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
Popular Stories

Sorry. No data so far.

Comments
G
spwolf
I am sure they care about speed in the end.

It could be easy to say that BMW owners dont matter how they drive anymore since BMW's have not been sportiest cars for quite a while now... even that 740i, while much lighter, cant outhandle LS500. But I am sure it is not true.
Speed definitely matters...otherwise none of us here would care if the 2GR-FKS makes a return in the 4IS.
G
spwolf
I am sure they care about speed in the end.

It could be easy to say that BMW owners dont matter how they drive anymore since BMW's have not been sportiest cars for quite a while now... even that 740i, while much lighter, cant outhandle LS500. But I am sure it is not true.
Speed definitely matters...otherwise none of us here would care if the 2GR-FKS makes a return in the 4IS.
Ian Schmidt
spwolf
I am sure they care about speed in the end.

It could be easy to say that BMW owners dont matter how they drive anymore since BMW's have not been sportiest cars for quite a while now... even that 740i, while much lighter, cant outhandle LS500. But I am sure it is not true.
Right, but caring about speed and caring about the overall driving experience are different things. In general, for top-class cars like the LS and LC, they're what used to be called "fast enough", and great handling is a differentiator.

For the IS, speed does matter.
Ian Schmidt
spwolf
I am sure they care about speed in the end.

It could be easy to say that BMW owners dont matter how they drive anymore since BMW's have not been sportiest cars for quite a while now... even that 740i, while much lighter, cant outhandle LS500. But I am sure it is not true.
Right, but caring about speed and caring about the overall driving experience are different things. In general, for top-class cars like the LS and LC, they're what used to be called "fast enough", and great handling is a differentiator.

For the IS, speed does matter.
Ian Schmidt
spwolf
I am sure they care about speed in the end.

It could be easy to say that BMW owners dont matter how they drive anymore since BMW's have not been sportiest cars for quite a while now... even that 740i, while much lighter, cant outhandle LS500. But I am sure it is not true.
Right, but caring about speed and caring about the overall driving experience are different things. In general, for top-class cars like the LS and LC, they're what used to be called "fast enough", and great handling is a differentiator.

For the IS, speed does matter.
Ian Schmidt
spwolf
I am sure they care about speed in the end.

It could be easy to say that BMW owners dont matter how they drive anymore since BMW's have not been sportiest cars for quite a while now... even that 740i, while much lighter, cant outhandle LS500. But I am sure it is not true.
Right, but caring about speed and caring about the overall driving experience are different things. In general, for top-class cars like the LS and LC, they're what used to be called "fast enough", and great handling is a differentiator.

For the IS, speed does matter.
Ian Schmidt
spwolf
I am sure they care about speed in the end.

It could be easy to say that BMW owners dont matter how they drive anymore since BMW's have not been sportiest cars for quite a while now... even that 740i, while much lighter, cant outhandle LS500. But I am sure it is not true.
Right, but caring about speed and caring about the overall driving experience are different things. In general, for top-class cars like the LS and LC, they're what used to be called "fast enough", and great handling is a differentiator.

For the IS, speed does matter.
S
I just have this thought today that the 500h drivetrain can make a really fast IS. The LS and LC hybrids really surprise us with their straightline speed considering the power-to-weight ratio. It might even be powerful enough that a IS500h might be traction-limited.

I know it's not the best idea though as the multi-stage does not belong on a $50k vehicle...
S
I just have this thought today that the 500h drivetrain can make a really fast IS. The LS and LC hybrids really surprise us with their straightline speed considering the power-to-weight ratio. It might even be powerful enough that a IS500h might be traction-limited.

I know it's not the best idea though as the multi-stage does not belong on a $50k vehicle...
S
I just have this thought today that the 500h drivetrain can make a really fast IS. The LS and LC hybrids really surprise us with their straightline speed considering the power-to-weight ratio. It might even be powerful enough that a IS500h might be traction-limited.

I know it's not the best idea though as the multi-stage does not belong on a $50k vehicle...
S
I just have this thought today that the 500h drivetrain can make a really fast IS. The LS and LC hybrids really surprise us with their straightline speed considering the power-to-weight ratio. It might even be powerful enough that a IS500h might be traction-limited.

I know it's not the best idea though as the multi-stage does not belong on a $50k vehicle...
S
I just have this thought today that the 500h drivetrain can make a really fast IS. The LS and LC hybrids really surprise us with their straightline speed considering the power-to-weight ratio. It might even be powerful enough that a IS500h might be traction-limited.

I know it's not the best idea though as the multi-stage does not belong on a $50k vehicle...
S
ssun30
I just have this thought today that the 500h drivetrain can make a really fast IS. The LS and LC hybrids really surprise us with their straightline speed considering the power-to-weight ratio. It might even be powerful enough that a IS500h might be traction-limited.

I know it's not the best idea though as the multi-stage does not belong on a $50k vehicle...
there are rumors about IS500h being available, and also rumors that smaller powertrains will get multi-stage.
S
ssun30
I just have this thought today that the 500h drivetrain can make a really fast IS. The LS and LC hybrids really surprise us with their straightline speed considering the power-to-weight ratio. It might even be powerful enough that a IS500h might be traction-limited.

I know it's not the best idea though as the multi-stage does not belong on a $50k vehicle...
there are rumors about IS500h being available, and also rumors that smaller powertrains will get multi-stage.
S
ssun30
I just have this thought today that the 500h drivetrain can make a really fast IS. The LS and LC hybrids really surprise us with their straightline speed considering the power-to-weight ratio. It might even be powerful enough that a IS500h might be traction-limited.

I know it's not the best idea though as the multi-stage does not belong on a $50k vehicle...
there are rumors about IS500h being available, and also rumors that smaller powertrains will get multi-stage.
S
ssun30
I just have this thought today that the 500h drivetrain can make a really fast IS. The LS and LC hybrids really surprise us with their straightline speed considering the power-to-weight ratio. It might even be powerful enough that a IS500h might be traction-limited.

I know it's not the best idea though as the multi-stage does not belong on a $50k vehicle...
there are rumors about IS500h being available, and also rumors that smaller powertrains will get multi-stage.
S
ssun30
I just have this thought today that the 500h drivetrain can make a really fast IS. The LS and LC hybrids really surprise us with their straightline speed considering the power-to-weight ratio. It might even be powerful enough that a IS500h might be traction-limited.

I know it's not the best idea though as the multi-stage does not belong on a $50k vehicle...
there are rumors about IS500h being available, and also rumors that smaller powertrains will get multi-stage.
S
spwolf
there are rumors about IS500h being available, and also rumors that smaller powertrains will get multi-stage.
A 2.5L hybrid with a single ravigenaux gearset and three stages sounds like a great fit for the Highlander. Now the hybrids can get a low range without a transfer box. Opens up possibilities for hybrid trucks and offroad SUVs.

Great for the IS as well. The low gear can vastly increase launch performance which is demonstrated on the 500h already.
S
spwolf
there are rumors about IS500h being available, and also rumors that smaller powertrains will get multi-stage.
A 2.5L hybrid with a single ravigenaux gearset and three stages sounds like a great fit for the Highlander. Now the hybrids can get a low range without a transfer box. Opens up possibilities for hybrid trucks and offroad SUVs.

Great for the IS as well. The low gear can vastly increase launch performance which is demonstrated on the 500h already.
S
spwolf
there are rumors about IS500h being available, and also rumors that smaller powertrains will get multi-stage.
A 2.5L hybrid with a single ravigenaux gearset and three stages sounds like a great fit for the Highlander. Now the hybrids can get a low range without a transfer box. Opens up possibilities for hybrid trucks and offroad SUVs.

Great for the IS as well. The low gear can vastly increase launch performance which is demonstrated on the 500h already.
S
spwolf
there are rumors about IS500h being available, and also rumors that smaller powertrains will get multi-stage.
A 2.5L hybrid with a single ravigenaux gearset and three stages sounds like a great fit for the Highlander. Now the hybrids can get a low range without a transfer box. Opens up possibilities for hybrid trucks and offroad SUVs.

Great for the IS as well. The low gear can vastly increase launch performance which is demonstrated on the 500h already.
S
spwolf
there are rumors about IS500h being available, and also rumors that smaller powertrains will get multi-stage.
A 2.5L hybrid with a single ravigenaux gearset and three stages sounds like a great fit for the Highlander. Now the hybrids can get a low range without a transfer box. Opens up possibilities for hybrid trucks and offroad SUVs.

Great for the IS as well. The low gear can vastly increase launch performance which is demonstrated on the 500h already.
S
ssun30
A 2.5L hybrid with a single ravigenaux gearset and three stages sounds like a great fit for the Highlander. Now the hybrids can get a low range without a transfer box. Opens up possibilities for hybrid trucks and offroad SUVs.

Great for the IS as well. The low gear can vastly increase launch performance which is demonstrated on the 500h already.
and keep in mind that Highlander 4cly hybrid is coming for sure (announced with plant expansion that will build it), and thus RX will too. We wondered before how it will be done due to the weight (and even if it loses some weight), but now it makes more and more sense.
S
ssun30
A 2.5L hybrid with a single ravigenaux gearset and three stages sounds like a great fit for the Highlander. Now the hybrids can get a low range without a transfer box. Opens up possibilities for hybrid trucks and offroad SUVs.

Great for the IS as well. The low gear can vastly increase launch performance which is demonstrated on the 500h already.
and keep in mind that Highlander 4cly hybrid is coming for sure (announced with plant expansion that will build it), and thus RX will too. We wondered before how it will be done due to the weight (and even if it loses some weight), but now it makes more and more sense.
S
ssun30
A 2.5L hybrid with a single ravigenaux gearset and three stages sounds like a great fit for the Highlander. Now the hybrids can get a low range without a transfer box. Opens up possibilities for hybrid trucks and offroad SUVs.

Great for the IS as well. The low gear can vastly increase launch performance which is demonstrated on the 500h already.
and keep in mind that Highlander 4cly hybrid is coming for sure (announced with plant expansion that will build it), and thus RX will too. We wondered before how it will be done due to the weight (and even if it loses some weight), but now it makes more and more sense.
S
ssun30
A 2.5L hybrid with a single ravigenaux gearset and three stages sounds like a great fit for the Highlander. Now the hybrids can get a low range without a transfer box. Opens up possibilities for hybrid trucks and offroad SUVs.

Great for the IS as well. The low gear can vastly increase launch performance which is demonstrated on the 500h already.
and keep in mind that Highlander 4cly hybrid is coming for sure (announced with plant expansion that will build it), and thus RX will too. We wondered before how it will be done due to the weight (and even if it loses some weight), but now it makes more and more sense.
S
ssun30
A 2.5L hybrid with a single ravigenaux gearset and three stages sounds like a great fit for the Highlander. Now the hybrids can get a low range without a transfer box. Opens up possibilities for hybrid trucks and offroad SUVs.

Great for the IS as well. The low gear can vastly increase launch performance which is demonstrated on the 500h already.
and keep in mind that Highlander 4cly hybrid is coming for sure (announced with plant expansion that will build it), and thus RX will too. We wondered before how it will be done due to the weight (and even if it loses some weight), but now it makes more and more sense.
T
spwolf
and keep in mind that Highlander 4cly hybrid is coming for sure (announced with plant expansion that will build it), and thus RX will too. We wondered before how it will be done due to the weight (and even if it loses some weight), but now it makes more and more sense.
Eek, that sounds rather underpowered, though it should still be slightly better than the old 2.7l 4cyl.
T
spwolf
and keep in mind that Highlander 4cly hybrid is coming for sure (announced with plant expansion that will build it), and thus RX will too. We wondered before how it will be done due to the weight (and even if it loses some weight), but now it makes more and more sense.
Eek, that sounds rather underpowered, though it should still be slightly better than the old 2.7l 4cyl.
T
spwolf
and keep in mind that Highlander 4cly hybrid is coming for sure (announced with plant expansion that will build it), and thus RX will too. We wondered before how it will be done due to the weight (and even if it loses some weight), but now it makes more and more sense.
Eek, that sounds rather underpowered, though it should still be slightly better than the old 2.7l 4cyl.

T