Lexus V8-Powered IS 430 Project to Make TV Debut
Muscle Car Also to Appear at Chicago Auto Show
TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 30 -- Lexus' recently completed IS 430 project car makes its television debut on TLC's "Rides" series this Tuesday, February 3 at 9:00 p.m. EST/PST. The latest project car from Lexus will also make an appearance at the 2004 Chicago Auto Show February 6-15. Lexus commissioned Rod Millen Special Vehicles (RMSV) to build the car, which is a one-off example of its IS 300 luxury sport sedan powered by a 4.3-liter V8 engine from a Lexus GS 430.
"We wanted to explore the performance possibilities of the IS 300," said Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Denny Clements. "The marriage of our 4.3-liter V8 with the sporty IS 300 creates a classic muscle car."
The potent V8 engine was paired with a Getrag 6-speed manual transmission and lightweight flywheel, which drive the rear wheels through a stronger limited slip differential and GS 430 driveline components.
Total Performance Approach
The concept direction from Lexus required that the IS 430's handling be matched to the high-powered V8 while maintaining reasonable ride comfort and noise levels. TEIN springs and 16-way electronically adjustable shock absorbers work with the original IS 300 front suspension in addition to selected GS 430 rear suspension components, which help ensure durability against the higher torque of the 4.3-liter V8. Large, sticky Michelin Sport Cup tires on 18-inch Speed Star SSR alloy wheels put the power to the ground.
A similar approach was taken with the cooling system and brakes. A GS 430 radiator was fitted to provide ample cooling for the high-output engine. Large Brembo brakes with vented, cross-drilled rotors and four-piston aluminum calipers are there to arrest the newfound acceleration and speed of the IS 430.
"The standard IS 300 is a robust and well balanced sport sedan, so we thought it would respond well to the additional power of the Lexus V8 engine," said Rod Millen, president of RSMV. "With a package of complementary modifications, it has exceeded our expectations."
Although not a simple conversion, the V8 and 6-speed fit well within the compact IS 300 body structure. Curb weight is slightly higher than the standard IS, some of which is due to larger/stronger components needed to deal with the increased performance and some from the new audio/video system.
"Fitting the 4.3-liter V8 and six-speed manual transmission to the IS 300 was fairly straightforward," said Millen. "The larger challenge was to develop an electronic interface that would allow the V8 engine to work with the manual transmission and IS 300 body -- something it was never designed to do."
RMSV's engineering team met the challenge with expertise developed through years of successful racing and building special vehicles for military and automotive clients. They focused on designing the electronics interface while simultaneously working through the mechanical conversion and enhancements. Numerous parts were specifically fabricated for the IS 430 including stainless steel exhaust headers and dual exhaust system, transmission adaptor, engine and transmission mounts, air intake system, wire harnesses and fluid connectors.
"Next Generation" Entertainment System
Pushing the IS 300 performance envelope was not limited to vehicle dynamics. Lexus also wanted to discover the potential of what might be termed a "next generation" in-vehicle entertainment system. Lexus naturally turned to its premium audio systems partner, Mark Levinson(R), whose system engineers were eager to gain experience with their advanced system development work and receive feedback from users in the field.
The goals for the experimental system were the introduction of a discrete multi-channel 7.1 surround sound experience suitable for automotive use, complete system integration of audio and video, and advancement of sonic performance beyond previous OEM premium systems.
The result of their vision is a 20-speaker/24-channel, 720-watt* audio/video system using a proprietary DVD video player and removable 6.5-inch wide-screen video display. This prototype Mark Levinson(R) system is well suited to the expanded performance of the IS 430.
Functional Aggression
To complete the package, Chip Foose from Foose Design was employed to give the IS 430 a more aggressive yet functional appearance. Foose used subtle upgrades including Rhys Millen Racing front and rear lip spoilers and side skirts with a black over red exterior color scheme that emphasizes the wedge profile of the tightly drawn IS body. A mesh grille and gray headlamp treatment is used up front, and the taillights and rear badging are modified for a simpler look at the rear. A dual exhaust system with twin tailpipes improves performance and helps advertise the potent 4.3-liter V8 engine.
Key Features and Specifications
IS 430 IS 300
Engine: 4.3-liter DOHC V8, 3.0-liter DOHC I6,
normally aspirated normally aspirated
Horsepower: 340 (estimated) 215
Torque: 300+ 218
Exhaust System: Custom-fabricated tubular Tubular stainless steel
stainless steel headers; headers; dual catalysts;
dual hi-flow catalysts single outlet
and dual low restriction
mufflers
Transmission: Getrag 6-speed manual 5-speed manual
Driveline: GS 430 Standard IS 300
Differential: 3.769:1 limited slip 3.727:1 limited slip
Suspension: Double wishbone with Double wishbone
adjustable-height
16-way electronically
adjustable shock
absorbers
Brakes: Brembo ventilated and Vented front, solid rear
cross-drilled 355x32 mm discs: twin-piston front,
front, 345x28 rear rotors; single-piston rear
Brembo 4-piston aluminum calipers
calipers
Wheels: Speed Star SSR 5-spoke 17x7 inch 5-spoke aluminum
aluminum - 18x8 inch front,
18x9 inch rear
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup - 215/45 R17 front and rear
225/40 ZR18 front,
265/35 ZR18 rear
Curb Weight: 3,350 lbs. (estimated) 3,255 lbs.
Body
Components: Rhys Millen Racing front Optional rear spoiler
and rear lip spoilers
and side skirts
Paint &
Bodywork: Foose Design/Chris Absolutely Red
Guinn - solid black over
red with silver dividing
pin stripe
Audio System: Mark Levinson(R) discrete Lexus Premium 4-channel
multi-channel with with eight speakers;
20 speakers and DVD video six-CD changer
system; 720 watts*,
all channels driven;
six-disc CD changer
*All channels driven, 20-20kHz, with no more than .01% Total Harmonic
Distortion.
The Lexus IS 430 is a one-off vehicle built to study of the considerable performance potential of the IS 300 luxury sport sedan. There are no plans for a production version.