The latest Lexus IS has some bold styling features, but for this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas, the Japanese manufacturer offered a design challenge through deviantART - an online social community for artists - to create new versions using their own ideas. After hundreds of submitted designs the best were transformed into reality for the show that runs from 5 to 8 November.
Paul Tolson and Gabriel Escobedo's design creates the widest and lowest Lexus IS ever seen. Based on a 250 F Sport, the car has the lowest of ride heights thanks to an Air Runner System that allows the car's ride height to be adjusted from inside. And if that didn't create enough of a visual impact, the car is painted in aptly named Orange Mercury and Root Beer colours.
Another car, an IS 340 created by Philip Chase, has been fitted with a powerful six-cylinder turbocharged engine originally from a Toyota Supra, which has been tuned to 700hp. Helping that engine breathe is a custom-made four-inch exhaust, while the front-end is styled with carbon fibre bonnet vents and a front lip kit by Modellista.
Using an IS 350 F Sport, Seibon Carbon makes extensive use of lightweight carbon fibre materials across the bonnet, side skirts, boot lid and spoilers. Adding to the design, 20-inch Volk Racing alloy wheels fill the arches while performance improvements come in the form of A'PEXi SPL suspension along with a custom intake and exhaust.
Anything else?
It isn't just the latest Lexus IS that has been given a makeover. The previous generation, which has long been popular with the modding community, is also represented, with two new interpretations. Maricar Cortez created a supercharged version of the 2004 IS 300, while enthusiast Andrew Atigehchi displayed his 2007 IS 250, which is fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels as well as a performance exhaust, suspension and braking systems.