Lexus Recalling 214,500 LS, IS and GS Sedans in the USA

Approximately 214,500 Lexus car owners in the U.S. are to receive a recall notification in their mail box over the next few weeks. The Japanese automaker determined that on certain 2006 through 2008 model year GS300/350, IS250/350, and LS460/460L vehicles, some ethanol fuels with a low moisture content may corrode the internal surface of the fuel delivery pipes. Over time, this condition could lead to the creation of a pinhole in the fuel delivery pipes resulting in fuel leakage. As one would expect, Lexus dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipes with newly designed components at no extra cost.

2009 Lexus IS Facelift Goes on Sale in the UK with Lower Prices

More often than not, when automakers perform a facelift on one of their vehicles prices tend to go up, but that logic doesn't apply on the UK market 2009 IS. Depending on the model, Lexus has cut prices between £702 and £1,057. For the 2009 IS range Lexus introduces a new three-grade structure (SE, SE-I and SE-L trims) with enhanced specifications across the board. The most important upgrade is the provision of the firm's Vehicle Integrated Dynamics Management (VDIM) as standard on all models.

In a nutshell, exterior changes on the 2009 IS concern the new front bumper with a revised grille, the door mirrors with integrated indicator lamps, the subtly restyled taillights and the newly-design 17-inch and 18-inch alloys. In the cabin the changes are limited to minor adjustments to the tone of interior upholsteries and trims and the shape of switches and graphics on the center console.

Under the skin Lexus has retuned the anti-roll bar, suspension and EPS while a paddle shift function is newly available on "D" mode in the six-speed automatic transmission.

Also, minor revisions to the IS 220d's turbo diesel engine les to the reduction of CO2 emissions from 168 to 163g/km, moving the model down a band for Vehicle Excise Duty (E to D) which means that owners saves £25 pounds on a year's road fund license.

New 2009 Lexus IS prices vs current IS prices

CURRENT IS MODEL	OTR PRICE	CUSTOMER SAVING
IS 220d	£23,192	£702
IS 220d SE	£25,842	£847
IS 220d SE-L	£27,942	£782
IS 250	£24,127	£927
IS 250 auto	£24,937	£927
IS 250 SE	£26,777	£1,057
IS 250 SE auto	£27,587	£1,057
IS 250 SE-L	£29,687	£837

Lexus to Show Off Four IS-Fs and a IS 350 with F-Sport Accessories at SEMA

Lexus is marking its return to the Las Vegas SEMA Show with a selection of four modded IS-Fs and a F-Sport accessorized IS 350. Among the four IS-Fs that have been customized by various tuners and magazines is last year's menacing Five Axis "Project IS F" that has been fortified with a new 5.8-liter V8 engine. Check out the details and pictures on the IS-Fs and the IS 350 right after the jump. -Continued

Project IS F by Five Axis

Lexus Description: Following its stunning debut in 2007, the Five Axis Project IS F went back to the shop for another makeover, this time in the engine compartment. With 416 hp on tap right out of the box, the standard IS F is no slouch. But the Project IS F concept brief included exploring the performance potential of its direct-injected 5.0-liter V8, so it now sports 5.8 liters while receiving ported and flowed cylinder heads, a new exhaust system and changes to the electronic controls. The upshot is enough power and torque to put an evil grin on even the most jaded enthusiast's face.

IS 350 with F-Sport Accessories

Lexus Description: The IS 250/350 is Lexus' entry point into the luxury sport sedan arena. It's a tuner-friendly and robust platform that responds extremely well to performance upgrades. This car is fully loaded with all the offerings from the F-Sport performance accessory catalog. It also sports a new concept ground-effects body kit designed to complement the increased performance and aggressive stance provided by the F-Sport components

IS F by Fox Marketing/Artisan Performance

Lexus Description:Fox Marketing and Artisan Performance teamed to create this subtle yet aggressive makeover of the already aggressive IS F. The subtle part involves the numerous bodywork changes, which enhance rather than rethink the lines of the IS F, making it look even more muscular in the process. 'Aggressive' can be applied to the engine which gets the full twin-turbo treatment. Fox expects the changes will yield something north of 600 horsepower.

IS F by Import Tuner Magazine/TEIN

Lexus Description: Import Tuner Magazine and TEIN suspension company put their collective heads and expertise together to create an IS F that's focused on track performance, while still remaining practical for the street. Weight reduction, added chassis stiffness, special suspension and big sticky tires take care of the corners, while a comprehensive nitrous system boosts the engine for bursts of overtaking power. Coming soon to a track near you.

IS F by 0-60 Magazine

Lexus Description: With track performance a common theme among IS F builders, 0-60 Magazine ups the ante on their IS F project with a supercharger to tease out another load of horses from the big V8. Carbon fiber body components reduce weight while lowering the center of gravity and a custom roll cage adds stiffness and protection. A beefy brakeupgrade kit was added to balance the performance equation.

IS F by MotorworldHype.com

Lexus Description: MotorworldHype has taken another path that is a bit less aggressive, yet more easily accessible for the average consumer. Lots of carbon to reduce some unwanted mass and a well-rounded package of suspension, brake, engine and cosmetic changes provide sharper responses in all directions.

Lexus Bringing GS 460 by Five Axis to SEMA Show

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.

Lexus IS 250 Sports Concept with Performance Upgrades Debuts in Sydney

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.

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.

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.

"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.

Lexus IS 250C Convertible Raises the Heat in Sydney

We can't quite put our finger on it, but there was something scorching hot about the Lexus IS 250C Coupe Convertible that made its Asia-Pacific premier at the 2008 Australian International Motorshow in Sydney motorshow about a week after its Paris debut. Perhaps it was the lighting or the fiery color of Lexus' hardtop convertible - we're not sure. Hit the jump below to check out our extensive gallery of the IS 250C and... Cheyenne Tozzi -20 y.o. and 5.10'' / 1.78m in case you're wondering, or click here for more details on the car (yeah right). -Continued

Lexus IS Convertible: Videos and Paris Show Image Gallery

Completing our Paris Show report on the all-new Lexus IS 250C that began with the first details and continued with the xtra large official gallery, we now have video footage and live photos of the coupe-convertible IS from the Japanese firm’s motorshow stand. Hit the jump to see how Lexus’ BMW 3-Series Convertible rival looks under the spot light and while you’re at it, watch the IS 250C’s aluminum roof top in action.

Lexus IS 250C Exterior and Hard Top Operation

Lexus IS 250C Interior

Lexus IS Coupe-Convertible: 35 High-Res Images

One of the most anticipated premieres of the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the all-new Lexus IS 250C coupe-convertible was officially unveiled today. Equipped with a three-piece aluminum hardtop that folds down (or up) with the touch of a button in 20 seconds, the IS 250C is powered by the same 204 HP 2.5-liter V6 found in the IS sedan. According to Lexus, the four-seat IS Convertible will also be available with a 306 HP 3.5-liter V6 when the vehicle goes on sale in the US during the second quarter of 2009. -Continued

Both variants will be offered with a standard 6-speed manual gearbox and an optional 6-speed automatic transmission. When you’re finished examining our high-resolution image gallery below, see what we wrote about Lexus’ new BMW 3-Series Convertible and Infiniti G37 Convertible rival in our initial post on the 2009 IS 250C by clicking here.