Now Lexus Joins The CC Fold

Watch out BMW - Lexus is getting roofless. The German firm might have thought its forthcoming 3-Series CC was going to have a monopoly in the folding hard-top compact executive market, but there's another new model on the way.

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By Chris Thorp

17th May 2005

Pictures in this week's mag give the world its first glimpse of Lexus's new IS CC. Currently under top-secret development in Japan, the four-seater will also take on canvas-roofed rivals in the shape of Audi's A4 Cabrio and the Mercedes CLK.

Losing none of the saloon's style, the IS should offer exceptional refinement. The super-slim roof panels will help to maximise space inside, and leave a large luggage area when folded.

Sharing its mechanical parts with the saloon, the IS CC will come with a full range of engines. These will include a 2.5-litre V6 petrol and an all-new 175bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel powerplant. While the petrol unit will be available with a six-speed automatic gearbox with sequential paddleshifters, the majority of IS variants are likely to have a manual transmission.

The standard saloon version of the IS was unveiled for the first time at March's Geneva Motor Show. With a sharp look and hi-tech underpinnings, it will pick up where its predecessor left off when it goes on sale late this year.

Breaking new ground for the firm, the folding hard-top version is unlikely to appear on price lists before 2007. Official details are being kept under wraps, but expect to see the new convertible in concept form at one of next year's major European motor shows.