In case you hadn't noticed, SEMA is a fairly big deal over in the States. Even the mainstream manufacturers such as
Ford
Hyundai
spend plenty of dollars on collaborative show car projects. We won't cover all the cars, we couldn't cover them all, but a rather exciting Lexus has been announced today.
Looks quite subtle by SEMA standards...
Predictably the focus is on the latest IS, with a few different approaches to make it, well, a rather more interesting car. So the yellow car is from Vossen Wheels, riding low on 20s with LFA Pearl yellow paint and a Tommy Kaira (remember them?) bodykit.
The white IS features a load of carbon parts as it's the Seibon Carbon display car, whilst Gordon Ting created the IS AWD carrying the carbon Lexus road bike. The less said about the orange Paul Tolson/Gabriel Escobedo effort the better.
But we've only got eyes for one of the Lexus exhibits, the Philip Chase IS340. Based on an IS250, its engine has been swapped for a Toyota Supra 2JZ GTE, then stroked to 3.4-litres. Forged internals, bigger Garrett turbos, new injectors, an uprated intercooler feature in a huge list of tweaks to produce around 700hp and 500lb ft. In a Lexus IS.
... not under here though!
Other interesting spec highlights include a 'Custom hand brake system (for Drifting)', Brembo brakes, KW V3 coilovers, Sparco seats and an OS Giken LSD. Oh, and a five-speed manual gearbox. Yep, no whining CVT or sluggish auto here, the drifter's Lexus has a stick and three pedals. Excellent.
Of course these show cars have no direct relevance to any future IS variants made by Lexus, but hopefully another IS-F is in the works? The last version was far better than anyone expected, and we know it will at least have another M3 to compete with. Don't expect 700hp and a manual though... And whilst we're here Lexus, what about the 650hp LS?