Lexus IS-F Convertible: BMW M3 Killer Lexus Should Build

True, IS-F sedans aren't exactly flying off of dealer lots; the company has sold 445 from January of this year through June 5. But it has been critically well received and buyers have shown a willingness to pay full price for them. What Lexus is most closely focused on, no doubt, is how direct competitor/inspiration BMW is doing with its M3 convertible.

And it turns out that BMW is doing very well indeed with the M3 convertible. Through May of this year, the convertible version of the M3 racked up 817 sales compared to the coupe's 854. The M3 sedan was a distant third with 530 sales. Three-quarters of M3 sales this year have gone to models other than the sedan — the only body style Lexus currently offers.

"Right now, there are no plans for that [IS-F Convertible]," said Toyota/Lexus PR spokesman Curt McAllister. "We're going to investigate how well the convertible does and make a determination from there."

Rumors of a coupe edition of the IS coming out in the near future have been floating around for awhile. And there's no reason to expect that any potential two-door model wouldn't get the F-treatment as well. Just as with the M3, we wouldn't expect that the convertible or coupe version would be mechanically different from the sedan. That means the high-tech, rip-snorting 5.0-liter V8 bolted to a trick eight-speed transmission, 19-inch wheels carrying Michelin Pilots and a 0-60-mph time in the high 4s. And yes, we anticipate it would carry the IS-F sedan's silly stacked tailpipes and the front-fender sideburns.

BMW charges $69,025 for an M3 convertible. Since Lexus priced the IS-F sedan right on top of the M3 sedan, we expect it to match the M3 convertible's price for the IS-F convertible.

For now though, IS 250 C and IS 350 Cs are available only with Lexus' F-Sport cosmetic enhancements to up their sport quotient.

Inside Line says: It would make for more than just an exciting car to drive. An IS-F convertible could actually make good business sense. — Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit