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.

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Comments
S
It's a standard longitudinal AWD system with a transaxle that creates a 50-50 split, all open diffs. At least that's true for the Crown Hybrid AWD. Not sure if the LS Hybrid AWD gets torsen or other devices allowing non-even/dynamic torque split.
S
It's a standard longitudinal AWD system with a transaxle that creates a 50-50 split, all open diffs. At least that's true for the Crown Hybrid AWD. Not sure if the LS Hybrid AWD gets torsen or other devices allowing non-even/dynamic torque split.
krew
thtupid
sorry to nitpick krew...nobody likes a nit picker I know...but the ES uses the 2GR-FKS not the FE. It has simulated Atkinson cycle and direct injection.
That's what I get for not looking it up. Thanks for the correction. :D
krew
thtupid
sorry to nitpick krew...nobody likes a nit picker I know...but the ES uses the 2GR-FKS not the FE. It has simulated Atkinson cycle and direct injection.
That's what I get for not looking it up. Thanks for the correction. :D
krew
thtupid
sorry to nitpick krew...nobody likes a nit picker I know...but the ES uses the 2GR-FKS not the FE. It has simulated Atkinson cycle and direct injection.
That's what I get for not looking it up. Thanks for the correction. :D
krew
thtupid
sorry to nitpick krew...nobody likes a nit picker I know...but the ES uses the 2GR-FKS not the FE. It has simulated Atkinson cycle and direct injection.
That's what I get for not looking it up. Thanks for the correction. :D
krew
thtupid
sorry to nitpick krew...nobody likes a nit picker I know...but the ES uses the 2GR-FKS not the FE. It has simulated Atkinson cycle and direct injection.
That's what I get for not looking it up. Thanks for the correction. :D
S
ssun30
I'm still not convinced there will be a 2.5 V6TT as most rumors point to an I4. But a 2.5 V6TT could be an awesome engine in terms of packaging. It could power a lot of transverse FWD-based performance vehicles without introducing excessive understeee like the V35A-FTS would. Not to mention it potentially makes available a transverse multi-stage hybrid system.
it will likely be 4cly, little chance of V6... they already decided that 3.5l is what they want from V6.
S
ssun30
I'm still not convinced there will be a 2.5 V6TT as most rumors point to an I4. But a 2.5 V6TT could be an awesome engine in terms of packaging. It could power a lot of transverse FWD-based performance vehicles without introducing excessive understeee like the V35A-FTS would. Not to mention it potentially makes available a transverse multi-stage hybrid system.
it will likely be 4cly, little chance of V6... they already decided that 3.5l is what they want from V6.
S
ssun30
I'm still not convinced there will be a 2.5 V6TT as most rumors point to an I4. But a 2.5 V6TT could be an awesome engine in terms of packaging. It could power a lot of transverse FWD-based performance vehicles without introducing excessive understeee like the V35A-FTS would. Not to mention it potentially makes available a transverse multi-stage hybrid system.
it will likely be 4cly, little chance of V6... they already decided that 3.5l is what they want from V6.
S
ssun30
I'm still not convinced there will be a 2.5 V6TT as most rumors point to an I4. But a 2.5 V6TT could be an awesome engine in terms of packaging. It could power a lot of transverse FWD-based performance vehicles without introducing excessive understeee like the V35A-FTS would. Not to mention it potentially makes available a transverse multi-stage hybrid system.
it will likely be 4cly, little chance of V6... they already decided that 3.5l is what they want from V6.
S
ssun30
I'm still not convinced there will be a 2.5 V6TT as most rumors point to an I4. But a 2.5 V6TT could be an awesome engine in terms of packaging. It could power a lot of transverse FWD-based performance vehicles without introducing excessive understeee like the V35A-FTS would. Not to mention it potentially makes available a transverse multi-stage hybrid system.
it will likely be 4cly, little chance of V6... they already decided that 3.5l is what they want from V6.
G
LexiF
It’s aimed at exactly the category you have named. Take theses stats for instance:
Mercedes c43 amg 362 bhp 3.0 TT V6
BMW 340i 321BHP 3.0 Twin scroll Turbo
Audi S4 349 bhp 3.0 turbo V6
Genesis G70 367 bhp 3.0 turbo V6
Lexus IS400 420+ bhp 3.5 TT V6

As you can see the IS will have the bragging rights on paper but will any of the competition have redesigned engines when it’s released? Maybe, if so will it still be more powerful? Hopefully! I’m very confident the new IS with this displacement, power and handling ability and in my opinion will be one of the best on the market that you are seeking. As well as all the technology, comfort, luxury and reliability that will come with it, would be quite a challenge to top it...unless you read biased (German) European car reviewers that say the best car in the world is a BMW and the only other car manufacturer that anyone else should buy from is Mercedes.
The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport has 400hp out of a 3.0 turbo V6, no word on Acura's upcoming brand-exclusive turbo V6 engine.

I would have already bought a 340i xDrive or the B9 S4 by now if I were not completely skeptical about their long term reliability, this is the whole reason why I've given up on all of the Germans, and I'm basically only looking at Lexus and Acura (with a strong preference for the former).

Gecko
C43 is now up to 385hp and BMW has 355hp+ versions of their I6, and the list goes on. By the time Lexus introduces the IS, 400hp will be the norm for top end performance models. Furthermore, Lexus engines haven't exactly been meeting their manufacturer quoted performance numbers, so what Lexus deems as 416hp will probably be competitive with everyone else who is around 370-385hp.
The Germans like to underrate their HP, claiming that it is to accurately reflect the available power under all situations.
G
LexiF
It’s aimed at exactly the category you have named. Take theses stats for instance:
Mercedes c43 amg 362 bhp 3.0 TT V6
BMW 340i 321BHP 3.0 Twin scroll Turbo
Audi S4 349 bhp 3.0 turbo V6
Genesis G70 367 bhp 3.0 turbo V6
Lexus IS400 420+ bhp 3.5 TT V6

As you can see the IS will have the bragging rights on paper but will any of the competition have redesigned engines when it’s released? Maybe, if so will it still be more powerful? Hopefully! I’m very confident the new IS with this displacement, power and handling ability and in my opinion will be one of the best on the market that you are seeking. As well as all the technology, comfort, luxury and reliability that will come with it, would be quite a challenge to top it...unless you read biased (German) European car reviewers that say the best car in the world is a BMW and the only other car manufacturer that anyone else should buy from is Mercedes.
The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport has 400hp out of a 3.0 turbo V6, no word on Acura's upcoming brand-exclusive turbo V6 engine.

I would have already bought a 340i xDrive or the B9 S4 by now if I were not completely skeptical about their long term reliability, this is the whole reason why I've given up on all of the Germans, and I'm basically only looking at Lexus and Acura (with a strong preference for the former).

Gecko
C43 is now up to 385hp and BMW has 355hp+ versions of their I6, and the list goes on. By the time Lexus introduces the IS, 400hp will be the norm for top end performance models. Furthermore, Lexus engines haven't exactly been meeting their manufacturer quoted performance numbers, so what Lexus deems as 416hp will probably be competitive with everyone else who is around 370-385hp.
The Germans like to underrate their HP, claiming that it is to accurately reflect the available power under all situations.
G
LexiF
It’s aimed at exactly the category you have named. Take theses stats for instance:
Mercedes c43 amg 362 bhp 3.0 TT V6
BMW 340i 321BHP 3.0 Twin scroll Turbo
Audi S4 349 bhp 3.0 turbo V6
Genesis G70 367 bhp 3.0 turbo V6
Lexus IS400 420+ bhp 3.5 TT V6

As you can see the IS will have the bragging rights on paper but will any of the competition have redesigned engines when it’s released? Maybe, if so will it still be more powerful? Hopefully! I’m very confident the new IS with this displacement, power and handling ability and in my opinion will be one of the best on the market that you are seeking. As well as all the technology, comfort, luxury and reliability that will come with it, would be quite a challenge to top it...unless you read biased (German) European car reviewers that say the best car in the world is a BMW and the only other car manufacturer that anyone else should buy from is Mercedes.
The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport has 400hp out of a 3.0 turbo V6, no word on Acura's upcoming brand-exclusive turbo V6 engine.

I would have already bought a 340i xDrive or the B9 S4 by now if I were not completely skeptical about their long term reliability, this is the whole reason why I've given up on all of the Germans, and I'm basically only looking at Lexus and Acura (with a strong preference for the former).

Gecko
C43 is now up to 385hp and BMW has 355hp+ versions of their I6, and the list goes on. By the time Lexus introduces the IS, 400hp will be the norm for top end performance models. Furthermore, Lexus engines haven't exactly been meeting their manufacturer quoted performance numbers, so what Lexus deems as 416hp will probably be competitive with everyone else who is around 370-385hp.
The Germans like to underrate their HP, claiming that it is to accurately reflect the available power under all situations.
G
LexiF
It’s aimed at exactly the category you have named. Take theses stats for instance:
Mercedes c43 amg 362 bhp 3.0 TT V6
BMW 340i 321BHP 3.0 Twin scroll Turbo
Audi S4 349 bhp 3.0 turbo V6
Genesis G70 367 bhp 3.0 turbo V6
Lexus IS400 420+ bhp 3.5 TT V6

As you can see the IS will have the bragging rights on paper but will any of the competition have redesigned engines when it’s released? Maybe, if so will it still be more powerful? Hopefully! I’m very confident the new IS with this displacement, power and handling ability and in my opinion will be one of the best on the market that you are seeking. As well as all the technology, comfort, luxury and reliability that will come with it, would be quite a challenge to top it...unless you read biased (German) European car reviewers that say the best car in the world is a BMW and the only other car manufacturer that anyone else should buy from is Mercedes.
The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport has 400hp out of a 3.0 turbo V6, no word on Acura's upcoming brand-exclusive turbo V6 engine.

I would have already bought a 340i xDrive or the B9 S4 by now if I were not completely skeptical about their long term reliability, this is the whole reason why I've given up on all of the Germans, and I'm basically only looking at Lexus and Acura (with a strong preference for the former).

Gecko
C43 is now up to 385hp and BMW has 355hp+ versions of their I6, and the list goes on. By the time Lexus introduces the IS, 400hp will be the norm for top end performance models. Furthermore, Lexus engines haven't exactly been meeting their manufacturer quoted performance numbers, so what Lexus deems as 416hp will probably be competitive with everyone else who is around 370-385hp.
The Germans like to underrate their HP, claiming that it is to accurately reflect the available power under all situations.
G
LexiF
It’s aimed at exactly the category you have named. Take theses stats for instance:
Mercedes c43 amg 362 bhp 3.0 TT V6
BMW 340i 321BHP 3.0 Twin scroll Turbo
Audi S4 349 bhp 3.0 turbo V6
Genesis G70 367 bhp 3.0 turbo V6
Lexus IS400 420+ bhp 3.5 TT V6

As you can see the IS will have the bragging rights on paper but will any of the competition have redesigned engines when it’s released? Maybe, if so will it still be more powerful? Hopefully! I’m very confident the new IS with this displacement, power and handling ability and in my opinion will be one of the best on the market that you are seeking. As well as all the technology, comfort, luxury and reliability that will come with it, would be quite a challenge to top it...unless you read biased (German) European car reviewers that say the best car in the world is a BMW and the only other car manufacturer that anyone else should buy from is Mercedes.
The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport has 400hp out of a 3.0 turbo V6, no word on Acura's upcoming brand-exclusive turbo V6 engine.

I would have already bought a 340i xDrive or the B9 S4 by now if I were not completely skeptical about their long term reliability, this is the whole reason why I've given up on all of the Germans, and I'm basically only looking at Lexus and Acura (with a strong preference for the former).

Gecko
C43 is now up to 385hp and BMW has 355hp+ versions of their I6, and the list goes on. By the time Lexus introduces the IS, 400hp will be the norm for top end performance models. Furthermore, Lexus engines haven't exactly been meeting their manufacturer quoted performance numbers, so what Lexus deems as 416hp will probably be competitive with everyone else who is around 370-385hp.
The Germans like to underrate their HP, claiming that it is to accurately reflect the available power under all situations.
Gecko
GNS
The Germans like to underrate their HP, claiming that it is to accurately reflect the available power under all situations.
Lexus should try something similar o_O
Gecko
GNS
The Germans like to underrate their HP, claiming that it is to accurately reflect the available power under all situations.
Lexus should try something similar o_O
Gecko
GNS
The Germans like to underrate their HP, claiming that it is to accurately reflect the available power under all situations.
Lexus should try something similar o_O
Gecko
GNS
The Germans like to underrate their HP, claiming that it is to accurately reflect the available power under all situations.
Lexus should try something similar o_O
Gecko
GNS
The Germans like to underrate their HP, claiming that it is to accurately reflect the available power under all situations.
Lexus should try something similar o_O
Ian Schmidt
Before we bury it, do we have any real-world dyno results proving that the torque numbers on the V35A are off by nearly 50 foot-pounds as Gecko alleges?
Ian Schmidt
Before we bury it, do we have any real-world dyno results proving that the torque numbers on the V35A are off by nearly 50 foot-pounds as Gecko alleges?
Ian Schmidt
Before we bury it, do we have any real-world dyno results proving that the torque numbers on the V35A are off by nearly 50 foot-pounds as Gecko alleges?
Ian Schmidt
Before we bury it, do we have any real-world dyno results proving that the torque numbers on the V35A are off by nearly 50 foot-pounds as Gecko alleges?
Ian Schmidt
Before we bury it, do we have any real-world dyno results proving that the torque numbers on the V35A are off by nearly 50 foot-pounds as Gecko alleges?
Gecko
Ian Schmidt
Before we bury it, do we have any real-world dyno results proving that the torque numbers on the V35A are off by nearly 50 foot-pounds as Gecko alleges?
What?
Gecko
Ian Schmidt
Before we bury it, do we have any real-world dyno results proving that the torque numbers on the V35A are off by nearly 50 foot-pounds as Gecko alleges?
What?
Gecko
Ian Schmidt
Before we bury it, do we have any real-world dyno results proving that the torque numbers on the V35A are off by nearly 50 foot-pounds as Gecko alleges?
What?

G