With all these three high-performance sedans arriving in dealerships within the next couple of months, we’ve seen many car magazines running a comparison test of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG, Lexus IS-F and the 2008 BMW M3 Sedan. This time our friends at CAR give us their take on the three hotties.

Hmm, we wonder why they don’t pay much attention to the Lexus IS-F in this video?

Refresher:

2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG: 6.3 liter V8 engine producing 451 horsepower. 0-60 in 4.3 seconds
2008 Lexus IS-F: 5.0L direct-injection V8 engine producing 416 horsepower. 0-60 comes in 4.9 seconds
2008 BMW M3 Sedan: 4.0 liter V8 engine producing 414 horsepower. 0-60 in 4.9 seconds.

Click through for the video.

Continue reading…

We’re totally confused as to what this can be. A faded colored (blend from white through turquoise and to IS-F type blue) Lexus IS was spotted at the Nurburgring in Germany. Through the heavy camo you can see a buldge on the hood, a full roll cage and Recaro bucket seats.

So what is this? Could it be Lexus is working on a rival for the M3 CSL? Back in December we reported on that Lexus could be working on a higher-performing IS-F dubbed the IS-F/R. The more powerful IS-F is rumored to be powered by a 5.0 liter V8 engine that produces 429 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. Weight of the car is expected to be dropped by 220 pounds through the use of some carbon fiber on the body along with a stripped down interior. Notice there is no passenger seat in the shots.

So is this it? Check out the video and images of this weird looking IS-F after the jump. Make sure you listen to the sound of the car speeding by. We also added Clarkson Top Gear review of the BMW M3 CSL for your viewing pleasure.

Click through for the video and images.

Spy Shots: Lexus IS-F/R spotted at the Nurburgring?

   

Continue reading…

Toyota is shining with pride in the UK. In a recent J.D. Power survey, Lexus was ranked as the leader in customer satisfaction while the Toyota Prius retained its position as the top-ranked model in the UK.

The results were based on interviews of more than 16,000 UK car owners after they had owned the vehicles for more than two years. Owners were surveyed about quality, reliability, appeal, dealership service and ownership costs.

Continue reading…

So you want to buy a luxury car but don’t want to end up spending more than $50,000? Check out Forbes list of the Top 10 best luxury cars costing $50,000 or less. Forbespoints out the luxury automakers are targeting young professionals with high-paying jobs and are looking to transition into a luxury vehicles.

“You are treating yourself with these vehicles,” says Stephanie Brinley, senior manager of product analysis at AutoPacific, a market research firm covering the auto industry. “It is reaching a level of maturity.”

Let us know what level of maturity you’ve reached and which car you’d consider purchasing on the list.

Click through for the list of Top 10 best luxury cars costing $50,000 or less.

Continue reading…

When Lexus launched the ‘F’ brand to compete with the BMW M-Division and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG, a couple of the industry folks had a good folk. Mainly because when you here performance driving, Lexus is the last thing that pops up in many peoples minds.

However, continuing to prove that it is very serious about making its mark in the high-performance segment, Lexus has announced the dates and pricing for its Lexus Performance Driving Academy; and pricing is pretty impressive for what you get to drive.

Continue reading…

While everyone was running around scared on April 15 getting their taxes done, Lexus was busy filing a trademark for the upcoming Lexus IS Coupe. According to the my.IS fourm Lexus filed applications with both the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Canadian Trade-Marks Office for IS250C, IS300C and IS350C trademarks.

We expect the same powertrain lineup to be fitted into the IS Coupe from the IS250, IS300 and IS350. The Lexus IS Coupe will go head-to-head with the BMW 3-Series Coupe, Audi’s A5 and the upcoming Cadillac CTC (or CTS Coupe).

Continue reading…

It was just a matter of time before we started seeing spy shots of the new and improved Lexus LF-A hitting up the Nurburgring. Last week we had reported whether or not the Nissan GT-R and its Nurburgring laptime of 7:38.54 (Spec-V came in at 7:24) had scared the Lexus LF-A into an unexplainable disappearance of the upcoming Toyota supercar.

Almost the next day, spy shots popped up of the LF-A with a new large rear-wing, bigger brakes, a new aerokit and new wheels. Toyota has also confirmed that the Lexus LF-A will take part in the 24-hour Nurburgring race this May.

Now we have a new video of the Lexus LF-A doing some fly-bys with the screaming sound of the 5.0 liter V10 500-hp engine.

Click through for the video.

Continue reading…

The MotorTrend folks point out an interesting fact. The Lexus LF-A has disappeared from the Nurburgring tracks ever since the production Nissan GT-R hit the road. Even Chevrolet remains there with the Corvette ZR1 bringing in lap times of 7:40.

It could very well be that Toyota’s schedule for testing the Lexus LF-A. However, with Toyota claiming that the Lexus LF-A will be the company’s first real and extreme supercar, and with the technical specs and testing results of the GT-R, the LF-A has a lot to live up to.

Continue reading…

So now that the pricing for the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG has finally been released, we’re wondering which high-performance sedan you’d pick from the 2008 lineup.

Coming in at $54,625, The 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG falls in between the $54,725 BMW M3 Sedan and the $56,000 Lexus IS-F. Very close to the M3 though.

Check out the performance figures for each:

2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG: 6.3 liter V8 engine producing 451 horsepower. 0-60 in 4.3 seconds
2008 BMW M3 Sedan: 4.0 liter V8 engine producing 414 horsepower. 0-60 in 4.9 seconds.
2008 Lexus IS-F: 5.0L direct-injection V8 engine producing 416 horsepower. 0-60 comes in 4.9 seconds

Click through to make your vote.

Continue reading…

When you think of Hennessey, you think of extremely powerful Dodge Vipers. But let’s not forget that tuner John Hennessey and his team are also known for tuning BMWs, Buggatis and Fords.

No in an interview with InsideLine, John Hennessey dropped hints that the tuner make be looking to work on Japanese automakers Lexus and Nissan.

Continue reading…

So here is the first rendered speculation of what Lexus’ hybrid-only model will look like. The car which is set to debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show is being called a ‘lifestyle wagon-like vehicle based on the Prius platform and drivetrain.’

More info has popped up on VWVortex forums courtesy of a scan from MagX. According to the post, the Lexus hybrid, internally known as the 812L, will have a roofline similar to that of the Prius with distinct Lexus styling that will be in sync with the L-finesse design language.

Continue reading…

We’re not going too talk to much because we’re sure you’re already clicking through to see the video. Check out this video from AutoExpress’ as they pin the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG up against the new 2008 BMW M3 Sedan and the Lexus IS-F.

Refresher:

2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG: 6.3 liter V8 engine producing 451 horsepower. 0-60 in 4.3 seconds
2008 Lexus IS-F: 5.0L direct-injection V8 engine producing 416 horsepower. 0-60 comes in 4.9 seconds
2008 BMW M3 Sedan: 4.0 liter V8 engine producing 414 horsepower. 0-60 in 4.9 seconds.

Click through for the video.

Continue reading…

Ever since its launch in the U.S. market in 1989, Lexus has enjoyed a lot of success with the Americans becoming a top selling brand by 2000. But the brand has been struggling in its home market ever since it was launched there three years ago. Luxury buyers in the Japanese market seem to be more interested in foreign brands, mainly German marquees like BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

By the time Lexus arrived in Japan, German brands had dominated the luxury segment, leaving Lexus in the dust. Lexus reached only 60% of Toyota’s initial sales projections to date.

Continue reading…