Next-Generation Lexus IS Sedan to Grow in Size?


According to Japanese magazine Mag-X, the next-generation Lexus IS will debut in 2020 as a much larger sedan, with dimensions closer to the GS than the current IS model.

Using the numbers from the article, let’s make a comparison table with the IS old & new, the GS sedan, and the LC coupe for good measure:

Model Wheelbase Length Width Height
New IS 2870 mm (113 in) 4730 mm (186.2 in) 1815 mm (71.5 in) 1425 mm (56.1 in)
Current IS 2,800 mm (110.2 in) 4,681 mm (184.3 in) 1,810 mm (71.3 in) 1,430 mm (56.3 in)
Current GS 2,850 mm (112.2 in) 4,879 mm (192.1 in) 1,840 mm (72.4 in) 1,455 mm (57.3 in)
Current LC 2,870 mm (113.0 in) 4,760 mm (187.4 in) 1,920 mm (75.6 in) 1,345 mm (53.0 in)

If the Mag-X dimensions are correct, the next-gen IS could have a longer wheelbase and shorter overall length than the GS sedan. This discrepancy could mean shorter front & rear overhangs due to the adoption of the GA-L platform from the LC & LS.

The article suggests a new 2.4L four-cylinder turbo and a 2.5L hybrid as engine options, but there’s no mention of the 400+ horsepower IS 450 that was rumored a couple weeks back. Mag-X also throws in an IS F with the same 4.0L twin-turbo V8 that’s supposed to power the LC F coupe.

Here’s the full page from Mag-X, if anyone wants to translate the article in the comments:

Lexus IS Mag-X Full Page

JapanLexus IS: Third GenerationRumors
Comments
ssun30
The 2.4L turbo will be Inline-4 not a 90-degree V6.
If I remember correctly, a number of engines in the past (Audi comes to mind) have reduced their displacement via thicker cylinder walls/linings when boosting their engines. Could this rumored 2.4-liter turbo be nothing more than a turbocharged version of the latest Camry's 2.5-liter A25A-FKS 4-cylinder engine? Under this theory, thicker cylinder walls/linings would reduce cylinder displacement slightly to create an A24A-FTS engine.
ssun30
The 2.4L turbo will be Inline-4 not a 90-degree V6.
If I remember correctly, a number of engines in the past (Audi comes to mind) have reduced their displacement via thicker cylinder walls/linings when boosting their engines. Could this rumored 2.4-liter turbo be nothing more than a turbocharged version of the latest Camry's 2.5-liter A25A-FKS 4-cylinder engine? Under this theory, thicker cylinder walls/linings would reduce cylinder displacement slightly to create an A24A-FTS engine.
http://performancedrive.com.au/2020-lexus-is-to-be-topped-by-twin-turbo-v6-flagship-rumour-0409/

Rumors the LS TT-V6 makes it in the new IS. It better Lexus lags way behind now in hp in this segment.
http://performancedrive.com.au/2020-lexus-is-to-be-topped-by-twin-turbo-v6-flagship-rumour-0409/

Rumors the LS TT-V6 makes it in the new IS. It better Lexus lags way behind now in hp in this segment.
http://performancedrive.com.au/2020-lexus-is-to-be-topped-by-twin-turbo-v6-flagship-rumour-0409/

Rumors the LS TT-V6 makes it in the new IS. It better Lexus lags way behind now in hp in this segment.
mikeavelli
http://performancedrive.com.au/2020-lexus-is-to-be-topped-by-twin-turbo-v6-flagship-rumour-0409/

Rumors the LS TT-V6 makes it in the new IS. It better Lexus lags way behind now in hp in this segment.
On the plus side, that's something I've wanted to see for months. On the minus side, rumors out of Australia tend to be a little sketchy.
mikeavelli
http://performancedrive.com.au/2020-lexus-is-to-be-topped-by-twin-turbo-v6-flagship-rumour-0409/

Rumors the LS TT-V6 makes it in the new IS. It better Lexus lags way behind now in hp in this segment.
On the plus side, that's something I've wanted to see for months. On the minus side, rumors out of Australia tend to be a little sketchy.
mikeavelli
http://performancedrive.com.au/2020-lexus-is-to-be-topped-by-twin-turbo-v6-flagship-rumour-0409/

Rumors the LS TT-V6 makes it in the new IS. It better Lexus lags way behind now in hp in this segment.
On the plus side, that's something I've wanted to see for months. On the minus side, rumors out of Australia tend to be a little sketchy.
Joaquin Ruhi
If I remember correctly, a number of engines in the past (Audi comes to mind) have reduced their displacement via thicker cylinder walls/linings when boosting their engines. Could this rumored 2.4-liter turbo be nothing more than a turbocharged version of the latest Camry's 2.5-liter A25A-FKS 4-cylinder engine? Under this theory, thicker cylinder walls/linings would reduce cylinder displacement slightly to create an A24A-FTS engine.
This is the first time I hear of this and I don't know if such practice is widely used or not. Past Toyota turbocharged engines always have the exact same dimensions as NA counterparts. We don't even know if the 2.4 number is true.
Joaquin Ruhi
If I remember correctly, a number of engines in the past (Audi comes to mind) have reduced their displacement via thicker cylinder walls/linings when boosting their engines. Could this rumored 2.4-liter turbo be nothing more than a turbocharged version of the latest Camry's 2.5-liter A25A-FKS 4-cylinder engine? Under this theory, thicker cylinder walls/linings would reduce cylinder displacement slightly to create an A24A-FTS engine.
This is the first time I hear of this and I don't know if such practice is widely used or not. Past Toyota turbocharged engines always have the exact same dimensions as NA counterparts. We don't even know if the 2.4 number is true.
Joaquin Ruhi
If I remember correctly, a number of engines in the past (Audi comes to mind) have reduced their displacement via thicker cylinder walls/linings when boosting their engines. Could this rumored 2.4-liter turbo be nothing more than a turbocharged version of the latest Camry's 2.5-liter A25A-FKS 4-cylinder engine? Under this theory, thicker cylinder walls/linings would reduce cylinder displacement slightly to create an A24A-FTS engine.
This is the first time I hear of this and I don't know if such practice is widely used or not. Past Toyota turbocharged engines always have the exact same dimensions as NA counterparts. We don't even know if the 2.4 number is true.
CIF
Japanese publication Mag X has a rough sketch of the 4IS:



https://www.mag-x.com/shop/products/detail.php?product_id=109
No matter how hard I tried, I could not purchase this magazine online. I have an account, but password won't work. Have requested a reset, fingers crossed!
CIF
Japanese publication Mag X has a rough sketch of the 4IS:



https://www.mag-x.com/shop/products/detail.php?product_id=109
No matter how hard I tried, I could not purchase this magazine online. I have an account, but password won't work. Have requested a reset, fingers crossed!
CIF
Japanese publication Mag X has a rough sketch of the 4IS:



https://www.mag-x.com/shop/products/detail.php?product_id=109
No matter how hard I tried, I could not purchase this magazine online. I have an account, but password won't work. Have requested a reset, fingers crossed!
Actually found it on the Amazon.jp website, here's the IS article:

View attachment 2911

Anyone want to translate the important parts?
Actually found it on the Amazon.jp website, here's the IS article:

View attachment 2911

Anyone want to translate the important parts?
Actually found it on the Amazon.jp website, here's the IS article:

View attachment 2911

Anyone want to translate the important parts?
R
If that indeed is what the next IS will look like, it marks the great homogenization of Lexus.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing so long as the theme and underlying design element (that is being duplicated) is good.

Mercedes, Audi, BMW are all doing it, but the drawback is if the underlying theme sucks, well, the entire lineup follows suit. It’s all or nothing. Conversely, if it’s good, the exact opposite is true. Regardless, it creates a familiar identity; BMW has used this to a fault, good or bad.
R
If that indeed is what the next IS will look like, it marks the great homogenization of Lexus.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing so long as the theme and underlying design element (that is being duplicated) is good.

Mercedes, Audi, BMW are all doing it, but the drawback is if the underlying theme sucks, well, the entire lineup follows suit. It’s all or nothing. Conversely, if it’s good, the exact opposite is true. Regardless, it creates a familiar identity; BMW has used this to a fault, good or bad.
R
If that indeed is what the next IS will look like, it marks the great homogenization of Lexus.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing so long as the theme and underlying design element (that is being duplicated) is good.

Mercedes, Audi, BMW are all doing it, but the drawback is if the underlying theme sucks, well, the entire lineup follows suit. It’s all or nothing. Conversely, if it’s good, the exact opposite is true. Regardless, it creates a familiar identity; BMW has used this to a fault, good or bad.
C
  • C
    CIF
  • July 4, 2018
Awesome find krew! The rear end of the sketch is really rough, so they don't know exactly yet what it will look like.

I can't translate the thing, but tidbits I was able to discern:

- Talking about the LC and TNGA, the 4IS is obviously using GA-L.
- LC F and IS F are mentioned as well as the rumored 4.0L TT V8. Sounds like that means we could get a next-gen IS F with the rumored TT V8
- The UX is also oddly mentioned
- Both the 2.4L 4 cylinder turbo as well as the A25A engine are both mentioned. Different engines for different markets, or a sign that the 2.4L 4 cylinder turbo is related to the A25A?

- Listed dimensions for 4IS:
Wheelbase 2870mm (113 inch) ?
Length 4730mm (186.2 inch)
Width 1815mm (71.5 inch)
Height 1425mm height (56.1 inch)

For comparison, current 3IS dimensions:
Wheelbase 2,800 mm (110.2 in)
Length 4,681 mm (184.3 in)
Width 1,810 mm (71.3 in)
Height 1,430 mm (56.3 in)

Current 4GS dimensions:
Wheelbase 2,850 mm (112.2 in)
Length 4,879 mm (192.1 in)
Width 1,840 mm (72.4 in)
Height 1,455 mm (57.3 in)

LC dimensions:
Wheelbase 2,870 mm (113.0 in)
Length 4,760 mm (187.4 in)
Width 1,920 mm (75.6 in)
Height 1,345 mm (53.0 in)

There is a question mark though about the wheelbase as I can't read Japanese, and can't confirm if the wheelbase is indeed matching that of the LC. If true though, that's a noticeable length and significant wheelbase increase for the 4IS. That's also an identical wheelbase to the LC and extremely similar length. The IS getting LC dynamics...that would be huge. Also signifies decreased overhangs for the 4IS. Bigger wheelbase than the 4GS as well. So according to the measurements, size-wise the 4IS won't totally match the GS, but it gets closer to GS size than before. Of course, if we do get a next-gen GS in the future, it will be sure to grow in size.
C
  • C
    CIF
  • July 4, 2018
Awesome find krew! The rear end of the sketch is really rough, so they don't know exactly yet what it will look like.

I can't translate the thing, but tidbits I was able to discern:

- Talking about the LC and TNGA, the 4IS is obviously using GA-L.
- LC F and IS F are mentioned as well as the rumored 4.0L TT V8. Sounds like that means we could get a next-gen IS F with the rumored TT V8
- The UX is also oddly mentioned
- Both the 2.4L 4 cylinder turbo as well as the A25A engine are both mentioned. Different engines for different markets, or a sign that the 2.4L 4 cylinder turbo is related to the A25A?

- Listed dimensions for 4IS:
Wheelbase 2870mm (113 inch) ?
Length 4730mm (186.2 inch)
Width 1815mm (71.5 inch)
Height 1425mm height (56.1 inch)

For comparison, current 3IS dimensions:
Wheelbase 2,800 mm (110.2 in)
Length 4,681 mm (184.3 in)
Width 1,810 mm (71.3 in)
Height 1,430 mm (56.3 in)

Current 4GS dimensions:
Wheelbase 2,850 mm (112.2 in)
Length 4,879 mm (192.1 in)
Width 1,840 mm (72.4 in)
Height 1,455 mm (57.3 in)

LC dimensions:
Wheelbase 2,870 mm (113.0 in)
Length 4,760 mm (187.4 in)
Width 1,920 mm (75.6 in)
Height 1,345 mm (53.0 in)

There is a question mark though about the wheelbase as I can't read Japanese, and can't confirm if the wheelbase is indeed matching that of the LC. If true though, that's a noticeable length and significant wheelbase increase for the 4IS. That's also an identical wheelbase to the LC and extremely similar length. The IS getting LC dynamics...that would be huge. Also signifies decreased overhangs for the 4IS. Bigger wheelbase than the 4GS as well. So according to the measurements, size-wise the 4IS won't totally match the GS, but it gets closer to GS size than before. Of course, if we do get a next-gen GS in the future, it will be sure to grow in size.
C
  • C
    CIF
  • July 4, 2018
Awesome find krew! The rear end of the sketch is really rough, so they don't know exactly yet what it will look like.

I can't translate the thing, but tidbits I was able to discern:

- Talking about the LC and TNGA, the 4IS is obviously using GA-L.
- LC F and IS F are mentioned as well as the rumored 4.0L TT V8. Sounds like that means we could get a next-gen IS F with the rumored TT V8
- The UX is also oddly mentioned
- Both the 2.4L 4 cylinder turbo as well as the A25A engine are both mentioned. Different engines for different markets, or a sign that the 2.4L 4 cylinder turbo is related to the A25A?

- Listed dimensions for 4IS:
Wheelbase 2870mm (113 inch) ?
Length 4730mm (186.2 inch)
Width 1815mm (71.5 inch)
Height 1425mm height (56.1 inch)

For comparison, current 3IS dimensions:
Wheelbase 2,800 mm (110.2 in)
Length 4,681 mm (184.3 in)
Width 1,810 mm (71.3 in)
Height 1,430 mm (56.3 in)

Current 4GS dimensions:
Wheelbase 2,850 mm (112.2 in)
Length 4,879 mm (192.1 in)
Width 1,840 mm (72.4 in)
Height 1,455 mm (57.3 in)

LC dimensions:
Wheelbase 2,870 mm (113.0 in)
Length 4,760 mm (187.4 in)
Width 1,920 mm (75.6 in)
Height 1,345 mm (53.0 in)

There is a question mark though about the wheelbase as I can't read Japanese, and can't confirm if the wheelbase is indeed matching that of the LC. If true though, that's a noticeable length and significant wheelbase increase for the 4IS. That's also an identical wheelbase to the LC and extremely similar length. The IS getting LC dynamics...that would be huge. Also signifies decreased overhangs for the 4IS. Bigger wheelbase than the 4GS as well. So according to the measurements, size-wise the 4IS won't totally match the GS, but it gets closer to GS size than before. Of course, if we do get a next-gen GS in the future, it will be sure to grow in size.
A25A-FKS = naturally aspirated
A25A-FXS = naturally aspirated + electric motor (hybrid)
A25A-FTS = forced induction (turbo)

?
A25A-FKS = naturally aspirated
A25A-FXS = naturally aspirated + electric motor (hybrid)
A25A-FTS = forced induction (turbo)

?
A25A-FKS = naturally aspirated
A25A-FXS = naturally aspirated + electric motor (hybrid)
A25A-FTS = forced induction (turbo)

?
C
Wishful thinking the 4IS will be out as a 2020 MY and fitted with a flagship powertrain unless this is an "F" model. If anything, for a non-F version, the 3.5TT will have to be detuned to ~350hp which will be in line to compete with the 440i and S5. Needless to say, I do hope for a 4IS release in 2020 with a better quality interior, more competitive tech and powertrains, which will get me back into one.

C