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By Roger, April 17, 2012 2:29 pm

Related GalleryLexus IS mule

For a car that still hasn't donned its new body yet, not even under copious camouflage, there's been chatter about the 2014 Lexus IS for an awful long time. We saw the first mule 18 months ago, and it was about that time that intel predicted Lexus' next-generation small sport sedan would run on a four-door version of the Scion FT-86 chassis and be followed by a coupe.

The snappers at CarPix caught a modern mule out on test, the only change so far from 2010 being the panels obscuring the front intakes and a roll of packing tape applied to some panel gaps. The car we eventually see will continue the sportification of the Lexus brand in both appearance and capability. As well, the IS-F begat by this IS, having been planned for and developed from the beginning, should really show us what an M3-fighting Lexus can do.

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By Roger, October 13, 2011 3:39 pm

Related GalleryScion FR-S Race Car: Spy Shots

Remember how the Lexus LFA race car debuted long before we ever saw the final production car? Well, it appears that parent company Toyota is planning to pull a similar stunt with its FT-86 Scion FR-S coupe.

Here, we see a racier FR-S prototype being prepped for this weekend's German VLN race at the Nürburgring. Even with the revised wheels, front fascia, and Subaru STI-embarrassing wing out back, we can still get a good glimpse of what the production FR-S will look like when it debuts at the Tokyo Motor Show next month.

We'll have more details after this weekend's activities, and we're eagerly awaiting the official FR-S reveal in just a few weeks.

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By Roger, September 21, 2011 12:08 pm

Related GallerySpy Shots: Mystery Lexus LS caught lapping the 'Ring

We spy, with the lens of our spy guy, a rather unique Lexus LS that's taken to the track. Spotted lapping Germany's Nürburgring, this particular LS is wearing puffed-out fenders, a strongly styled decklid spoiler, what appears to be a faux nose hiding new bodywork, deep side skirts and a pair of vents on the hood. Something sporty is afoot, and we're itching to know more.

Toyota is clearly testing a super sporty version of its flagship luxury sedan. What's not clear, however, is what exactly is going on underneath the bodywork. We do know that this is work of the automaker, and not an aftermarket tuner testing some new performance parts out. The license tags on the car are from Cologne, and the car was spotted at the automaker's garage nearby.

Could we be staring at a Lexus LS F in disguise? The automaker has hinted in the past at such a car coming to market over the years, and this luxury sedan is certainly wearing some athletic upgrades. Funny, we thought for sure that a variant of the new GS was going to be next in line to get the F Sport treatment. Could this just be a one-off piece for the Tokyo Motor Show or Tokyo Auto Salon, or is it indicative of something more?

Final amusing note: The wheelman at the helm of this mystery "LS F' must be new to the 'Ring – that giant "L" on the rear window indicates he's a Learner.