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
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.
S
GNS
Speed definitely matters...otherwise none of us here would care if the 2GR-FKS makes a return in the 4IS.
and here's another real world acc test of the LS


It's not slow (5.86 sec) by any means, but far from manufacturer claimed number
speed definitely matters, otherwise there is no need for improvement
Back to 4IS...if 3.5TT does indeed make into the next IS, power should not be an issue. Weight will be more of a concern. Lexus needs to figure that part out.
The press have mentioned it too many times, from the IS, to the RC. The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform. Lets hope things will eventually get better.
S
GNS
Speed definitely matters...otherwise none of us here would care if the 2GR-FKS makes a return in the 4IS.
and here's another real world acc test of the LS


It's not slow (5.86 sec) by any means, but far from manufacturer claimed number
speed definitely matters, otherwise there is no need for improvement
Back to 4IS...if 3.5TT does indeed make into the next IS, power should not be an issue. Weight will be more of a concern. Lexus needs to figure that part out.
The press have mentioned it too many times, from the IS, to the RC. The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform. Lets hope things will eventually get better.
S
GNS
Speed definitely matters...otherwise none of us here would care if the 2GR-FKS makes a return in the 4IS.
and here's another real world acc test of the LS


It's not slow (5.86 sec) by any means, but far from manufacturer claimed number
speed definitely matters, otherwise there is no need for improvement
Back to 4IS...if 3.5TT does indeed make into the next IS, power should not be an issue. Weight will be more of a concern. Lexus needs to figure that part out.
The press have mentioned it too many times, from the IS, to the RC. The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform. Lets hope things will eventually get better.
S
GNS
Speed definitely matters...otherwise none of us here would care if the 2GR-FKS makes a return in the 4IS.
and here's another real world acc test of the LS


It's not slow (5.86 sec) by any means, but far from manufacturer claimed number
speed definitely matters, otherwise there is no need for improvement
Back to 4IS...if 3.5TT does indeed make into the next IS, power should not be an issue. Weight will be more of a concern. Lexus needs to figure that part out.
The press have mentioned it too many times, from the IS, to the RC. The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform. Lets hope things will eventually get better.
S
GNS
Speed definitely matters...otherwise none of us here would care if the 2GR-FKS makes a return in the 4IS.
and here's another real world acc test of the LS


It's not slow (5.86 sec) by any means, but far from manufacturer claimed number
speed definitely matters, otherwise there is no need for improvement
Back to 4IS...if 3.5TT does indeed make into the next IS, power should not be an issue. Weight will be more of a concern. Lexus needs to figure that part out.
The press have mentioned it too many times, from the IS, to the RC. The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform. Lets hope things will eventually get better.
F1 Silver Arrows
sl0519
and here's another real world acc test of the LS


It's not slow (5.86 sec) by any means, but far from manufacturer claimed number
speed definitely matters, otherwise there is no need for improvement
Back to 4IS...if 3.5TT does indeed make into the next IS, power should not be an issue. Weight will be more of a concern. Lexus needs to figure that part out.
The press have mentioned it too many times, from the IS, to the RC. The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform. Lets hope things will eventually get better.
Yay an acceleration video!! Take note that this is in Australia, and the place where this guy tests is generally way above sea level, explaining the times. If you look at his other videos, cars are generally 0.5-1.0 second slower than their claimed manufacturers estimated time. I timed this myself and I got 5.6 seconds (not accurate I know), which is still decent nonetheless. Just subtract the delta time and you are good.
F1 Silver Arrows
sl0519
and here's another real world acc test of the LS


It's not slow (5.86 sec) by any means, but far from manufacturer claimed number
speed definitely matters, otherwise there is no need for improvement
Back to 4IS...if 3.5TT does indeed make into the next IS, power should not be an issue. Weight will be more of a concern. Lexus needs to figure that part out.
The press have mentioned it too many times, from the IS, to the RC. The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform. Lets hope things will eventually get better.
Yay an acceleration video!! Take note that this is in Australia, and the place where this guy tests is generally way above sea level, explaining the times. If you look at his other videos, cars are generally 0.5-1.0 second slower than their claimed manufacturers estimated time. I timed this myself and I got 5.6 seconds (not accurate I know), which is still decent nonetheless. Just subtract the delta time and you are good.
F1 Silver Arrows
sl0519
and here's another real world acc test of the LS


It's not slow (5.86 sec) by any means, but far from manufacturer claimed number
speed definitely matters, otherwise there is no need for improvement
Back to 4IS...if 3.5TT does indeed make into the next IS, power should not be an issue. Weight will be more of a concern. Lexus needs to figure that part out.
The press have mentioned it too many times, from the IS, to the RC. The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform. Lets hope things will eventually get better.
Yay an acceleration video!! Take note that this is in Australia, and the place where this guy tests is generally way above sea level, explaining the times. If you look at his other videos, cars are generally 0.5-1.0 second slower than their claimed manufacturers estimated time. I timed this myself and I got 5.6 seconds (not accurate I know), which is still decent nonetheless. Just subtract the delta time and you are good.
F1 Silver Arrows
sl0519
and here's another real world acc test of the LS


It's not slow (5.86 sec) by any means, but far from manufacturer claimed number
speed definitely matters, otherwise there is no need for improvement
Back to 4IS...if 3.5TT does indeed make into the next IS, power should not be an issue. Weight will be more of a concern. Lexus needs to figure that part out.
The press have mentioned it too many times, from the IS, to the RC. The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform. Lets hope things will eventually get better.
Yay an acceleration video!! Take note that this is in Australia, and the place where this guy tests is generally way above sea level, explaining the times. If you look at his other videos, cars are generally 0.5-1.0 second slower than their claimed manufacturers estimated time. I timed this myself and I got 5.6 seconds (not accurate I know), which is still decent nonetheless. Just subtract the delta time and you are good.
F1 Silver Arrows
sl0519
and here's another real world acc test of the LS


It's not slow (5.86 sec) by any means, but far from manufacturer claimed number
speed definitely matters, otherwise there is no need for improvement
Back to 4IS...if 3.5TT does indeed make into the next IS, power should not be an issue. Weight will be more of a concern. Lexus needs to figure that part out.
The press have mentioned it too many times, from the IS, to the RC. The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform. Lets hope things will eventually get better.
Yay an acceleration video!! Take note that this is in Australia, and the place where this guy tests is generally way above sea level, explaining the times. If you look at his other videos, cars are generally 0.5-1.0 second slower than their claimed manufacturers estimated time. I timed this myself and I got 5.6 seconds (not accurate I know), which is still decent nonetheless. Just subtract the delta time and you are good.
S
sl0519
and here's another real world acc test of the LS

The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform.
Sure it does, it is better handler than 740i. LS better handling vehicle than S and 7? Yes.

As to the weight, it always have to do a lot with luxury.

Just checked out video comparing X3 and RX350. While X3 was considerably faster vehicle, partially due to weight, it also was 6db louder at 70 mph. That is crazy difference between the vehicles, it is like Toyota vs Lexus
S
sl0519
and here's another real world acc test of the LS

The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform.
Sure it does, it is better handler than 740i. LS better handling vehicle than S and 7? Yes.

As to the weight, it always have to do a lot with luxury.

Just checked out video comparing X3 and RX350. While X3 was considerably faster vehicle, partially due to weight, it also was 6db louder at 70 mph. That is crazy difference between the vehicles, it is like Toyota vs Lexus
S
sl0519
and here's another real world acc test of the LS

The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform.
Sure it does, it is better handler than 740i. LS better handling vehicle than S and 7? Yes.

As to the weight, it always have to do a lot with luxury.

Just checked out video comparing X3 and RX350. While X3 was considerably faster vehicle, partially due to weight, it also was 6db louder at 70 mph. That is crazy difference between the vehicles, it is like Toyota vs Lexus
S
sl0519
and here's another real world acc test of the LS

The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform.
Sure it does, it is better handler than 740i. LS better handling vehicle than S and 7? Yes.

As to the weight, it always have to do a lot with luxury.

Just checked out video comparing X3 and RX350. While X3 was considerably faster vehicle, partially due to weight, it also was 6db louder at 70 mph. That is crazy difference between the vehicles, it is like Toyota vs Lexus
S
sl0519
and here's another real world acc test of the LS

The new LS does not seem to benefit from the new platform.
Sure it does, it is better handler than 740i. LS better handling vehicle than S and 7? Yes.

As to the weight, it always have to do a lot with luxury.

Just checked out video comparing X3 and RX350. While X3 was considerably faster vehicle, partially due to weight, it also was 6db louder at 70 mph. That is crazy difference between the vehicles, it is like Toyota vs Lexus
Ian Schmidt
spwolf
Just checked out video comparing X3 and RX350. While X3 was considerably faster vehicle, partially due to weight, it also was 6db louder at 70 mpg. That is crazy difference between the vehicles, it is like Toyota vs Lexus
For those who aren't aware, 6dB means the X3 is twice as loud as the RX. That's insane.
Ian Schmidt
spwolf
Just checked out video comparing X3 and RX350. While X3 was considerably faster vehicle, partially due to weight, it also was 6db louder at 70 mpg. That is crazy difference between the vehicles, it is like Toyota vs Lexus
For those who aren't aware, 6dB means the X3 is twice as loud as the RX. That's insane.
Ian Schmidt
spwolf
Just checked out video comparing X3 and RX350. While X3 was considerably faster vehicle, partially due to weight, it also was 6db louder at 70 mpg. That is crazy difference between the vehicles, it is like Toyota vs Lexus
For those who aren't aware, 6dB means the X3 is twice as loud as the RX. That's insane.
Ian Schmidt
spwolf
Just checked out video comparing X3 and RX350. While X3 was considerably faster vehicle, partially due to weight, it also was 6db louder at 70 mpg. That is crazy difference between the vehicles, it is like Toyota vs Lexus
For those who aren't aware, 6dB means the X3 is twice as loud as the RX. That's insane.
Ian Schmidt
spwolf
Just checked out video comparing X3 and RX350. While X3 was considerably faster vehicle, partially due to weight, it also was 6db louder at 70 mpg. That is crazy difference between the vehicles, it is like Toyota vs Lexus
For those who aren't aware, 6dB means the X3 is twice as loud as the RX. That's insane.
C
  • C
    CT2IS
  • August 24, 2018
I'd take the RX vs X3 interior dbA measurements in that review with a grain of salt. Car and Driver tested both vehicles using a controlled method and got 67db @ 70mph for both vehicles. A tie. There's no way an X3 is twice as loud as an RX particularly since I can guarantee you the torsional rigidity of the X3 is a fair bit higher than the RX. The Audi SQ5 bested both the BMW and Lexus by 1db.

I can't link since my account is new. But look up Car and Driver's test. They do a very thorough job at testing various metrics such as interior db, sight line angles, etc.
C
  • C
    CT2IS
  • August 24, 2018
I'd take the RX vs X3 interior dbA measurements in that review with a grain of salt. Car and Driver tested both vehicles using a controlled method and got 67db @ 70mph for both vehicles. A tie. There's no way an X3 is twice as loud as an RX particularly since I can guarantee you the torsional rigidity of the X3 is a fair bit higher than the RX. The Audi SQ5 bested both the BMW and Lexus by 1db.

I can't link since my account is new. But look up Car and Driver's test. They do a very thorough job at testing various metrics such as interior db, sight line angles, etc.
C
  • C
    CT2IS
  • August 24, 2018
I'd take the RX vs X3 interior dbA measurements in that review with a grain of salt. Car and Driver tested both vehicles using a controlled method and got 67db @ 70mph for both vehicles. A tie. There's no way an X3 is twice as loud as an RX particularly since I can guarantee you the torsional rigidity of the X3 is a fair bit higher than the RX. The Audi SQ5 bested both the BMW and Lexus by 1db.

I can't link since my account is new. But look up Car and Driver's test. They do a very thorough job at testing various metrics such as interior db, sight line angles, etc.
C
  • C
    CT2IS
  • August 24, 2018
I'd take the RX vs X3 interior dbA measurements in that review with a grain of salt. Car and Driver tested both vehicles using a controlled method and got 67db @ 70mph for both vehicles. A tie. There's no way an X3 is twice as loud as an RX particularly since I can guarantee you the torsional rigidity of the X3 is a fair bit higher than the RX. The Audi SQ5 bested both the BMW and Lexus by 1db.

I can't link since my account is new. But look up Car and Driver's test. They do a very thorough job at testing various metrics such as interior db, sight line angles, etc.
C
  • C
    CT2IS
  • August 24, 2018
I'd take the RX vs X3 interior dbA measurements in that review with a grain of salt. Car and Driver tested both vehicles using a controlled method and got 67db @ 70mph for both vehicles. A tie. There's no way an X3 is twice as loud as an RX particularly since I can guarantee you the torsional rigidity of the X3 is a fair bit higher than the RX. The Audi SQ5 bested both the BMW and Lexus by 1db.

I can't link since my account is new. But look up Car and Driver's test. They do a very thorough job at testing various metrics such as interior db, sight line angles, etc.
S
CT2IS
I'd take the RX vs X3 interior dbA measurements in that review with a grain of salt. Car and Driver tested both vehicles using a controlled method and got 67db @ 70mph for both vehicles. A tie. There's no way an X3 is twice as loud as an RX particularly since I can guarantee you the torsional rigidity of the X3 is a fair bit higher than the RX. The Audi SQ5 bested both the BMW and Lexus by 1db.

I can't link since my account is new. But look up Car and Driver's test. They do a very thorough job at testing various metrics such as interior db, sight line angles, etc.
What does torsional rigidity have to do with sound proofing, weight of the vehicle and saving a bit of money? X3 is also noticeably louder in that video, including very loud engine, and certainly reviewers liked it so I have no doubts about its authenticity - you can very well hear it.

And it is not 2x, it is 60% louder.

p.s. i also found it interesting that RX got same mpg with 15 year old V6 than brand new 2.0t from BMW, despite lighter weight of the X3.
S
CT2IS
I'd take the RX vs X3 interior dbA measurements in that review with a grain of salt. Car and Driver tested both vehicles using a controlled method and got 67db @ 70mph for both vehicles. A tie. There's no way an X3 is twice as loud as an RX particularly since I can guarantee you the torsional rigidity of the X3 is a fair bit higher than the RX. The Audi SQ5 bested both the BMW and Lexus by 1db.

I can't link since my account is new. But look up Car and Driver's test. They do a very thorough job at testing various metrics such as interior db, sight line angles, etc.
What does torsional rigidity have to do with sound proofing, weight of the vehicle and saving a bit of money? X3 is also noticeably louder in that video, including very loud engine, and certainly reviewers liked it so I have no doubts about its authenticity - you can very well hear it.

And it is not 2x, it is 60% louder.

p.s. i also found it interesting that RX got same mpg with 15 year old V6 than brand new 2.0t from BMW, despite lighter weight of the X3.
S
CT2IS
I'd take the RX vs X3 interior dbA measurements in that review with a grain of salt. Car and Driver tested both vehicles using a controlled method and got 67db @ 70mph for both vehicles. A tie. There's no way an X3 is twice as loud as an RX particularly since I can guarantee you the torsional rigidity of the X3 is a fair bit higher than the RX. The Audi SQ5 bested both the BMW and Lexus by 1db.

I can't link since my account is new. But look up Car and Driver's test. They do a very thorough job at testing various metrics such as interior db, sight line angles, etc.
What does torsional rigidity have to do with sound proofing, weight of the vehicle and saving a bit of money? X3 is also noticeably louder in that video, including very loud engine, and certainly reviewers liked it so I have no doubts about its authenticity - you can very well hear it.

And it is not 2x, it is 60% louder.

p.s. i also found it interesting that RX got same mpg with 15 year old V6 than brand new 2.0t from BMW, despite lighter weight of the X3.

S