Next-Generation Lexus IS Sedan to be Offered with BMW Inline-Six Turbo Engine?

Posted by Kevin on February 18th, 2019

Best Car Magazine in Japan is reporting that the next-generation Lexus IS sedan will be offered with the same BMW Inline-6 turbo engine that powers the all-new Toyota Supra.

The I6 engine, which is rated at 335 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque in the Supra, would be one of four engines for the Lexus sedan — a 2.0L turbo, 2.4L turbo, and 2.5L hybrid engine would also be available based on region.

Lexus IS Next-Generation Rear

Best Car also reports that the IS is unlikely to change in size, and will weigh approximately 3,395 lbs. For referenece, the current IS tips the scales at 3,737 lbs.

(Finally, the magazine reiterates the rumor that a next-generation IS F sedan will be resurrected with the twin-turbo V6 engine from the LS flagship.)

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Comments
joepac
CT2IS
Lexus has some serious catching up to do if it wants to compete with the upcoming 0-60 in 4.2s G20 340i.
This is where I hope they would inject a "Pre-F" Is400 model but as has been pointed out, given Lexus' mindset, this ain't gon' happen.

They'll prob make an IS-F as the next tier up which will be on par with the 340i and the M3/C AMG/QF et.al will go uncontested by Lexus... Again.

But again it is apparent Lexus' MO does not include a serious commitment to performance outside of sporadically injecting F badged cars with limited performance that took almost a decade to develop. But hey, theyre reliable.
joepac
CT2IS
Lexus has some serious catching up to do if it wants to compete with the upcoming 0-60 in 4.2s G20 340i.
This is where I hope they would inject a "Pre-F" Is400 model but as has been pointed out, given Lexus' mindset, this ain't gon' happen.

They'll prob make an IS-F as the next tier up which will be on par with the 340i and the M3/C AMG/QF et.al will go uncontested by Lexus... Again.

But again it is apparent Lexus' MO does not include a serious commitment to performance outside of sporadically injecting F badged cars with limited performance that took almost a decade to develop. But hey, theyre reliable.
CIF
  • CIF
    CIF
  • October 11, 2018
CT2IS
Remember... Lexus thinks BMW powertrains are so great, they chose the BMW 4-turbo and BMW 6-turbo instead of using their own powerplants for the new Supra. Even chief Lexus engineer said he was impressed with BMW engineering during the new Supra/Z4 collab.
We don't know the full story about the MK5 Supra yet....

With that said, let me add the whole story regarding what Toyota thinks of BMW engineering. During their shared meetings before Supra/Z4 development started, Toyota was impressed with some aspects of BMW engineering and R&D and appalled at other aspects. The reverse scenario also occurred, because simply put BMW and Toyota corporate cultures are radically different.
CIF
  • CIF
    CIF
  • October 11, 2018
CT2IS
Remember... Lexus thinks BMW powertrains are so great, they chose the BMW 4-turbo and BMW 6-turbo instead of using their own powerplants for the new Supra. Even chief Lexus engineer said he was impressed with BMW engineering during the new Supra/Z4 collab.
We don't know the full story about the MK5 Supra yet....

With that said, let me add the whole story regarding what Toyota thinks of BMW engineering. During their shared meetings before Supra/Z4 development started, Toyota was impressed with some aspects of BMW engineering and R&D and appalled at other aspects. The reverse scenario also occurred, because simply put BMW and Toyota corporate cultures are radically different.
joepac
CIF
We don't know the full story about the MK5 Supra yet....

With that said, let me add the whole story regarding what Toyota thinks of BMW engineering. During their shared meetings before Supra/Z4 development started, Toyota was impressed with some aspects of BMW engineering and R&D and appalled at other aspects. The reverse scenario also occurred, because simply put BMW and Toyota corporate cultures are radically different.
Anyone got a link to this article? Sounds interesting.
joepac
CIF
We don't know the full story about the MK5 Supra yet....

With that said, let me add the whole story regarding what Toyota thinks of BMW engineering. During their shared meetings before Supra/Z4 development started, Toyota was impressed with some aspects of BMW engineering and R&D and appalled at other aspects. The reverse scenario also occurred, because simply put BMW and Toyota corporate cultures are radically different.
Anyone got a link to this article? Sounds interesting.
Joaquin Ruhi
joepac
Anyone got a link to this article? Sounds interesting.
It's somewhere in the last 4 or 5 pages of the Mk5 Supra thread on these forums.
Joaquin Ruhi
joepac
Anyone got a link to this article? Sounds interesting.
It's somewhere in the last 4 or 5 pages of the Mk5 Supra thread on these forums.
Gecko
CT2IS
Remember... Lexus thinks BMW powertrains are so great, they chose the BMW 4-turbo and BMW 6-turbo instead of using their own powerplants for the new Supra. Even chief Lexus engineer said he was impressed with BMW engineering during the new Supra/Z4 collab.
Just to be clear, this isn't really true. The main reason Toyota chose BMW as a partner to build the Supra is that BMW had an off-the-shelf I6 design which is true to the heritage of the Supra. Building a one-off I6 for a low volume sports car makes zero sense - it was a business decision. Now, plenty of folks have feelings about a BMW engine inside Toyota's most legendary sports car - myself included - but this decision wasn't, "Oh, BMW builds better engines than we do. Let's use them for the Supra."

Quite frankly, if they hadn't wanted to stay true to the heritage of an I6, V35A-FTS would have been a kick-ass engine for the Supra. I really wish they'd gone that route, actually.

416hp/442lb-ft of torque in a 3,200lb car? Yeeeeah. I'll take it!
Gecko
CT2IS
Remember... Lexus thinks BMW powertrains are so great, they chose the BMW 4-turbo and BMW 6-turbo instead of using their own powerplants for the new Supra. Even chief Lexus engineer said he was impressed with BMW engineering during the new Supra/Z4 collab.
Just to be clear, this isn't really true. The main reason Toyota chose BMW as a partner to build the Supra is that BMW had an off-the-shelf I6 design which is true to the heritage of the Supra. Building a one-off I6 for a low volume sports car makes zero sense - it was a business decision. Now, plenty of folks have feelings about a BMW engine inside Toyota's most legendary sports car - myself included - but this decision wasn't, "Oh, BMW builds better engines than we do. Let's use them for the Supra."

Quite frankly, if they hadn't wanted to stay true to the heritage of an I6, V35A-FTS would have been a kick-ass engine for the Supra. I really wish they'd gone that route, actually.

416hp/442lb-ft of torque in a 3,200lb car? Yeeeeah. I'll take it!
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:
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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. :)
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.
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.
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!
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).
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).
Trexus
internalaudit
I am hoping Carmaker1 is correct in that two hybrid versions are going to be offered for the next gen IS. I definitely will not want to finance a new car that isn't a hybrid, PHEV or BEV.

Of course if I go used, then I won't mind a pure ICEV as I've already saved enough on depreciation alone.
That would be very awesome to have two IS hybrids and an EV version as well. Lexus should have brought the IS 300h a long time ago to North America to increase it's hybrid presence in the Lexus line-up.

IS 300h (2AR-FSE)
IS 450h (2GR-FXS)
IS 300e (EV version)
Trexus
internalaudit
I am hoping Carmaker1 is correct in that two hybrid versions are going to be offered for the next gen IS. I definitely will not want to finance a new car that isn't a hybrid, PHEV or BEV.

Of course if I go used, then I won't mind a pure ICEV as I've already saved enough on depreciation alone.
That would be very awesome to have two IS hybrids and an EV version as well. Lexus should have brought the IS 300h a long time ago to North America to increase it's hybrid presence in the Lexus line-up.

IS 300h (2AR-FSE)
IS 450h (2GR-FXS)
IS 300e (EV version)
G
Trexus
That would be very awesome to have two IS hybrids and an EV version as well. Lexus should have brought the IS 300h a long time ago to North America to increase it's hybrid presence in the Lexus line-up.

IS 300h (2AR-FSE)
IS 450h (2GR-FXS)
IS 300e (EV version)
Speaking of which, @Carmaker1 was supposed to have shared some tidbit about the 4IS back on Sept 23 :)
G
Trexus
That would be very awesome to have two IS hybrids and an EV version as well. Lexus should have brought the IS 300h a long time ago to North America to increase it's hybrid presence in the Lexus line-up.

IS 300h (2AR-FSE)
IS 450h (2GR-FXS)
IS 300e (EV version)
Speaking of which, @Carmaker1 was supposed to have shared some tidbit about the 4IS back on Sept 23 :)

G