Lexus IS-F

Congratulations to the Lexus engineers roaring around the Nürburgring in this black prototype of what, at first glance, appears to be an IS-F Cabriolet. Lexus doesn't currently offer the sporty IS-F in drop-top format, so it appears case closed. Except that a closer look reveals an interior roll-cage and a few other items that don't quite jive with this being simply an IS-F with a folding hardtop.

2014 Lexus IS-F

For starters, the IS-F (and the entire IS range) is overdue an update, the performance-oriented sports sedan has been around since 2008. Lexus simply can't afford to wait, especially with recent updates coming to fierce rivals like the Audi S4 and BMW M3 sedan. Adding a convertible version to the IS-F at this stage of the game simply doesn't make much sense; though it's possible one might appear with the next-gen model.

2014 Lexus IS-F

Zooming In on the Details
Other than this car's interior roll-cage, which is about the last thing you'd install when testing a convertible, this prototype has a quad-exhaust system that seems very mismatched with the cutouts in the rear bumper. Then there is the (not so small) matter of that massive rear spoiler mounted on the trunk. While the IS-F has some bold styling features, nothing comes close to the magnitude of this tacky add-on.

2014 Lexus IS-F

Expect some substantial changes to the chassis and suspension system of the next IS-F, along with the rest of the IS lineup. It remains to be seen whether Lexus opts to stick with the 416-bhp 5.0-liter V-8 engine used in the current IS-F, or if a smaller and more fuel-efficient powertrain could work its way under the hood. We'd bet on the revised IS range, along with the next IS-F, to make an appearance at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show in early-January, with U.S. sales to follow later in the year.