Sydney show: IS-F here in a year

LEXUS has given indicated price and launch details for its new M3-chasing rocketship, the IS-F sedan.

John Roca, head of Lexus Australia, says that the new hi-po IS-F is due to arrive in November next year, "with M3 pricing" (the M3 sells for $157,000).

Roca says that Lexus dealers are holding 35 orders for the 300kW-plus V8 sedan, but will be restricted by supply.

“We could sell a lot more than we can supply,” he said.

Mr Roca also said that the IS350 is not a likely prospect for Australia, but that he “will continue to push for that model”.

Meanwhile, the LS600hL, touted as the world’s first V8 hybrid, will arrive in Australia in November with price around the $250,000 mark.

The fully automatic Park Assist system is standard. Lexus dealers are holding 67 orders and there is a six-month waiting list.

Finally, Lexus' answer to Range Rover, the LX570, is due here by early 2008. There is no word on price as yet, the Lexus boss only saying it will cost more than the current LX470 ($123,000).

The LX570, with a 270kW V8 mated to a six-speed sequential-shift auto, has a new crawl control feature and adaptive suspension - like the 200 Series LandCruise on which it is based.

“We’re very keen to get it out to the market. It’s been 10 years, a very long time between drinks for us,” said the Lexus chief.

“We probably won’t get enough cars, the pre-order bank is way past the 100 mark”.

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