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
CT2IS
No way Lexus is keeping the current 8AR-FTS and current V6 for the 4IS. These engines are extremely underwhelming even as of 2016. The 4IS would fall flat on its face at launch.

My take is Lexus will launch with a new redesigned turbo 4 (or at least HIGHLY revised--there's some strong deliberate de-tuning in the current one) and a scaled down/detuned TT V6 (probably through software) from the LS to push out around 330 hp.

The 4IS will have to lose at least 150-200 lbs to be successful.
Yes - in terms for car enthusiasts - it will fall flat on its face. But in terms of the "bean-counters" and Toyota corporate - it'll make 100% sense to recycle the engine. And 100% I hope they don't either but the business-perspective side of me know they will.

Why do I think they will recycle the engine?
1) Firstly - Toyota is slow as hell in terms of changing things up. Evidence of this is the IS250/IS350 engine from the 2G IS made it into the 3G IS. That shows Toyota has no problem with recycling engines.
2) The 8AR was first introduced in 2015 and the 2GR-FKS was also introduced in 2015. That's still "fairly" new. Toyota will want to max the use of these engines before changing them.
3) Price - probably. A TTV6 Lexus IS350 might increase the cost of the vehicle too much for what it is. I think they'll run the TTV6 in the IS-F before the regular IS gets it.

The Lexus IS will be successful regardless. The 2014 Lexus IS sold the same nearly the same amount of cars as the 2006 Lexus IS - and Lexus recycled the engines for the 2014 model year. In perspective - the engines were about 8 years old and still sold. This is why I think Toyota might just project a "IDC attitude" and just recycle it.

carguy420
They better not detune the TT V6 for the IS.
The issue here is - they have to detune the engine. If they keep the same engine specs from the LS, it'll be a 400+HP IS. That might push the starting price of a 400HP IS to over 50K - with options that would probably hit 60K. That makes the car 4K or less away from the start price of a RC-F and they still need to leave room for a IS-F slot. This is why I think the IS-F might return in the 4G with the TTV6.
S
CT2IS
No way Lexus is keeping the current 8AR-FTS and current V6 for the 4IS. These engines are extremely underwhelming even as of 2016. The 4IS would fall flat on its face at launch.

My take is Lexus will launch with a new redesigned turbo 4 (or at least HIGHLY revised--there's some strong deliberate de-tuning in the current one) and a scaled down/detuned TT V6 (probably through software) from the LS to push out around 330 hp.

The 4IS will have to lose at least 150-200 lbs to be successful.
Yes - in terms for car enthusiasts - it will fall flat on its face. But in terms of the "bean-counters" and Toyota corporate - it'll make 100% sense to recycle the engine. And 100% I hope they don't either but the business-perspective side of me know they will.

Why do I think they will recycle the engine?
1) Firstly - Toyota is slow as hell in terms of changing things up. Evidence of this is the IS250/IS350 engine from the 2G IS made it into the 3G IS. That shows Toyota has no problem with recycling engines.
2) The 8AR was first introduced in 2015 and the 2GR-FKS was also introduced in 2015. That's still "fairly" new. Toyota will want to max the use of these engines before changing them.
3) Price - probably. A TTV6 Lexus IS350 might increase the cost of the vehicle too much for what it is. I think they'll run the TTV6 in the IS-F before the regular IS gets it.

The Lexus IS will be successful regardless. The 2014 Lexus IS sold the same nearly the same amount of cars as the 2006 Lexus IS - and Lexus recycled the engines for the 2014 model year. In perspective - the engines were about 8 years old and still sold. This is why I think Toyota might just project a "IDC attitude" and just recycle it.

carguy420
They better not detune the TT V6 for the IS.
The issue here is - they have to detune the engine. If they keep the same engine specs from the LS, it'll be a 400+HP IS. That might push the starting price of a 400HP IS to over 50K - with options that would probably hit 60K. That makes the car 4K or less away from the start price of a RC-F and they still need to leave room for a IS-F slot. This is why I think the IS-F might return in the 4G with the TTV6.
S
CT2IS
No way Lexus is keeping the current 8AR-FTS and current V6 for the 4IS. These engines are extremely underwhelming even as of 2016. The 4IS would fall flat on its face at launch.

My take is Lexus will launch with a new redesigned turbo 4 (or at least HIGHLY revised--there's some strong deliberate de-tuning in the current one) and a scaled down/detuned TT V6 (probably through software) from the LS to push out around 330 hp.

The 4IS will have to lose at least 150-200 lbs to be successful.
Yes - in terms for car enthusiasts - it will fall flat on its face. But in terms of the "bean-counters" and Toyota corporate - it'll make 100% sense to recycle the engine. And 100% I hope they don't either but the business-perspective side of me know they will.

Why do I think they will recycle the engine?
1) Firstly - Toyota is slow as hell in terms of changing things up. Evidence of this is the IS250/IS350 engine from the 2G IS made it into the 3G IS. That shows Toyota has no problem with recycling engines.
2) The 8AR was first introduced in 2015 and the 2GR-FKS was also introduced in 2015. That's still "fairly" new. Toyota will want to max the use of these engines before changing them.
3) Price - probably. A TTV6 Lexus IS350 might increase the cost of the vehicle too much for what it is. I think they'll run the TTV6 in the IS-F before the regular IS gets it.

The Lexus IS will be successful regardless. The 2014 Lexus IS sold the same nearly the same amount of cars as the 2006 Lexus IS - and Lexus recycled the engines for the 2014 model year. In perspective - the engines were about 8 years old and still sold. This is why I think Toyota might just project a "IDC attitude" and just recycle it.

carguy420
They better not detune the TT V6 for the IS.
The issue here is - they have to detune the engine. If they keep the same engine specs from the LS, it'll be a 400+HP IS. That might push the starting price of a 400HP IS to over 50K - with options that would probably hit 60K. That makes the car 4K or less away from the start price of a RC-F and they still need to leave room for a IS-F slot. This is why I think the IS-F might return in the 4G with the TTV6.
S
CT2IS
No way Lexus is keeping the current 8AR-FTS and current V6 for the 4IS. These engines are extremely underwhelming even as of 2016. The 4IS would fall flat on its face at launch.

My take is Lexus will launch with a new redesigned turbo 4 (or at least HIGHLY revised--there's some strong deliberate de-tuning in the current one) and a scaled down/detuned TT V6 (probably through software) from the LS to push out around 330 hp.

The 4IS will have to lose at least 150-200 lbs to be successful.
8AR-FTS with new transmission and revisions might fit GA well... i dont think it or GR are going anywhere as base engines.

As to the weight, who knows... i doubt it will be significant loss if any.
S
CT2IS
No way Lexus is keeping the current 8AR-FTS and current V6 for the 4IS. These engines are extremely underwhelming even as of 2016. The 4IS would fall flat on its face at launch.

My take is Lexus will launch with a new redesigned turbo 4 (or at least HIGHLY revised--there's some strong deliberate de-tuning in the current one) and a scaled down/detuned TT V6 (probably through software) from the LS to push out around 330 hp.

The 4IS will have to lose at least 150-200 lbs to be successful.
8AR-FTS with new transmission and revisions might fit GA well... i dont think it or GR are going anywhere as base engines.

As to the weight, who knows... i doubt it will be significant loss if any.
S
CT2IS
No way Lexus is keeping the current 8AR-FTS and current V6 for the 4IS. These engines are extremely underwhelming even as of 2016. The 4IS would fall flat on its face at launch.

My take is Lexus will launch with a new redesigned turbo 4 (or at least HIGHLY revised--there's some strong deliberate de-tuning in the current one) and a scaled down/detuned TT V6 (probably through software) from the LS to push out around 330 hp.

The 4IS will have to lose at least 150-200 lbs to be successful.
8AR-FTS with new transmission and revisions might fit GA well... i dont think it or GR are going anywhere as base engines.

As to the weight, who knows... i doubt it will be significant loss if any.
S
CT2IS
No way Lexus is keeping the current 8AR-FTS and current V6 for the 4IS. These engines are extremely underwhelming even as of 2016. The 4IS would fall flat on its face at launch.

My take is Lexus will launch with a new redesigned turbo 4 (or at least HIGHLY revised--there's some strong deliberate de-tuning in the current one) and a scaled down/detuned TT V6 (probably through software) from the LS to push out around 330 hp.

The 4IS will have to lose at least 150-200 lbs to be successful.
8AR-FTS with new transmission and revisions might fit GA well... i dont think it or GR are going anywhere as base engines.

As to the weight, who knows... i doubt it will be significant loss if any.
S
CT2IS
No way Lexus is keeping the current 8AR-FTS and current V6 for the 4IS. These engines are extremely underwhelming even as of 2016. The 4IS would fall flat on its face at launch.

My take is Lexus will launch with a new redesigned turbo 4 (or at least HIGHLY revised--there's some strong deliberate de-tuning in the current one) and a scaled down/detuned TT V6 (probably through software) from the LS to push out around 330 hp.

The 4IS will have to lose at least 150-200 lbs to be successful.
8AR-FTS with new transmission and revisions might fit GA well... i dont think it or GR are going anywhere as base engines.

As to the weight, who knows... i doubt it will be significant loss if any.
S
CT2IS
No way Lexus is keeping the current 8AR-FTS and current V6 for the 4IS. These engines are extremely underwhelming even as of 2016. The 4IS would fall flat on its face at launch.

My take is Lexus will launch with a new redesigned turbo 4 (or at least HIGHLY revised--there's some strong deliberate de-tuning in the current one) and a scaled down/detuned TT V6 (probably through software) from the LS to push out around 330 hp.

The 4IS will have to lose at least 150-200 lbs to be successful.
8AR-FTS with new transmission and revisions might fit GA well... i dont think it or GR are going anywhere as base engines.

As to the weight, who knows... i doubt it will be significant loss if any.
Gecko
GA-L has been a pretty heavy platform in the case of LC and LS... I wouldn't expect it to shave much off IS. Hopefully they can have the car remain under 4k lbs.
Gecko
GA-L has been a pretty heavy platform in the case of LC and LS... I wouldn't expect it to shave much off IS. Hopefully they can have the car remain under 4k lbs.
Gecko
GA-L has been a pretty heavy platform in the case of LC and LS... I wouldn't expect it to shave much off IS. Hopefully they can have the car remain under 4k lbs.
Gecko
GA-L has been a pretty heavy platform in the case of LC and LS... I wouldn't expect it to shave much off IS. Hopefully they can have the car remain under 4k lbs.
Gecko
GA-L has been a pretty heavy platform in the case of LC and LS... I wouldn't expect it to shave much off IS. Hopefully they can have the car remain under 4k lbs.
Gecko
GA-L has been a pretty heavy platform in the case of LC and LS... I wouldn't expect it to shave much off IS. Hopefully they can have the car remain under 4k lbs.
S
Gecko
GA-L has been a pretty heavy platform in the case of LC and LS... I wouldn't expect it to shave much off IS. Hopefully they can have the car remain under 4k lbs.
4k lbs is too heavy to compete in this segment. The new 330i weights just below 3600 lbs.
A smaller platform derived from GA-L is needed.
S
Gecko
GA-L has been a pretty heavy platform in the case of LC and LS... I wouldn't expect it to shave much off IS. Hopefully they can have the car remain under 4k lbs.
4k lbs is too heavy to compete in this segment. The new 330i weights just below 3600 lbs.
A smaller platform derived from GA-L is needed.
S
Gecko
GA-L has been a pretty heavy platform in the case of LC and LS... I wouldn't expect it to shave much off IS. Hopefully they can have the car remain under 4k lbs.
4k lbs is too heavy to compete in this segment. The new 330i weights just below 3600 lbs.
A smaller platform derived from GA-L is needed.
S
Gecko
GA-L has been a pretty heavy platform in the case of LC and LS... I wouldn't expect it to shave much off IS. Hopefully they can have the car remain under 4k lbs.
4k lbs is too heavy to compete in this segment. The new 330i weights just below 3600 lbs.
A smaller platform derived from GA-L is needed.
S
Gecko
GA-L has been a pretty heavy platform in the case of LC and LS... I wouldn't expect it to shave much off IS. Hopefully they can have the car remain under 4k lbs.
4k lbs is too heavy to compete in this segment. The new 330i weights just below 3600 lbs.
A smaller platform derived from GA-L is needed.
S
Gecko
GA-L has been a pretty heavy platform in the case of LC and LS... I wouldn't expect it to shave much off IS. Hopefully they can have the car remain under 4k lbs.
4k lbs is too heavy to compete in this segment. The new 330i weights just below 3600 lbs.
A smaller platform derived from GA-L is needed.
G
sl0519
4k lbs is too heavy to compete in this segment. The new 330i weights just below 3600 lbs.
A smaller platform derived from GA-L is needed.
What about GA-N?
G
sl0519
4k lbs is too heavy to compete in this segment. The new 330i weights just below 3600 lbs.
A smaller platform derived from GA-L is needed.
What about GA-N?
G
sl0519
4k lbs is too heavy to compete in this segment. The new 330i weights just below 3600 lbs.
A smaller platform derived from GA-L is needed.
What about GA-N?
G
sl0519
4k lbs is too heavy to compete in this segment. The new 330i weights just below 3600 lbs.
A smaller platform derived from GA-L is needed.
What about GA-N?
G
sl0519
4k lbs is too heavy to compete in this segment. The new 330i weights just below 3600 lbs.
A smaller platform derived from GA-L is needed.
What about GA-N?
G
sl0519
4k lbs is too heavy to compete in this segment. The new 330i weights just below 3600 lbs.
A smaller platform derived from GA-L is needed.
What about GA-N?
Gecko
If I recall correctly, LC wheelbase is almost identical to the current IS. The V8 would be theoretically heavier than an I4 or V6, but with all of the focus on rigidity and safety, it may be true that GA-L is just a fairly heavy platform... at least in the versions we've seen so far.

LC is generally around 4,300lbs I think? IS would be 2 more doors, probably less sound deadening, less premium materials, no V8. It won't surprise me to see the IS around 3,900-4k lbs.
Gecko
If I recall correctly, LC wheelbase is almost identical to the current IS. The V8 would be theoretically heavier than an I4 or V6, but with all of the focus on rigidity and safety, it may be true that GA-L is just a fairly heavy platform... at least in the versions we've seen so far.

LC is generally around 4,300lbs I think? IS would be 2 more doors, probably less sound deadening, less premium materials, no V8. It won't surprise me to see the IS around 3,900-4k lbs.
Gecko
If I recall correctly, LC wheelbase is almost identical to the current IS. The V8 would be theoretically heavier than an I4 or V6, but with all of the focus on rigidity and safety, it may be true that GA-L is just a fairly heavy platform... at least in the versions we've seen so far.

LC is generally around 4,300lbs I think? IS would be 2 more doors, probably less sound deadening, less premium materials, no V8. It won't surprise me to see the IS around 3,900-4k lbs.

G