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Lexus IS Coupe for 2012?

Posted by Kevin on October 6th, 2010

Speaking of the next-generation Lexus IS, Autoblog ran a rumor last week that suggests a IS coupe is in the works:

…Lexus could finally add an IS coupe to its lineup. Lexus recognizes that it hasn’t had a credible player in that market for far too long, and with the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe around the corner and the two-door BMW 3 Series holding its own, the obvious question is why hasn’t Lexus done it sooner?

According to our sources, it was easier for Toyota to make a business case for the IS cabrio, particularly given the SC430’s imminent demise and Lexus’ need for a drop-top offering to fill the hole. If the coupe does come to fruition – and we’ve been told in no uncertain terms that it’s in the cards – expect the two-door IS to bow sometime in late 2012 or early 2013. And it’s safe to assume an F version will arrive with in year of the coupe’s debut.

A IS coupe is an absolute necessity for the next-generation — the convertible was certainly a step in the right direction, but the only way the IS will truly be able to compete with the new 3-Series & C-Class is to match them in all possible variations, if only from a sales perspective.

(Even better, add an IS hybrid to the mix and Lexus then has an advantage over the competition.)

[Source: Autoblog]

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Comments
T
  • T
    tyler
  • October 6, 2010
it's a little surprising that they would come out with it for the 2012 model year when they plan on a new model for 2013. Maybe it's just to kind of test the waters with a coupe before an entirely new model
J
  • J
    JVX
  • October 6, 2010
I would really like the hybrid version to be offered for the IS, and make it run on 87 octane too, just like the upcoming CT200h.
J
  • J
    James
  • October 6, 2010
tyler wrote:it’s a little surprising that they would come out with it for the 2012 model year when they plan on a new model for 2013. Maybe it’s just to kind of test the waters with a coupe before an entirely new model
I think they meant it would come out in 2012 as a 2013 model, but I may be wrong.
T
  • T
    ThaDRD
  • October 6, 2010
Infiniti has had a G-series coupe for years now. I wish my IS350 was a coupe.
krew
tyler wrote:it’s a little surprising that they would come out with it for the 2012 model year when they plan on a new model for 2013. Maybe it’s just to kind of test the waters with a coupe before an entirely new model
That point was probably a little confusing -- I don't think a coupe would come out before the sedan, I see both coming out in 2012 as 2013 MYs.
S
  • S
    SS
  • October 8, 2010
So, the next gen IS will come in 6 versions. A sedan, a wagon, a convertible, a coupe, IS-F sedan and IS-F coupe. Sweet.
krew
SS wrote:So, the next gen IS will come in 6 versions. A sedan, a wagon, a convertible, a coupe, IS-F sedan and IS-F coupe. Sweet.
Maybe even a IS-F convertible?
S
  • S
    SS
  • October 8, 2010
Umm...I really doubt it, convertibles are rarely seen as performance cars, and usually seen as cruising car, with looks being the most important thing. So probably Lexus will just give it an F visiual package.
J
  • J
    Jerthebehr
  • January 24, 2012
1/24/12. JERTHEBEHR: I saw an IS Coupe at my local (Orange County, CA, Toyota dealership in December'11 whilst I was in for service on my car.  It was all black, appeared to have a hard-top type convertible, much like the MBz CLK.  It was badged IS on the rear only. It had an out of state license on it.  Had dual exhausts and was very sharp.  The driver didn't want to talk about it, so figured it must have been a special intro unit.

J