[car fanatics]

Source
Photo credit: Lexus
July 6, 2012
By: CF staff

Unlike its German rivals, the IS's exterior will be more than just a shrunken version of its bigger brother, according to a Lexus insider. Distinguishing features over its ageing predecessor include a wider, more aggressive stance, a sleeker profile and the most radical iteration of the company's new ''spindle'' grille to date, as our artist's rendering shows.

The corporate marketing manager at Lexus Australia, Peter Evans, recently told Drive the Japanese luxury brand couldn't afford a gentle evolution of its popular IS midsize sedan.

''When you're a challenger brand and you're No.4 [in sales], you can't afford to be evolutionary.''

[McLovin]

I have heard that one before.

[REVolution]

It can't happen soon enough for Lexus. The BMW and Audi and maybe soon to be ATS will take considerable market share.

[redsky]

i heard they will be using FRS chassis for next gen IS.

[REVolution]

Really? Subaru is cool with that?

[redsky]

The rights are owned by Toyota...

[All-Or-Nothing]

Next IS is gonna be SEXY

[Speed Devil]

If they're using the toyobaru platform, whose to say they won't use a (heavily detuned and refined ) 2.5t boxster from the rex (and sti 6spd/-F 8spd) to entice people away from the other competitors

I doubt it'd happen, but imagine the scooby fans who see this and decide to go for it. IS300 was a lux tuner, why couldn't this new 250 be one too?

[REVolution]

Why on Earth would Lexus do such a thing?

[Gixser995]

I highly doubt they would use the FR-S platform.

Also, with Lexus serious about making some sporty cars, this could be a great car.

[Speed Devil]

2.5t 4banger that might get a smaller turbo and be designed towards efficiency while being semi-unique, and yet anyone who wants to tune it can simply build it right back up, 6spd for rwd, 8spd for both rw&awd

Don't see how it could go wrong if they execute it right

[The 'Burg]

Speed Devil;216599 Wrote:2.5t 4banger that might get a smaller turbo and be designed towards efficiency while being semi-unique, and yet anyone who wants to tune it can simply build it right back up, 6spd for rwd, 8spd for both rw&awd

Don't see how it could go wrong if they execute it right

Where they go wrong is in the "refinement" category. Subaru's flat-four is a great engine but it is not as refined as a proper Lexus mill - and not everybody is going to tune this car. Also, the flat-4 is a thirstier engine than a comparable inline-4. It really wouldn't make much sense.

Toyota will use the 3.5 six and probably a turbo inline 4. Turbocharging the 2.4 4-cyl makes a whole lot more sense.

[The Voice of Doom]

The IS has always had the potential to be a player. In fact, the first-gen one was a genuinely cool car. But for whatever reason, Lexus decided to make it more LS400-ish. The resulting car wasn't completely out to lunch like the FWD ES, but there was something missing. Just hope they don't go overboard with the grille.

[REVolution]

The 3.5L V6 from the GS will be the top engine, and a hybrid layout is an option. Apparently it might be on a smaller GS platform instead of the Subaru platform.

Source

[All-Or-Nothing]

The Toyobaru platform will DEFINATELY not be used.