[Motor]

Update!

Next-Generation Lexus IS Photochops from Japan

Our source for Japanese magazine rumors, has come through again with these Best Car renderings of four possible next-generation IS variants.

With the exception of the IS wagon (which is just hideous), these photochops have some mixture of good and bad elements, with the bad mostly winning out — every single rendering has an awkward C-pillar and an oddly exaggerated front face. That said, I do think the new spindle grille will fit the IS range well, and I look forward to seeing something a little closer to the real thing than these mockups.

Even the included spec sheet has its share of ugly.

.

Take it with a grain of salt.

 

[GSBoek]

I won't even take it to begin with. It will never ever look even remotely close to that.

 

[Dimaoala]

My eyes hurt.

 

[Motor]

Update!

Next Generation Lexus IS

The next Lexus IS has been spotted testing ahead of its debut early next year

Our spies have spotted the next generation Lexus IS testing. The new BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class rival has been seen with a modified version of the current car’s body. This version has been in showrooms since 2005, so is substantially older then its competitors.

Lexus has confirmed that the next IS will look more like a shrunken version of the new GS, which goes on sale in June. Styling wise, that means the new IS will wear the new corporate grille that’s appeared across the entire Lexus range, and will have more angular styling to match.

Optional F Sport packages will also continue to be available, while it’s also likely that the next IS will have adaptive suspension, like its GS stablemate and German rivals, as well as the Dynamic Handling System that includes rear-wheel steering.

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[Motor]

Update!

New 2014 Lexus IS Rumors from Australia

The Age in Australia has some new rumours regarding the next-generation Lexus IS:

Due to be unveiled next year, the third-generation IS compact sedan is likely to follow in the footsteps of its bigger sibling, the GS, by delivering a richer, more upmarket look in the cabin and improved road manners.

Unlike its German rivals, the IS’s exterior will be more than just a shrunken version of its bigger brother, according to a Lexus insider. Distinguishing features over its ageing predecessor include a wider, more aggressive stance, a sleeker profile and the most radical iteration of the company’s new spindle grille to date, as our artist’s rendering shows.

The corporate marketing manager at Lexus Australia, Peter Evans, recently told Drive the Japanese luxury brand couldn’t afford a gentle evolution of its popular IS midsize sedan.

“When you’re a challenger brand and you’re No.4 [in sales], you can’t afford to be evolutionary.”

Also included is some drivetrain details, with specific mention of a four-cylinder, V6, and hybrid option. A next-gen IS F is also expected.

There is one rather large nugget of speculation worth highlighting:

Media speculation says the Japanese luxury brand’s smallest sedan could be based on a modified version of Toyota’s 86 sports car – not the GS – allowing Toyota to spread the development costs between the two models. This may also pave the way for a sporty coupe body variant, alongside a coupe-cabriolet and possibly even a sleek wagon or four-door coupe.

I suppose anything’s possible, but modifying the 86 platform to accommodate a luxury sedan would likely negate any “development costs” savings — more likely, the IS will continue to be based on the GS.

Please note — the above image is a rendering created by The Age, and is not the next-generation IS.

 

[Motor]

Update!

2014 Lexus IS Previewed in Video

Finally, the clip gives us a look at what appears to be the next-generation IS, which will come to market as a 2014 model. There’s nothing truly shocking here; it will adopt the same basic styling as its bigger brother, the GS. The spindle grille will be part of the deal, along with a more aggressive lower-fascia design. The new IS will make its debut sometime next year.

 

[Motor]

Update!

Spy Photos: 2014 Lexus IS

Just the Facts:
-2014 Lexus IS F convertible is caught testing on the Nürburgring.
-GS-derived rear suspension is capable of offering rear steering.
-Aluminum lower control arms replace stamped steel currently in use.

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[x310gtsx]

Update!
Spy Photos: 2014 Lexus IS

... :ugh:

 

[ajh1717]

Spy Photos: 2014 Lexus IS

Take off the wing and it is gorgeous - especially for a hardtop convertible.

 

[Motor]

It's a test mule. The production 2014 IS will NOT look like that.

 

[x310gtsx]

It's a test mule. The production 2014 IS will NOT look like that.

for sure... those, what look to be zip ties on the exhaust hangers were tripping me out for a sec... and the wing doesn't help. :chuckles:

 

[ajh1717]

It's a test mule. The production 2014 IS will NOT look like that.

It probably won't be too far from that though :shrugs:

 

[GSBoek]

Whatever they do, I hope they cleanup the trunk cut line and the shape of the roof that the current IS350C has. Lexus has not yet mastered the art of designing a slick looking retractable hardtop car. Hopefully the LF-LC changes that.

 

[x310gtsx]

Whatever they do, I hope they cleanup the trunk cut line and the shape of the roof that the current IS350C has. Lexus has not yet mastered the art of designing a slick looking retractable hardtop car. Hopefully the LF-LC changes that.

couldn't agree more. :wiggle:

 

[Motor]

Update!

Spied! Can You Identify This Mystery Sedan?

One staffer said the wheels look “Lexus-y.” We can scratch the 2013 Lexus LS 460, GS, and ES since all three have been unveiled. Could it be the IS? Another staffer said the LED taillights could be from Audi, but others insist it’s a Toyota or Honda, as both companies’ North American headquarters aren’t far from where this sedan was caught. However, this tester also sports a Michigan plate.

 

[Motor]

Update!

Imagining the Next-Generation Lexus IS Coupe

Just hours before the Lexus LF-CC coupe concept debuts at the Paris Motor Show, let’s take a look at what the concept could mean for the next-generation IS — here’s some photochops from Club Lexus member SNiiP3R.

By merging the LF-CC concept with the GS front-end, these images are a decent attempt to imagine the next-gen IS.

There’s sure to be more visual differences between the GS & IS — I’m expecting the IS to have a much larger lower grille, and it’s doubtful that the side mirrors and rear wheel intakes will make it to production — but squint your eyes, and these photochopped IS coupes appear quite realistic.

:thumbup:

 

[jdmravi]

Thats how it should look

 

[Motor]

Update!

2014 Lexus IS To Debut At Detroit, Coupe A 'Maybe'

Lexus will showcase the all-new replacement for its mid-sized IS sedan at January's Detroit Auto Show.

Speaking with TMR in Sydney, Lexus Australia chief Tony Cramb hinted strongly that the new IS sedan, a strong-seller for Lexus in the United States, will make its debut at the biggest event on the North American motor show calendar.

A local launch would likely follow in the the fourth quarter of 2013.

Powertrain details for the next-gen IS are still hazy, but if the GS is anything to go by, expect evolved examples of the current range of 2.5 litre and 3.5 litre V6 petrol engines.

However, with the current IS being only one of two Lexus models not available with a hybrid powertrain (the mammoth LX 570 is the other), a hybrid is also possible.

There are a few options available for an IS Hybrid, but the only ready-to-go RWD hybrid powerplant is the 3.5 litre V6/electric-motor combo used by the GS 450h.

Another possibility is a development of the Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder used by the LF-CC concept, which uses both port and direct injection to put out around 150kW.

“It's not confirmed, but I'd like to see a hybrid. I definitely want a hybrid,” Cramb told TMR.

But what definitely won't be on the Lexus stand at Detroit, however, will be an IS coupe.

Following the LF-CC concept's debut at the Paris Motor Show, many automotive publications (including TMR) speculated that it would be productionised as a coupe variant for the IS range.

However, when asked if the LF-CC was destined for the assembly line, Cramb simply replied: “Time will tell... time will tell.”

“We did confirm that the LF-CC is the basis for a D-segment coupe in the future, but we didn't confirm that it's necessarily IS-related,” Mr Cramb said.

“A lot of people are drawing that conclusion, but it's not completely accurate.

“The feedback from Paris has been amazing on that coupe, but nothing has been confirmed at this point in time.”

Cramb also told TMR that other bodystyles, such as a wagon, were not part of Lexus' plans for the IS.

 

[VipFREAK]

Not feeling any of this...

 

[Motor]

Update!

Lexus IS (2013) to get mini-GS look

(artist's impression by Christian Schulte)

The new saloon, launching around May 2013, will rectify that by adopting the 2.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid shown in the recent LF-CC concept car. But the range will be strictly petrol or hybrid, because Lexus won't replace the IS220d diesel. Is the lack of a derv option a mistake? Give us your thoughts in the comments below.

A successor to the M3-challenging, 417bhp IS F isn't completely ruled out, but unlikely in the current climate, say insiders.

What bodystyles will I be able to choose for a 2013 Lexus IS?

The volume seller will of course be the saloon, as shown in CAR's artist impression. However, Lexus will come good on the LF-CC's coupe bodystyle and build a sleeker two-door option to fight the Audi A5 and BMW 3-series coupe. The current IS never got a true coupe model: the closest we got was the IS250C folding hard-top. We'll see the saloon first in March at the 2013 Geneva motor show, with a coupe to follow on in 2014. Prices will rise slightly over the current car's £24-£32k, but Lexus hints standard equipment levels will be higher to compensate.

Both the saloon and coupe IS will be available with Lexus F Sport trim - a range-wide sporty trim option in the same vein as BMW M Sport packs, or Audi S-line. As we've seen on the GS and LS, F Sport models get bigger alloy wheels, wider grille openings, and a rear lip spoiler (not to mention copious one-upmanship badging inside and out).