Lexus IS350 GT2 Nears Completion

[scionlife]

The race car is nearing completion, will we get a consumer version of the same car? We can only hope!



Quote: TORRANCE, Calif., – Since Lexus' announcement in December that Team Lexus will field two IS 350s in the 2006 American Le Mans Series' GT2 class, the team has been hard at work preparing the cars for their first racing season. The new cars will challenge GT2-class stalwarts Porsche and Panoz while taking on new entries from Ferrari and BMW.

"Although we'd love to be racing this weekend in Houston, building a new, competitive, GT2 car from the ground up is a complex undertaking," said Team Lexus owner Chuck Goldsborough. "Our team has been working very hard to design and build the new cars, with inevitable challenges along the way. Once complete, the task of development then starts and must ramp up very quickly."

The level of GT2 American Le Mans Series competition underscores the challenges inherent in building a sedan to compete on even terms. Top GT2 competitors include the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Ferrari F430GT, Panoz Esperante GTLM and BMW M3—all formidable cars.

With its production-based V6 providing more than 450 hp to propel a race car weighing less than 2,800 lbs., the new IS 350 GT2 promises to be plenty quick. The car also will retain its double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, suitably modified for the task and tuned to work with the large BBS-mounted Michelin racing slicks. StopTech will provide an upgraded brake package.

The team expects to begin testing in the next few weeks with the goal of a race debut in July. But the final decision on race timing will be based on test and development program results. "With the majority of the American Le Mans Series schedule taking place after July 1, it simply makes sense to be patient and develop the car properly," said Philip Gaviola, Lexus motorsports manager. "And with the caliber of competition in the GT2 class, it's going to be a steep learning curve regardless of when the IS 350 makes its debut."

[trdtcpr]

:love: :love: damn if only I could get a test drive!!!

[scionlife]

That WOULD be nice!

[bBlover]

Any more pics? That looks hawt!

[taek]

orgasmic

i wanna replicate that now :P

[toastbox]

Meh...racing versions don't interest me. In fact, since the 350 isn't even available with a manny tranny, the IS doesn't interest me PERIOD. Way to go lexus, replacing the venerable, yet well built, 300 with a couple of overpriced turds called the 350 and 250

[THansenite]

I think that is one of the widest wide-body setups I have ever seen. Hot car though.

[Killa]

I start working at Lexus Monday... maybe I'll build myself one of them :ponder:
It'll have to be blue or white though...

[bboyizzy]

I WANT IT bad ill give up my tc

[Psyco565]

now if they had the back end as wide as the front and the car AWD then I would sign my life away for it. btw It's sooooo my color :love:

[rvpps2rocks]

why dont they make the widebody like that.


flameage for reviving a dead thread :come: