Damon Lavrinc
Sedans/Saloons, Lexus

Lexus has received its fair share of flack for the styling of the new IS-F sports sedan. The gaping gills and misshapen snout – the most radical exterior elements – have done little to distinguish itself from its lesser brethren, and the interior is largely unchanged, save a few badges and trim pieces.

Lexus execs have recognized that more has to be done to separate the performance brand from the run-of-the-mill models, but even so, they maintain that the IS-F will serve as the design template from which other F-badged offerings will be based.

Toyota Motor Corp.'s design chief, Wahei Hirai, admitted that Lexus' aim of competing with the AMGs and Ms of the world would take a different tact than its Germanic rivals. Hirai is quoted by Wards as saying that "They appreciate consistency, or continuity, very much. We like to make (our vehicles) a different way." Difference for difference sake is rarely a good thing, and the IS-F may have already proven that fact.

[Source: Wards]

Gallery: Lexus IS-F

Source: Lexus IS-F design to influence F-lineup, even though it ain't pretty

Up until now, BMW offered the M-Sport Pack exclusively on the 135i Coupe (see video here). Now the Bavarian carmaker is expanding the “M” pack on the 120d and 123d Coupe models. The M-Sports Package enhances the 1-Series Coupe by including 17-inch light alloy wheels in 205/50 rubber up front and 225/45 in the rear, sports suspension for higher traction and reduced body roll, an aerodynamic package with redesigned bumpers, sports seats, high-gloss shadowline exterior trim, M leather steering wheel, gearbox lever and handbrake, M designation door sills and anthracite headlining. -One more pic after the jump



Source: BMW Offers M-Sports Pack On All 1-Series Coupe Models

We’re used to seeing reports about BMW’s strong sales success and numerous model launches, so it’s a bit of surprise to hear the carmaker’s profit levels for the third quarter came in much lower than expected. BMW has since seen its share price fall more than 4% because of the poor result, which is being blamed on a strong euro, higher raw material costs and a significantly higher loss on its ‘reconciliations’ line.

BMW’s pre-tax figure of €765 million (US $1.1 billion) was well short of the expected €913 million from a Reuters poll of 20 analysts. Automotive News reports that brokerage firm Equinet believed the €135 million loss made by the reconciliations was over €100 million worse than estimated by the poll.

A statement issued by the company said, “segment earnings were adversely affected by exchange rate fluctuations, higher raw material prices, market launch and production start-up costs for new models and higher research and development costs.”

This is the second major drop in BMW’s share price in recent times. In September the share price fell 8% following the release of an official strategy document, which was deemed unambitious by investors.

Source: BMW profits worse than expected