German Car Zone

PRESS RELEASE

IS 250C – World Premiere

Making its world debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the new IS 250C combines the sporting elegance of the IS sedan with superlative engineering ingenuity to create a unique fusion of top-down driving pleasure and uncompromised closed-top dynamic performance in the premium sedan segment. Its lightweight, aluminium folding roof structure boasts the fastest three-part roof opening time of just 20 seconds. Through the remarkably compact packaging of its roof mechanism, the IS 250C offers a large boot space, generous rear seat access and spacious rear passenger accommodation.

Sharing the IS 250's 153kW/208DIN hp, 2.5 litre ultra-smooth V6 powerplant and 6-speed automatic transmission, the new Lexus convertible has been styled to offer minimal wind turbulence when driving with the hard top stowed. The enhanced torsional stiffness of the IS 250C design promotes ride comfort appropriate to the marque and, in coupe configuration, reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NV


Paris 2008: 2009 Lexus IS250C - Autoblog


M

Nearly died from a simultaneous heart attack and uncontrollable vomit. Why can't Lexus just do a simple coupe version instead of this abomination.

Hilarious. Easy, this is the SC430's replacement as the SC430 will be dropped in a year or two.

I know one thing the 3-Series and new G37 Convertible have absolutely nothing to worry about.

M

Such a poor effort in my eyes. They had to raise the side and give it the most ugly side profile to even achieve a coupe like look. 1/10 as far as efforts go. Back to the drawing board Lexus. Makes my 335i convert look even better...

Oh gosh lexus..

The sedan has a more coupish roof line than this.

Here's the BMW 3 Series fighter we've been expecting from Lexus for years. Dubbed the 2010 Lexus IS 250 C and IS 350 C, this new two-door features a three-piece retractable hardtop that folds away in 21 seconds according to Lexus. The collapsible roof is made entirely of aluminum to save weight and all the seals have been optimized to deliver the same interior noise levels as the IS sedans. There will be no hardtop coupe, so if you were hoping for a two-door IS-F you're out of luck for now.

Compared to the sedans, the IS 250/350 C is identical underneath the skin; same engine lineup and same suspension except for a few tweaks to compensate for the added weight of the convertible roof. The doors are 11.8-inches longer and there are two additional inches of rear overhang in order to maintain sufficient cargo room in the trunk -- two golf bags worth with the top up according to Lexus. A revised gauge cluster is said to be easier to read in bright sunlight while the climate control and audio systems are both speed sensitive to compensate for top-down driving.

It's classic Lexus in terms of precise execution, but the result is an awkward mess of conflicting lines and odd proportions. The A-pillars are too short compared to the long nose and the rear end appears abnormally high and bulky. Put it next to a 3 Series convertible and the Lexus would look even more thrown together. You'll be able to judge for yourself next year as the IS 250/350 C is scheduled to go on sale late next spring. - Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line



http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightlin...-250350-c.html


Even the models look uninteresed.

M

About the best looking pics I've seen, and it still looks goofy.

M

Reminds me of a sebring from the rear 3/4 angle.

It's actually pretty funny, how terrible the car is.

The IS is my favorite Lexus but WTH is this?! The only way it looks half decent is when the roof is down.