Lexus IS-F CCS on show

Hot on the heels of the LFA supercar the company once defined by its oh-so refined yet oh-so restrained philosophy has snuck a stunning rendition of its IS-F sportscar into the Tokyo Auto Salon to stand alongside some of the wildest after-market makeovers in the world.

The Circuit Club Sports Concept — or CCS — is an in-house project from Lexus that concentrates on lifting the IS-F to a new level of visual graphics without changing the core mechanical package that already marked the V8 IS-F as a watershed in the Lexus philosophy.

"IS-F kicked off Lexus' entire sports and performance portfolio and we are looking forward to how the mindset behind it and LFA will shape our vehicles in the future," says Lexus Australia's new chief executive Tony Cramb.  "The IS-F CCS Concept is a great-looking vehicle and should Lexus ever consider such a vehicle for production, it would definitely be on our list."

It is surely no accident that the bright orange and carbon fibre treatment of the CCS almost mirrors what BMW did with its track-only M3 GTS which was unveiled in Germany late last year.  While the CCS is designated as a ‘reference vehicle’ the show car is only a few simple steps away from at least a limited production run.

It sits on exactly the same rear-wheel drive sports platform as the IS-F and boasts the same 311kW and 505Nm 5-litre V8 powerplant driving through an eight-speed transmission.  With a highlighted carbon fibre bonnet, roof, boot and rear wing along with much of the interior the CCS tips the scales around 25kg lighter than the donor car's 1715kg  not a lot in the world of racetrack trimming but importantly, the carbon fibre boot, bonnet and roof all work to lower the centre of gravity.

There is also a stiffer track-tuned suspension package, huge carbon ceramic brakes, lightweight 19-inch forged magnesium wheels, a mechanical limited slip differential and a titanium sports exhaust system.  Lexus proudly points out that the CCS draws heavily on processes pioneered in the development of the LFA supercar, although the company doesn't specify just what has trickled down to the track baby.

Cramb says the IS-F CCS is an exciting but logical extension of the marque's inclusion of sports philosophy in the more mainstream models.  "I've joined Lexus at a time when it is gearing up for some of the most exciting product in the brand's history — headlined by the LFA supercar," Cramb says.

"Lexus' commitment to performance inspired product is already evident in vehicles such as the IS250 F Sport and the LS460 Sports. Looking ahead, performance and hybrid vehicles offer a real opportunity for Lexus in Australia."  The first half of 2010 is expected to be a quiet time for Lexus with only minor product upgrading, including the refresh of the LX570 this month and a facelift for the luxury long-wheelbase LS 600hL hybrid in March.

Lexus will have to wait until 2011 before the next round of halo cars arrive, the LFA and the Prius-based hatchback based on the LF-Ch Frankfurt concept.