DEBUT: MotorworldHype IS-F GT

After Months of Hard Work and getting many of our friends to develop custom parts which, for the most part, be available for any ISF owner – the team is proud to take the wraps off our first official MWH project car. Built for LEXUS and to debut at the 2008 SEMA – here is our IS-F Grand Tourer Concept. Enjoy

Project Brief:

     The goal behind the MotorworldHype Lexus ISF-GT concept was to evolve the already potent performance potential of the Lexus IS-F to make it an even more track ready street machine. Our goal was to prepare a concept that would still be easily drivable on a day-to-day basis yet more potent and more apt for track day excursions at racecourses like Fuji Speedway, Laguna Seca, or the Nurburgring.

            The ISF-GT concept is designed for the individual who not only enjoys his performance car on the streets and byways of the city but also on the paved racecourses of tracks around the globe. This concept is meant for the everyday motoring enthusiast and track affectionado.

            The IS-F is a visually stunning piece of automotive art with a more than ample amount of performance to back up its looks.  However our team feels felt that we could push the aesthetics and certain performance aspects of the IS-F to make it more unique. Many aspirational automotive brands have special editions for their flag ship models: Ferrari has the F430 Scuderia, Porsche has the GT3 RS, and Mercedes the CLK63 Black Series.  All of the aforementioned cars were built for the discriminating enthusiast who wanted a rare limited edition version of the best they could get. The IS-F GT concept was designed with same philosophy.

            To accomplish our goals Ventross (a division of Vorsteiner) developed vacuum bagged dry carbon fiber components that increased aerodynamic efficiency with the addition of a front splitter, rear diffuser cap, and boot-lid aero trunk. To further improve handling on and off the track a full suspension package was developed by Tein to achieve a slightly stiffer chassis and also to allow for driver adjustments that would enable him to tune the ride. This combination allowed for greater set-up adjustability for those track-attacking sessions. We also worked to reduce rotational mass with a lighter wheel package using 19 inch Volk Racing TE 37s and looked to improve grip by widening the track with wider wheels (19×8.5 Front and 19×9.5) and Pilot Sport 2 Tires (235/35 Fronts and 265/30 Rears). We also bumped performance a bit with addition of a more efficient exhaust system produced by Borla and a more free flowing aluminum air intake chamber and with a larger diameter stainless inlet tube by Gallery. We looked to improve braking performance with a more aggressive Brembo 6 piston front caliper and larger floating rotor set up (380mm) with stainless steel brake lines. We feel that with these upgrades and modifications we have created a car that is still civil for the streets yet a tad bit more focused to hit the track.

            We also wanted the IS-F GT package to be more uniquely styled. We strove to give it a more sinister feel by painting the roof and window sills gloss black along with the emblems. The upper and lower front grills along with the quad exhaust tips were done in Matte black to complement the Matte black TE 37 wheels. To  give our concept some ISF character we had the Brembo calipers custom painted ISF ultrasonic blue mica and had the front and rear seats redone with blue suede alcantara. This actually helps prevent the driver and passengers from sliding around during spirited drives as the alcantara has a less slippery surface than the factory leather.

            We also strived to create a concept that would be easy to duplicate so any IS-F owner could take his Lexus and create our GT package with ease. We looked to build a vehicle with high quality goods that we would feature and highlight on our website MotorworldHype.com. It was our intention to show current and future IS-F owners that there is an easy to attain evolutionary package for their already potent IS-F that would make it even more of a track attacker. We hope to have showcased a concept that can easily be re-created that gives those owners who are more apt to take days off to hit the track in something that is more uniquely styled, a bit sportier and faster, and more rewarding to drive on those trips through the canyons along with places like Laguna Seca or whatever local “racecourse” is close to home.

            Project IS-F GT is a concept meant for that motoring enthusiast.  Inspired by the Team Lexus GT2 IS race-car, Project IS-F GT is meant to be more performance driven yet still be very streetable and of course easy to build. Our team looked to compliment what the IS-F is with subtle yet functional modifications that will instantly speak to the hearts of any performance enthusiast. 

Project Car:                       MotorworldHype IS-F GT

Base Vehicle:                     Lexus IS-F

Project Directors:             The Team at MotorworldHype.com

                                          Andrew Beckford

                                          RJ de Vera

Project Builder:                Street Concepts

Exterior Aesthetics

Wheels:                        Volk Racing TE 37 in Matte Black

                                    Front: 19×8.5 +37

                                    Rear: 19×9.5 +35

Tires:                           Michelin Pilot Sport 2s

                                    Front: 235/35 – 19

                                    Rear: 265/30 – 19

Exterior:                      Ventross Dry Carbon Aero package

                                   Ventross Front Chin Splitter

                                   Ventross Rear Diffuser Cap

                                   Ventross boot-lid aero trunk

Paint:                           Lexus Starfire White

Misc:                            Gloss Black Emblems

                                    Gloss Black Window Sills and Roof

                                    Matte Black Upper and lower front grill

                                    Matte Black Tips

Interior Aesthetics

Seats:                          Blue Suede Alcantara Front and Rear Seats

Performance

Engine:                        Lexus 5L V8

                                    Gallery Aluminum Air Intake Chamber

                                    Gallery Stainless Intake Pipe

                                    Gallery engine dress up kit

                                    Gold anodized washers

                                    Polished stainless allen bolts

Exhaust:                       High Performance Exhaust System by Borla

Brakes:                         Brembo GT Big Brake Kit

                                    Brembo 6 piston front calipers

                                    Calipers custom painted to ISF blue mica

                                    Brembo 380mm Floating Front Calipers

                                    Stainless Steel Brake Lines

Suspension:                 Tein Full Coilover Suspension System

A million thanks to all of our partners who supported our first official project vehicle!

   

   

   

   

%d bloggers like this: