Intresting News On The Is200/300

[spyshot]

Hi guys, some even more interesting news has come my way from within the Toyota/Lexus world

In August 2003 Lexus GB will be releasing a special edition IS200/300

There are also plans to release a diesel-engined model to be powered by either a 2.5 or the 3.0 diesels from the Land Cruiser, this should be before the end of the year.

The 4-speed auto currently in use in the IS200 will be dropped in favour of a 5-speed auto.

TMC is aiming that all Toyota and Lexus models will be EURO NCAP 5 star rated by the next few years, as and when the new models are released

Thanks

Spyshot

[jonthebarber]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Matthew_McNally]

diesel IS is a good move.

wouldn't want one myself - but the lack of a diesel engine is a hole in the range, not surprising that Lexus are filling it.

5 speed instead of 4 speed autobox is eminently sensible.

Special edition? hmmmm very interesting.

/Matt stands back and waits for the IS430 speculation to start!

could it be the yellow coloured one?

[Matthew_McNally]

should hang around on these boards more often spyshot - we go throug this regularly!

Mat (supracharged IS340) will here shortly to shout at us all for even mentioning it!!!

[Monster-Mat]

:D ......ohhhhhh nooooooo not the is430 stuff again

[ricky_is200]

There are also plans to release a diesel-engined model to be powered by either a 2.5 or the 3.0 diesels from the Land Cruiser, this should be before the end of the year.

It will be good if they fit a powerfull diesel similar to the *** 330d. I'd hate to think they'd stick a small underpowered unit.

[Matthew_McNally]

It will be good if they fit a powerfull diesel similar to the *** 330d. I'd hate to think they'd stick a small underpowered unit.

True.

had a 530d for a while.

didn't like the handling at all - didn't impress me much.

but the engine was a completely different story.

that opened my eyes to diesel.

[UKPulse]

Special edition IS200/300? Wonder what that'll be.... maybe it'll be the "SportDesign" model from the States? (11-spoke 17" alloys, sports grille, new interior & exterior colours, chrome tail piece on exhaust, black pearl finish badging) ?? :)

[Zee007]

Where did you get this information from Spyshot..........???

[Chris.S]

could it be the yellow coloured one?

Yellow is already available,we have a Sport with styling kit on order in yellow which is due to arrive next month

[Matthew_McNally]

Where did you get this information from Spyshot..........???

Zee - I spoke to Spyshot and (s)he does seem legit - (s)he also gave me some interesting Toyota news, which I posted on the Toyota Owners Club

[Zee007]

Where did you get this information from Spyshot..........???  

Zee - I spoke to Spyshot and (s)he does seem legit - (s)he also gave me some interesting Toyota news, which I posted on the Toyota Owners Club

Fair enough Matt - thanks for that. I was just curious as to how "legit" the info was......... Cheers mate :)

[javaboss]

Ahhhhh!!!! I'm picking up my 4 speed IS200 on the 8th march!!!! Nobody at the dealership told me there would be a 5-speed in the near future!

I even said to the sales guy that it would be nice to have a 5-speed - he said nothing!

When will the 5-speed arrive????

[Nick]

You may get a limited edition car at some stage this year or next, although this is a possibility rather than a done deal. Engines and transmissions will not change until the next generation IS which is 2 to 3 years away. There will therefore be no diesel or 5 speed auto in the current car.

[JOHNNY-BOY]

You may get a limited edition car at some stage this year or next, although this is a possibility rather than a done deal. Engines and transmissions will not change until the next generation IS which is 2 to 3 years away. There will therefore be no diesel or 5 speed auto in the current car.

What will this limited edition car be then Nick?

Along the lines of the Sport Design available in the USA?

[Nick]

No announcement and as I say it is not a done deal, more a possibility. I personally would like to see the car that the USA gets. I really like the colour as much as anything. The Amarillo (Yellow) Sports with Body Styling (limited to one per dealer) is the only confirmed vehicle. I hope they do something like the Sport Edition as I guess anyone with a current car might be tempted to change for something a little different. I must stress though that "IF" it is decided to build one by Lexus GB, what and when are far from decided.

[JOHNNY-BOY]

Ok, thanks for that Nick.

I shall watch this space

[javaboss]

You may get a limited edition car at some stage this year or next, although this is a possibility rather than a done deal. Engines and transmissions will not change until the next generation IS which is 2 to 3 years away. There will therefore be no diesel or 5 speed auto in the current car.

Phew! At least my investment is safe. I thought my new car might depreciate like crazy as it was a 4-speed rather than a 'new' 5-speed automatic! :D