Styling Program for Lexus LS460 by WALD

Japanese tuners Wald are now taking orders for their new kit for the 2010 Lexus LS460 facelift. The car with the styling mods debuted in January at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2010.

Engineers designed a sportier package for the facelifted model than their previous kit. It includes a blacked-out grille ringed in chrome, an aggressive front bumper, and new sidesills. A new diffuser surrounds the dual tailpipes, like the previous Wald kit, but this package has a more squared-off bumper.

The company does not plan to stop here. An e-mail sent to us from the tuner says they are working on a package capable of fitting the LS Hybrid.

Delivery of the Wald Lexus LS460 package will begin in mid-March. The package is also available through select Lexus Japan dealers.

Lexus LS460 by Lorinser

Tuners at the German firm Lorinser are best known for their work on the Mercedes-Benz lineup. The company has pretty much hit every modern Mercedes, from A to SLK, including the Viano. Two years ago, they ventured a little further out, giving a nice bit of work to the Smart Cars.

Now the company has set their sites on their first ever Asian adaptation. Meet the Lorinser Lexus LS 460, with a new aerokit meant to give the big, five-meter long car "elegant bodywark that exudes confidence."

Engineers first subtly attacked the front fascia with a new spoiler that incorporates new, round foglights. The front bumper also appears to be a bit more squared off, giving the car a more stately appearance. Side sill changes are substantial, but not aggressive, and warn onlookers that the car has some power under its hood.

Modifications at the back are a bit more noticeable, although Lorinser kept the 460's rear light cluster intact. A rear wing has been added on to the boot, and a new apron has been installed. These show more sporty characteristics, as the apron incorporates an air inlet, race-inspired grill, and quad-tipped dual exhaust. The package is rounded off with custom made light-alloys.

Despite making all of these changes, the Lorinser Lexus LS 460 has a relatively unchanged 0-100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds. Power comes from a 4.6-liter V8 engine that produces 381 horsepower. Although not yet on their website, the Lorinser LS 460 should be available from the company in no time.

Ventross IS-F Sedan by Vorsteiner

California based tuner, Vorsteiner, is broadening its' horizons with a new venture into Japanese brands. Not to alienate its current German car clientele which focuses on Porsche, Mercedes and BMW, Vorsteiner has created a new brand named Ventross to house all of its future endeavors in high performance vehicles from Japanese brands. And already, the Ventross name takes on the Lexus IS-F.

The offerings are lean but it's a good start by offering in dry carbon fiber a front lower bumper spoiler and luggage lid with integrated spoiler which is 50% lighter than the standard lid assembly. An add-on carbon fiber rear diffuser complements the luggage lid while cleanly accommodating the stacked quad exhaust tips. Lastly, a 3-Piece forged aluminum wheel set will also be available in 19 & 20 inch sizes (not shown).

In 2009 Ventross plans to build a full carbon fiber aerodynamic & light forged wheel package for the Nissan GTR.

Lexus IS-F by Wald

The Lexus IS F was recently launched in Europe and the States following the successful introduction to its native Japan last year where it is going head to head with the likes of the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG. Despite a pretty formidable package under the hood where you will find the 417bhp 5.0-litre V8 engine mated to an eight-speed paddleshift transmission, the exterior styling does not show the aggression to match.

This is where renowned Japanese tuner Wald International comes in with this new tuning program for the high performance machine. The most notable feature on these newly surfaced photos is the addition of a new huge rear diffuser which optimizes air flow under the car, other features on the rear include additional air vents on the sides of the apron and a new rear wing. The front fascia gets small modifications with the a new front spoiler lowering the ride height and additional air-intakes on the sides.

Team Lexus IS-F to Enter GT2 Le Mans Series

This Friday at the Tokyo Auto Salon Lexus will pull the covers off their latest IS race car. The IS 350 GT2 is powered by a 470+ hp V6 engine and will compete in the American GT2 LeMans Series and not in the German DTM series as many had hoped here in Europe.

The Lexus IS 350 GT2 will make its first appearance at the Twelve Hours of Sebring in Sebring, Fl this March 15-18. Competition will be stiff with the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Panoz Esperante, Ferrari F430 GT, Dodge Viper Competition Coupe and BMW M3.

“Developing and racing two brand-new cars in a new category will be a major challenge, but one that we relish,” said Team Lexus owner/driver Chuck Goldsborough back in 2005. Originally Lexus was planning on entering the GT2 ALMS class back in 2006.