Lexus IS: 2nd Generation News & Information

Autocar is reporting that the next-generation Lexus IS will be offered as a wagon—and will be hybrid-only:

...while the original model did offer an estate variant, called SportCross, the current car - introduced in 2005 - has never been available in a wagon.

Lexus insiders now admit that this policy has hurt sales of the car in Europe, where it must face the 3-series Touring and A4 Avant.

The next IS is also likely to only be available as a hybrid, fitting in with the firm’s current push towards this technology.

With its position well established in the US, Lexus is focusing more and more on the European market. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a wagon version of the GS some time in the future, as well.

As for the IS going hybrid-only, that’s likely just a marketing decision in Europe similar to only offering the RX 450h in the UK. I wouldn’t expect this to happen in the North American market.

Other tidbit in the article—the next-generation IS should appear in 2011. Not a big surprise, but nice to hear regardless.

[Source: Autocar]

Lexus Australia has announced that the IS 350 sport sedan will be joining its lineup in the fourth quarter of 2010.  With its debut Down Under, the IS 350 gains a fourth national market after Canada, Japan, and the U.S., and also addresses the power differential between Lexus Australia’s other IS offerings, the IS 250 and IS-F.

Lexus Australia head Tony Cramb says that the IS 350’s Australian debut is the result of an intense negotiation process with Lexus headquarters in Japan.  At present only the IS 350 sedan variant is confirmed; Lexus Australia also sells the convertible IS 250 C, but not the more powerful IS 350 C.

[Source: Motor Report]

Intellichoice announced their annual Best Overall Values of the Year awards at the Chicago Auto Show last week, and Lexus was well represented. The IS took the Luxury Sports Sedan/Wagon category and the RX was named the best overall value in the Luxury Crossover category and the Best Crossover/SUV value over $28,000.

Read the Lexus press release

I love this atmospheric Lexus IS photo by Jiaren Hui that I found on Flickr:

Looks straight out of a getaway movie.

[Source: Jiaren Hui’s Flickr Photostream]

Lexus Japan has announced a new Lexus IS 250 X-Edition with a custom black interior with orange contrast stitching:

I’d like to see some higher resolution images to be sure, but I’m such a fan of these custom interiors. I hope this makes it to North America like the Passionate Black GS interior.

Japanese customers can choose this Black X Orange interior with Starfire Pearl, Glacier Frost Mica, Tungsten Pearl, Smoky Granite Mica, Obsidian and Matador Red exterior colors.

[Source: Lexus Japan]

Toyota has announced the recall of the Lexus ES 350 & IS 250/350 models to have their accelerator pedals reshaped and/or replaced.

This recall is to be a permanent solution to the risk of unintended acceleration, no matter what floor mat is being used. Starting in early 2010, dealerships will be equipped to reshape the affected pedals by “shaving” a 3/4 inch from the existing pedal, followed by a brand new pedal in April 2010. In the case of the ES 350, the floor surface will also be reshaped.

Both affected Lexus models will be receiving a new brake override system that will cut engine power if both the accelerator and brake pedals are pushed simultaneously.

If you’re affected by this recall, I suggest reading the full press release after the jump.

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