Lexus' sporting trio

By Sam Hardy

17th January 2011

THE wick is being turned up at Lexus. And here are the cars to prove it. Toyota's luxury arm revealed a host of modified cars at the Tokyo Auto Salon – each one designed to show off the best that Japanese sporting departments can deliver.

Two new versions of the 5.0-litre V8-engined IS F were on show: the CCS-R (Circuit Club Sport Racer) and Club Performance Accessory.

The latter is the work of TRD (Toyota Racing Department) and, with its orange paint scheme certainly stands out. In addition it gets vast spoilers front and rear, a  diffuser and a carbon fibre bonnet. Again, more carbon fibre material is used in the cabin, along with sports seats finished in bright orange. Sports suspension and brakes, a titanium exhaust, magnesium wheels and a mechanical LSD complete the package.

The blue CCS-R is a lightweight track-focused saloon, featuring carbon fibre body panels, including front and rear spoilers, bonnet and boot lid, as well as a roll cage and polycarbonate windows. Inside there’s carbon fibre for the dashboard, centre console and door trims, while the racing details extend to a six-point safety harness and a small steering wheel with paddle shifters.

Track-tuned components under the skin include uprated suspension, brakes and exhaust system, plus a mechanical limited-slip differential and forged alloys shod with slick tyres.

Lexus' latest BMW 1-Series-rivalling hybrid, the CT 200h, received similar treatment with an array of sporting accessories including alloy wheels, a body kit by Modellista and Recaro sports seats.

Also on display were Gazoo Racing's Lexus LFA supercar, which competed at last year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours race, while there was also a TOM's modified LS 460.