Rendered: The Next-Generation Lexus IS Sedan

Posted by Kevin on October 5th, 2018

Renderings of the next-generation Lexus IS are a favorite of the Japanese automotive press — this attempt by (a currently unknown) magazine was posted yesterday by a Lexus fan on Instagram:

Lexus IS Rear Next-Generation

The differences between this photochop and the existing model are minimal — the only changes are with the front and rear bumpers, making this rendering seem more like a mid-cycle refresh. That said, the design of the current IS sedan has never been a weakness, and maintaining some consistency across generations would not be a bad move.

The magazine mentions a 2021 release along with some preliminary dimensions:

Lexus IS Dimensions Next-Generation

Compared to the current model, the next-generation IS length and wheelbase would grow by 4cm, with all other measurements staying the same. Also mentioned is a 2.5L engine with 181 horsepower, which makes absolutely no sense and I’m choosing to ignore.

FeaturesLexus IS: Third GenerationPhotochops
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Comments
Joaquin Ruhi
I've often fantasized and wondered why Toyota didn't just follow the BMW, Mercedes and (rumored) Jaguar playbook and take their 2-liter inline 4 and add a couple of cylinders to create a 3-liter inline 6 of their own. In other words, either add a couple of cylinders to the 8AR-FTS turbo 2-liter inline 4 or add the cylinders + turbo to the newer Dynamic Force M20A-FKS 2-liter 4.

Probably, as Gecko noted, they couldn't make a business case for it even though such an indigenous Toyota/Lexus inline 6 could've also been used in the Toyota Crown, myriad Lexus RWD-platform cars and even in the upcoming TNGA-F body-on-frame truck platform vehicles. Then again, the longer inline 6 would probably wreak havoc with the pseudo-front-mid-engine placement of the GA-L and TNGA-N platforms and adversely affect handling... :confounded:
G
joepac
Anyone got a link to this article? Sounds interesting.
http://club4ag.com/chief-engineer-t...gh-a-viewpoint-of-joint-development-with-bmw/

http://youwheel.com/home/2016/03/27/detailed-analysis-the-bmw-b58-inline-6-cylinder-engine/

I had little confidence in BMW's reliability quotient before reading these articles, and even less afterwards. This is why I'm looking forward very much to seeing if rumors of the TTV6 pan out for the IS lineup, and not just for the F performance model. I know CUV and SUV fever is in full swing, and the luxury sports sedan market is in decline despite the strong offerings from BMW, Audi, MB, Genesis, Infiniti...and Kia (sportback). Even so, this doesn't mean that I'm going to just shrug my shoulders, apologize for Lexus' shortcomings and plunk down money for an IS with a NA V6 that's been in use since 2006, reliable or not. I won't get mad if Lexus doesn't do what I hope they'll end up doing, but it means that I'll be looking at a competitor vehicle and the G70 is at the very top of that list.
joepac
GNS
http://club4ag.com/chief-engineer-t...gh-a-viewpoint-of-joint-development-with-bmw/

http://youwheel.com/home/2016/03/27/detailed-analysis-the-bmw-b58-inline-6-cylinder-engine/

I had little confidence in BMW's reliability quotient before reading these articles, and even less afterwards. This is why I'm looking forward very much to seeing if Lexus will put the TTV6 into a top trim, non F-model IS. I know CUV and SUV fever is in full swing, and the luxury sports sedan market is in decline despite the strong offerings from BMW, Audi, MB, Genesis, Infiniti...and Kia (sportback).

Even so, this doesn't mean that I'm going to just shrug my shoulders, apologize for Lexus' shortcomings and plunk down money for an IS with a NA V6 that's been in use since 2006. It doesn't matter how reliable it is, I want more power. I won't get mad if Lexus doesn't do what I hope they'll end up doing, but it means that I'll be looking at a competitor vehicle and the G70 is at the very top of that list.

I wouldn't be mad either just disappointed and vote with my feet. I will always have my 2IS.
I
Even Mazda realized people like power and added about 30 HP to the 2019 Miata. :)
G
internalaudit
Even Mazda realized people like power and added about 30 HP to the 2019 Miata. :)
And they're putting in a 2.5T into the CX-5.
F1 Silver Arrows
ssun30
Mild hybrid is not cheaper than full hybrid, and that's the problem which prevents it from really spreading. Lexus will have an entire full hybrid lineup by 2025, for them mild hybrid is an unnecessary technological dead-end. Many supporters of the mild hybrid are European manufacturers who invested too much into the soon-to-be-dead diesel technology and cannot catch up in the hybrid game.
Thank you!! No truer words have ever been said in regards to the European car industry. I love how they're trying to copy the Japanese (and yet stupid fan girls say otherwise). Japan FTW. Period.
L
So are we saying we can’t have a performance V6 and high performance V8 in the same model? So even though the 2IS series was capable to hold both in its range the 4IS will not due to the inability to sell them? Costing too much to invest to inevitably make a loss and fail in the segment of performance saloons. So Lexus performance should be widely known as being decent but is not a priority and therefore their F marquee is focused solely on mid performance e.g. 340i/440i, c43 AMG, S5 Quattro etc. Or should it focus on the high performance spectrum in the same category as the M3, C63 AMG etc. Leaving a void in a cheaper mid performance, luxury and comfortable trim leaving all competitors to cater for this market? I cannot understand how the LS has a bigger audience and potentially larger market then the IS and RC! A LS500 (V6 TT) and (rumoured) LSF (V8 TT) is plausible yet others are not? That would be complete madness!

This is why I believe what I’m told that the IS will house more varients with hybrids, 2.0T, 2.5 V6, 3.5TT and V8TT. To me that sounds like a strong line up catering to many customers including new ones due to the modern engines, performance alternatives, reliability, luxury, economy and the best customer service!
F1 Silver Arrows
LexiF
So are we saying we can’t have a performance V6 and high performance V8 in the same model? So even though the 2IS series was capable to hold both in its range the 4IS will not due to the inability to sell them? Costing too much to invest to inevitably make a loss and fail in the segment of performance saloons. So Lexus performance should be widely known as being decent but is not a priority and therefore their F marquee is focused solely on mid performance e.g. 340i/440i, c43 AMG, S5 Quattro etc. Or should it focus on the high performance spectrum in the same category as the M3, C63 AMG etc. Leaving a void in a cheaper mid performance, luxury and comfortable trim leaving all competitors to cater for this market? I cannot understand how the LS has a bigger audience and potentially larger market then the IS and RC! A LS500 (V6 TT) and (rumoured) LSF (V8 TT) is plausible yet others are not? That would be complete madness!

This is why I believe what I’m told that the IS will house more varients with hybrids, 2.0T, 2.5 V6, 3.5TT and V8TT. To me that sounds like a strong line up catering to many customers including new ones due to the modern engines, performance alternatives, reliability, luxury, economy and the best customer service!
I've been wanting this for forever. Use Mercedes-Benz/AMG's playbook! Though they need to make some monumental changes on their cars for that to happen like switching to RWD and having complex AWD systems to accompany them. Still, the UX (and CT if it comes back) could be FWD city cars because it makes sense. Have an LFA at the very top as well. :D

Lexus is the company that is most akin to Mercedes-Benz. One has German style, and the other has Japanese flair. These two are definitely the best luxury car companies out there (we can't forget about pesky Porsche either).

F