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
Will1991
spwolf
residual value is because they start very expensive... same as Audi/BMW/MB.

As to the ES, at least it is cheaper than IS for you... for us there in Europe, ES300h is $10k more expensive than IS300h, depending on taxes.
Here in Portugal base IS300h vs base ES300h, second one is almost +20.000€ :sob:
Will1991
spwolf
residual value is because they start very expensive... same as Audi/BMW/MB.

As to the ES, at least it is cheaper than IS for you... for us there in Europe, ES300h is $10k more expensive than IS300h, depending on taxes.
Here in Portugal base IS300h vs base ES300h, second one is almost +20.000€ :sob:
S
joepac
And maybe bring back real leather too.
I'll never understand why Lexus (Luxury Exportation for United States) denies their reference market luxurious features like these, something you would expect from a premium car.

I mean, here in Italy where Lexus are rare things we can have real leather as standard on higher trims or optional on every single model, also NuLuxe simply doesn't exist or equips only one specific high value for money trim per model (for example the so called limited edition/sport edition/black street/etc..) since it is replaced by "Tahara leather" (fake leather). Maybe it's NuLuxe with another name after all.

What I definitely understand is that Toyota makes insane and unexplicable choices even outside Europe, so I feel kind of relieved. :laughing:
S
joepac
And maybe bring back real leather too.
I'll never understand why Lexus (Luxury Exportation for United States) denies their reference market luxurious features like these, something you would expect from a premium car.

I mean, here in Italy where Lexus are rare things we can have real leather as standard on higher trims or optional on every single model, also NuLuxe simply doesn't exist or equips only one specific high value for money trim per model (for example the so called limited edition/sport edition/black street/etc..) since it is replaced by "Tahara leather" (fake leather). Maybe it's NuLuxe with another name after all.

What I definitely understand is that Toyota makes insane and unexplicable choices even outside Europe, so I feel kind of relieved. :laughing:
S
Sadman
I'll never understand why Lexus (Luxury Exportation for United States) denies their reference market luxurious features like these, something you would expect from a premium car.

I mean, here in Italy where Lexus are rare things we can have real leather as standard on higher trims or optional on every single model, also NuLuxe simply doesn't exist or equips only one specific high value for money trim per model (for example the so called limited edition/sport edition/black street/etc..) since it is replaced by "Tahara leather" (fake leather). Maybe it's NuLuxe with another name after all.

What I definitely understand is that Toyota makes insane and unexplicable choices even outside Europe, so I feel kind of relieved. :laughing:
Tahara = NuLuxe.
S
Sadman
I'll never understand why Lexus (Luxury Exportation for United States) denies their reference market luxurious features like these, something you would expect from a premium car.

I mean, here in Italy where Lexus are rare things we can have real leather as standard on higher trims or optional on every single model, also NuLuxe simply doesn't exist or equips only one specific high value for money trim per model (for example the so called limited edition/sport edition/black street/etc..) since it is replaced by "Tahara leather" (fake leather). Maybe it's NuLuxe with another name after all.

What I definitely understand is that Toyota makes insane and unexplicable choices even outside Europe, so I feel kind of relieved. :laughing:
Tahara = NuLuxe.
I
I'm okay with NuLuxe if it means no TLC necessary. Leather is too cold during winter and too hot during summer. Sometimes I even prefer fabric seating because of that.
I
I'm okay with NuLuxe if it means no TLC necessary. Leather is too cold during winter and too hot during summer. Sometimes I even prefer fabric seating because of that.
T
Why not wool? Apparently that's a thing in Japan, at least on the Century.
T
Why not wool? Apparently that's a thing in Japan, at least on the Century.
Ian Schmidt
Wool has a reputation in the US of making people itch. Even if you're OK with it, your passengers might not be.

Sadman
I'll never understand why Lexus (Luxury Exportation for United States) denies their reference market luxurious features like these, something you would expect from a premium car.
Team One insists "Lexus" is a legal-trouble-saving vowel swap from their originally chosen name "Lexis", and not an acronym.
Ian Schmidt
Wool has a reputation in the US of making people itch. Even if you're OK with it, your passengers might not be.

Sadman
I'll never understand why Lexus (Luxury Exportation for United States) denies their reference market luxurious features like these, something you would expect from a premium car.
Team One insists "Lexus" is a legal-trouble-saving vowel swap from their originally chosen name "Lexis", and not an acronym.
S
spwolf
Tahara = NuLuxe.
Ok thanks, I had the right intuition.

I would never ever buy a premium car equipped with mandatory fake leather when I can upgrade to real leather in non premium cars such as the Mazda 6 (Nappa leather) or Kia Stinger.

In my humble opinion it's a stupid marketing choice as they're probably doing this because they want to keep the final price "low", so being not forced to offer - like the German competition - multiple choices at the same time (cloth, fake leather, 5 grades of increasing quality leather, 3 grades of premium semi aniline leather, leather+alcantara, etc.) give them an edge, I suppose (?).

Then again, my mind can't process this fact that in Europe we can have an IS equipped with real Lexus high quality leather and the same car in the US can be had only with NuLuxe, which no matter what the marketing says it's still no real leather and therefore it's something cheap in a premium car.

Ian Schmidt
Team One insists "Lexus" is a legal-trouble-saving vowel swap from their originally chosen name "Lexis", and not an acronym.
I didn't know this, however the acronym still makes sense since the US is the reference market for the brand. :cool:
S
spwolf
Tahara = NuLuxe.
Ok thanks, I had the right intuition.

I would never ever buy a premium car equipped with mandatory fake leather when I can upgrade to real leather in non premium cars such as the Mazda 6 (Nappa leather) or Kia Stinger.

In my humble opinion it's a stupid marketing choice as they're probably doing this because they want to keep the final price "low", so being not forced to offer - like the German competition - multiple choices at the same time (cloth, fake leather, 5 grades of increasing quality leather, 3 grades of premium semi aniline leather, leather+alcantara, etc.) give them an edge, I suppose (?).

Then again, my mind can't process this fact that in Europe we can have an IS equipped with real Lexus high quality leather and the same car in the US can be had only with NuLuxe, which no matter what the marketing says it's still no real leather and therefore it's something cheap in a premium car.

Ian Schmidt
Team One insists "Lexus" is a legal-trouble-saving vowel swap from their originally chosen name "Lexis", and not an acronym.
I didn't know this, however the acronym still makes sense since the US is the reference market for the brand. :cool:
R
  • R
    RAL
  • January 22, 2019
Ian Schmidt
Team One insists "Lexus" is a legal-trouble-saving vowel swap from their originally chosen name "Lexis", and not an acronym.
According to the 'father' of Lexus, J Davis Illingworth, here is the story of how Flagship 1 (F1) got its' name. Alexis became Lexus ...

https://godofhope.net/2016/05/09/4-flagship-1-gets-name/
R
  • R
    RAL
  • January 22, 2019
Ian Schmidt
Team One insists "Lexus" is a legal-trouble-saving vowel swap from their originally chosen name "Lexis", and not an acronym.
According to the 'father' of Lexus, J Davis Illingworth, here is the story of how Flagship 1 (F1) got its' name. Alexis became Lexus ...

https://godofhope.net/2016/05/09/4-flagship-1-gets-name/
G
RAL
According to the 'father' of Lexus, J Davis Illingworth, here is the story of how Flagship 1 (F1) got its' name. Alexis became Lexus ...

https://godofhope.net/2016/05/09/4-flagship-1-gets-name/
This is so good, Alexis play RC-F Coupe.


(sorry... I couldn't resist)
G
RAL
According to the 'father' of Lexus, J Davis Illingworth, here is the story of how Flagship 1 (F1) got its' name. Alexis became Lexus ...

https://godofhope.net/2016/05/09/4-flagship-1-gets-name/
This is so good, Alexis play RC-F Coupe.


(sorry... I couldn't resist)
S
Sadman
Ok thanks, I had the right intuition.

I would never ever buy a premium car equipped with mandatory fake leather when I can upgrade to real leather in non premium cars such as the Mazda 6 (Nappa leather) or Kia Stinger.

It is indeed due to Toyota Production System where they are managing inventory better so low options get erased.
Honestly, I would do it like in the USA if it meant they could lower their prices in Europe :).
S
Sadman
Ok thanks, I had the right intuition.

I would never ever buy a premium car equipped with mandatory fake leather when I can upgrade to real leather in non premium cars such as the Mazda 6 (Nappa leather) or Kia Stinger.

It is indeed due to Toyota Production System where they are managing inventory better so low options get erased.
Honestly, I would do it like in the USA if it meant they could lower their prices in Europe :).
flexus
https://bestcarweb.jp/news/59056
For you who don't speak Japanese:
-Bestcar has heard rumors that IS will be equipped with I6 turbo by BMW.
-Toyota BMW co-operation will continue.
-They want to make IS more sportier
-Lexus is rearraging their sedan lineup
-Bodysize won't differ much and it will be build TNGA platform similar to Crown. FR layout.
-Base will be 2.5l hybrid also 2.0 turbo and newly engineered 2.4l turbo (maybe same as in new Legacy?)
-They will add I6 in between ISF and IS2.4T
-I6 same as in Supra different from M3
-Weight around 1540kg
-GR tuning of Lexus models
-5L V8 will be discontinued because of fuel insuffiency compared to german3
-ISF will have TTV6 same as in LS
-Next gen IS will be out in 2021 and IS F sport (I6) in 2022
Specs:
View attachment 3173
flexus
https://bestcarweb.jp/news/59056
For you who don't speak Japanese:
-Bestcar has heard rumors that IS will be equipped with I6 turbo by BMW.
-Toyota BMW co-operation will continue.
-They want to make IS more sportier
-Lexus is rearraging their sedan lineup
-Bodysize won't differ much and it will be build TNGA platform similar to Crown. FR layout.
-Base will be 2.5l hybrid also 2.0 turbo and newly engineered 2.4l turbo (maybe same as in new Legacy?)
-They will add I6 in between ISF and IS2.4T
-I6 same as in Supra different from M3
-Weight around 1540kg
-GR tuning of Lexus models
-5L V8 will be discontinued because of fuel insuffiency compared to german3
-ISF will have TTV6 same as in LS
-Next gen IS will be out in 2021 and IS F sport (I6) in 2022
Specs:
View attachment 3173
Will1991
BMW I6? That’s even more strange as IS F will be TTV6 from Lexus, a detuned version would be much better choice for Lexus...
Even BMW giving their engine to a direct competitor makes no sense.
Will1991
BMW I6? That’s even more strange as IS F will be TTV6 from Lexus, a detuned version would be much better choice for Lexus...
Even BMW giving their engine to a direct competitor makes no sense.
flexus
Will1991
BMW I6? That’s even more strange as IS F will be TTV6 from Lexus, a detuned version would be much better choice for Lexus...
Even BMW giving their engine to a direct competitor makes no sense.
It's just speculation. Other option is to put the engine into a Mark X GR. But definetely they are working more powerful model than IS350
flexus
Will1991
BMW I6? That’s even more strange as IS F will be TTV6 from Lexus, a detuned version would be much better choice for Lexus...
Even BMW giving their engine to a direct competitor makes no sense.
It's just speculation. Other option is to put the engine into a Mark X GR. But definetely they are working more powerful model than IS350
Gecko
Why would they need a 2.0T, 2.4T and 3.0T (especially sourced from BMW), then a 3.5L TT? This is making no sense to me and I hope the rumor of a BMW motor is dead wrong.

If Lexus starts using old BMW parts like Infiniti is using old Mercedes stuff, I will be fully "out" on this brand.
Gecko
Why would they need a 2.0T, 2.4T and 3.0T (especially sourced from BMW), then a 3.5L TT? This is making no sense to me and I hope the rumor of a BMW motor is dead wrong.

If Lexus starts using old BMW parts like Infiniti is using old Mercedes stuff, I will be fully "out" on this brand.
S
This just makes zero sense when they are investing in their own powertrain so heavily. Integrating a non-native Inline-6 motor which is going to a very small portion of vehicles is just not worth the extra effort (95% of sales are going to be turbo-4s and hybrids). It should be very clear to Lexus at this moment that everyone is abandoning the 'intermediate grade six cylinder' previously occupied by the IS350, 335i, and the likes. It's just not lucrative enough for the amount of effort. They are not selling at all in Europe and China, and they are losing to the more expensive 'performance lite' segment in US.

The speculators should have more common sense. They think this is as simple as doing aftermarket engine swaps. The Supra had to use a BMW motor just for the sake of 'legacy'. Then again 'rumors' said three years ago the Corolla is going to get a BMW I3.

Gecko
If Lexus starts using old BMW parts like Infiniti is using old Mercedes stuff, I will be fully "out" on this brand.
Lexus is obviously not in that situation. I don't know what led to Nissan's situation today, but their powertrain development has been so restricted in recent times. The VC-T is very impressive but the technology might simply not be cheap enough to spread across the lineup, forcing them to outsource their mainstream engines.
S
This just makes zero sense when they are investing in their own powertrain so heavily. Integrating a non-native Inline-6 motor which is going to a very small portion of vehicles is just not worth the extra effort (95% of sales are going to be turbo-4s and hybrids). It should be very clear to Lexus at this moment that everyone is abandoning the 'intermediate grade six cylinder' previously occupied by the IS350, 335i, and the likes. It's just not lucrative enough for the amount of effort. They are not selling at all in Europe and China, and they are losing to the more expensive 'performance lite' segment in US.

The speculators should have more common sense. They think this is as simple as doing aftermarket engine swaps. The Supra had to use a BMW motor just for the sake of 'legacy'. Then again 'rumors' said three years ago the Corolla is going to get a BMW I3.

Gecko
If Lexus starts using old BMW parts like Infiniti is using old Mercedes stuff, I will be fully "out" on this brand.
Lexus is obviously not in that situation. I don't know what led to Nissan's situation today, but their powertrain development has been so restricted in recent times. The VC-T is very impressive but the technology might simply not be cheap enough to spread across the lineup, forcing them to outsource their mainstream engines.

S