas guys?

Year's_End · 05-07-2008, 08:46 PM

lol, gradient's are so ghettooooo. Not sure what it could be.

Year's_End · 05-07-2008, 08:47 PM

My guess is it could be a mule for the IS coupe, a mule for the facelift, or a mule for a performance package-equipped IS.

TMNT · 05-07-2008, 09:43 PM

It's an IS hybrid....at least that's my guess

hmmm....anyone notice the Recaro seats in the 3rd pic?

T Bone · 05-07-2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMNT

It's an IS hybrid....at least that's my guess

Ditto.... Not enough air vents up front to cool off a motor hotter than the one in the IS-F.

The car is so hot that it is white hot in the nose and cools off to blue at the back of the car.

A performance Hybrid sedan....sounds like a typical Toyota nightmare.

AJerman · 05-07-2008, 09:48 PM

What? No fake dual stacked pipes? I thought that's where all the horsepower came from?!

OBI_agent · 05-08-2008, 06:02 AM

My money is on hybrid model....Looks at the rims....they are too simple for a performance car....I think the roll cage and the bulge is a camouflage...to make us think otherwise

Couch · 05-08-2008, 10:38 AM

I have to agree, my first thought was hybrid.

Crimson92 · 05-08-2008, 11:01 AM

why the hell would a hybrid need a roll cage and a recaro seat

maybe its an is they are building to use in some sort of competition

KL2DC · 05-08-2008, 11:04 AM

Testing out a new AWD system maybe

...since we're throwing out wild guesses

TheAcAvenger · 05-08-2008, 11:04 AM

I feel like that's an H sticking from under the camo.

The next hybrid lexus?

ksfrogman · 05-08-2008, 11:13 AM

By the looks of that hood it seems like it's on Viagra.

T Bone · 05-08-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimson92

why the hell would a hybrid need a roll cage and a recaro seat

maybe its an is they are building to use in some sort of competition

VTAK baby....oh wait....iVVT or something like that.

Just a safety thing looks like they are beating it up at the Ring.....

A performance hybrid....so Toyota....like rice.

hks786 · 05-08-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Bone

VTAK baby....oh wait....iVVT or something like that.

Just a safety thing looks like they are beating it up at the Ring.....

A performance hybrid....so Toyota....like rice.

Yeah I think you meant the VVTi (variable valve timing with intelligence). Time will tell what it is anyway. To be honest, the only Lexus I'm interested in right now is that LF-A supercar! cant wait for more concrete details.

Crimson92 · 05-08-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Bone

VTAK baby....oh wait....iVVT or something like that.

Just a safety thing looks like they are beating it up at the Ring.....

A performance hybrid....so Toyota....like rice.

toyota wants to build a perfomance car and theyre rice?

T Bone · 05-08-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimson92

toyota wants to build a perfomance car and theyre rice?

No they are not rice at all

Crimson92 · 05-08-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Bone

No they are not rice at all

yea....except for that.....stupid lexus

T Bone · 05-08-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimson92

yea....except for that.....stupid lexus

Also if you look at the Lexus's project names for their next cars....

Arborio
Basmati
Jasmine
Risotto
Stir-Fry

05-07-2008, 06:36 PM	#1
hks786 Major General 2276 Rep 5,364 Posts Drives: * Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	mysterious Lexus IS with heavy camouflage A mysterious Lexus IS with heavy camouflage has been spotted running laps at the Nurburgring and is believed to be a new performance derivative designed purely for competition. The prototype features a number of elements from the IS-F performance saloon, such as the bonnet bulge and aggressive front bumper, but it also sports a few unique features of its own, leading us to believe it also previews a facelift for the mid-sized sedan. At the rear, the new prototype is fitted with an exhaust system that looks like the unit from the more regular V6 models and not the stacked quad pipes of the IS-F. One of the key features hinting that this could be a new performance car is the addition of a full roll cage inside the cabin. Lexus is expected to introduce coupe and convertible versions of the IS along with the facelift, a similar strategy to BMW with its 3-series range. Lexus isn’t the only carmaker to be spotted testing versions of its regular production models fitted with motorsport gear. Nissan was also previously testing a GT-R coupe with a roll cage and racing style tow hooks and fuel caps. You can watch a video of the car in our previous story by clicking here. __________________
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05-07-2008, 06:37 PM	#2
hks786 Major General 2276 Rep 5,364 Posts Drives: * Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	__________________
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05-07-2008, 06:41 PM	#4
JO3 Lieutenant 14 Rep 566 Posts Drives: a lot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CA iTrader: (8)	That's an interesting white-to-blue gradient in color there.
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05-07-2008, 08:46 PM	#6
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1243 Rep 12,446 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	lol, gradient's are so ghettooooo. Not sure what it could be. __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
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05-07-2008, 08:47 PM	#7
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1243 Rep 12,446 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	My guess is it could be a mule for the IS coupe, a mule for the facelift, or a mule for a performance package-equipped IS. __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
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05-07-2008, 09:43 PM	#8
TMNT Captain 180 Rep 872 Posts Drives: 330ci ZHP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	It's an IS hybrid....at least that's my guess hmmm....anyone notice the Recaro seats in the 3rd pic?
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05-07-2008, 09:48 PM	#10
AJerman Major 32 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC iTrader: (0)	What? No fake dual stacked pipes? I thought that's where all the horsepower came from?! __________________ 2008 BMW 335i: Jet Black, Jade Gray, Gray Poplar, 6MT - Stock... for now.
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05-08-2008, 06:02 AM	#11
OBI_agent D to the X to the B! 357 Rep 2,106 Posts Drives: ABS,American bargain supercar Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dubai iTrader: (0)	My money is on hybrid model....Looks at the rims....they are too simple for a performance car....I think the roll cage and the bulge is a camouflage...to make us think otherwise __________________ 11 corvette C6
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05-08-2008, 10:38 AM	#12
Couch Colonel 146 Rep 2,900 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	I have to agree, my first thought was hybrid.
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05-08-2008, 11:04 AM	#14
KL2DC Moderator 326 Rep 17,767 Posts Drives: F36 428i,E90 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (23) Garage List 2015 F36 428i [0.00] 2011 E90 328i [0.00] 2006 E85 Z4 3.0i [0.00]	Testing out a new AWD system maybe ...since we're throwing out wild guesses __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call!
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05-08-2008, 11:04 AM	#15
TheAcAvenger Brigadier General 137 Rep 3,132 Posts Drives: 2018 R35 GTR / 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: 757 > Nova > Denver iTrader: (1)	I feel like that's an H sticking from under the camo. The next hybrid lexus? __________________ 2018 R35 GT-R Cicio800 \| 2007 E92 335i - RB Turbos, TC Kline DA Coils, HPA M3 Suspension, Quaife LSD, Stoptech BBK, JB4, FuelIT, AR Downpipes, RDSport Quads, Stett OC, Helix IC, Volk TE-37, Vorsteiner V-35, OSS Headlights \| Retired - 2015 F82 M4
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05-08-2008, 11:13 AM	#16
ksfrogman Major General 613 Rep 6,750 Posts Drives: E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	By the looks of that hood it seems like it's on Viagra. __________________
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