The IS430 is basically an IS300 with a 4.3-liter V8 engine.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/articles/publish/article_77.shtml

Base Model: 300 hp / 320 lb-ft of torque

Supercharged Model: 400 hp / 440 lb-ft of torque

Supercharged V8

They can keep it.

Power or not that car is fugly as the old one :(

The design, imo, is not ugly. It's just a little plain that's all. Some people like plain :p

UGLY???
That car looks sweet, just not enough performance for the price.

That looks nice.. I'm afraid to ask how much..

Yeah~ the IS is still a sharp looking car after 3 years. The Altezza lights aren't aging nicely because of the wannabes and rice crowd. The aggressive stand on this car still looks very nice. Unfortunately the IS430 will not materialize this generation. The next IS330 should show up at the shows next year and be available in sedan/coupe version. I am looking forward to that.

I dunno. It's a fairly nice design, but I don't like the fact that the front and rear look like they've been chopped off. Doesn't feel well proportioned. I do like the engine though....

The next M3 will kick its ass.

I actually like the IS300. It's just too slow. I test drove one and was unimpressed with the performance. I really liked the interior though. Nice material and good finish. Just for fun I also test drove the Acura TSX last weekend and I think it beats the IS300 in just about every category. So unless the IS430 is really cheap, I don't see the point.

I wish we had the option to get the 4 banger turbo like in Japan.. Keep the weight low and weight distribution even.. oh well..

Japan always gets the good versions of cars. But things are statrting to change (WRX, Evo, TSX, etc.).:)

Is it just me, or does anyone else see a resemblance to Mercedes sedans in this car's lines?

Originally posted by Schneegz
Is it just me, or does anyone else see a resemblance to Mercedes sedans in this car's lines?

gerald bonengel is in charge of the engine "development engineer of brabus mercedez."

IS300 is just not enough performance for the price asking, if lexus get their marketing a bit better on the IS430... it would sell like hot cakes.

Grand-Am Cup Lexus race car.

http://www.teamlexus.com


IS info:

http://www.is300.net

September 19, 2002

The first Lexus IS300 V8 prototype was caught earlier this week undergoing shakedown-tests at the challenging German Nürburgring racetrack. Wider fenders front and rear, additional air-intakes besides the fog-lights, bigger wheels and a rear spoiler will clearly distance the V8 version from its less potent brothers.

Most impressive, however, will be the mid-mounted extra thick single exhaust pipe, releasing a storm of exhausts when the car is put to the limits. Those will come from Lexus’ 4.3-liter 32-valve V8, developing some 320 HP in revised form.

Though that’s less than we can expect from the upcoming M3, the sports-version of the IS300 won’t be a slow car. And, after undergoing chassis refinements, it’ll be a very comfortable one to drive, too, with perfect road manners and a smooth-running engine

No word yet as to when we can expect the new V8 version, but Lexus fans are already lining up.

The normally aspirated Lexus 4.3-liter V8 is used in Grand-Am sportscar racing. The racing version V8 produces 500 hp.

http://www.toyota.com/motorsports/grandam/specs.html

Toyota Grand-Am Daytona Prototype race car

http://www.cegwa.com

Speed World Challenge Lexus Touring Car

Check out the Lexus IS300 race car in June issue of Car&Driver (p.148).

http://www.speedvisionwc.com

Since this car came out I never liked it. It was made to compete with the 3-Series and it can't even do that correctly. I think the only reason people buy them is because it comes with those cleared out taillights stock, and cause I guess it's cool to say "Lexus". One of my best friends owns one too and there's nothing really special about it. The interior is the worst of all. You would think the luxury division of Toyota would actually make the car, you know, luxurious, but I guess not.

Tony, didn't you say Toyota wasn't going to enter the horsepower wars? You think they'll bring this over?

Oh, by the way, if anyone wants to check out the supposed 2004 Model IS then check out the link. IMO it STILL looks like doodoo.

http://www.autofiend.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=51