It’s now Motor Trend’s turn to weigh in on the 2021 Lexus IS sedan. They broadly agree with Mag-X that we’ll see a second facelift on the current IS instead of a next-generation model.
Motor Trend reports the updated IS will receive an exterior refresh alongside an upgraded chassis, a thoroughly reworked suspension, a more luxurious interior with reworked dashboard and an updated infotainment system. Powertrain options would remain unchanged.
On the subject of the IS 500, however, Motor Trend states that “Lexus product planners are still deciding if this model makes sense, so you definitely won’t see it at launch”. Should the IS 500 come to fruition, Motor Trend believes it would use the LS 500’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 rather than the 5-liter V8 suggested by Mag-X. There is still no IS 500 trademark in the USA as of this writing.
(Although this extensive IS refresh could conceivably debut during the rescheduled New York Auto Show in late August, a standalone virtual online reveal during the summer seems more likely.)
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