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 GT86 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.)
[Source: Drive.com.au] (Thanks Matt!)
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