TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexus is taking its
performance message to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
Show for its second official appearance this fall with a bevy of new
project cars and multiple ways to sample its IS F high-performance sedan
and F-Sport products. Headlining the project cars will be a fresh take on
the Lexus GS 460 by Five Axis.

    "The introduction of the IS F last year was our first opportunity to
stimulate major interest from the performance community," said Brian
Bolain, Lexus national engagement marketing manager. "We followed up with
the F-Sport line of performance accessories for the IS 250/350 and judging
by the market's overall response, there was clearly some pent-up demand."

    A good barometer of that response lives in the array of project cars
that will be on display in the Lexus space which, like last year, is
situated next to the Motor Trend proving ground between the Central and
South halls.

    Projects On Display

    Riding a wave of momentum from its Project IS F car introduced at SEMA
last year, Five Axis has turned its attention to the Lexus GS 460. Project
GS will debut inside the Lexus SEMA booth on Tuesday, November 4 and
designer Troy Sumitomo will be on hand to talk about his latest creation.

    Project IS F also returns to SEMA with a newly (and heavily) modified
V8 engine filling its engine bay. Now bored and stroked to 5.75 liters, the
car was a major hit at SEMA last year and has been bulking up on horsepower
and torque ever since.

    Four unique IS F project cars created by these independent builders
will be on display at the Lexus space:


    -- Fox Marketing/Artisan Performance
    -- Import Tuner Magazine/TEIN Suspension
    -- 0-60 Magazine
    -- MotorworldHype

    Each team is taking their own performance and design approach, with
some focused on increased track performance and others making sure their
rides are even more fun on the street, as well as the track.

    Lexus will also display a special LX 570 created by ICON 4x4 Design.
This concept brings a stealthy and functional look to the LX ("anti-bling"
says ICON's Jonathan Ward) augmented by several performance upgrades.

    More Inside

    Step into the air-conditioned Lexus booth next to the proving ground
and you will find several displays including:


    -- IS 350 equipped with F-Sport accessories and concept body kit
    -- F-Sport accessories on display with information
    -- 2009 IS F with the latest factory updates including a new interior
       color and other detail changes
    In the Driver's Seat

    A small test track (Motor Trend Proving Ground) adjacent to the Lexus
booth gives attendees the chance to drive the potent IS F as well as an
F-Sport-equipped IS 350. The track will be open to Lexus cars during normal
show hours beginning Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 9:00 a.m. until the track closes
Thursday at 5:00 p.m.

    Next to the booth, Lexus will strap an IS F to a chassis dyno for full
throttle runs through a simulated 1/4 mile. Power shifting the 8-speed
Sport Direct Shift transmission is encouraged. The dyno will run from noon
Tuesday until 3:00 p.m. Friday.

    Also not to be missed are the IS F video racing simulators where
drivers can pit themselves against one another on Laguna Seca's iconic
Corkscrew for prizes and bragging rights. Helmets are optional.

Link to this page: