Next Lexus IS (updated with test mule,page4)......
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: A better place
The CT is a FWD hatchback.
The IS wagon would be RWD or AWD.
Hatchback and wagon, two different classes and categories.
Again, how is this any different than what the Germans are already offering in Europe?
Lexus Connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,892
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From: USA
The way Lexus needs to step up their game in this particular 3 Series dominated segment is to first offer a solid performing sedan and coupe. Then they should explore wagon and convertible variants based off the demand for the sedan and coupe. It's a really easy formula...but Lexus keeps trying to veer off into left field hoping everyone else will follow.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,285
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From: A better place
The way Lexus needs to step up their game in this particular 3 Series dominated segment is to first offer a solid performing sedan and coupe. Then they should explore wagon and convertible variants based off the demand for the sedan and coupe. It's a really easy formula...but Lexus keeps trying to veer off into left field hoping everyone else will follow.
Lexus Connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,892
Likes: 607
From: USA
I hope so. When I went to the HS/ISC Press Event last year, I was seated with the Chief Engineer for the ISC. He did tell me he was involved with the 3rd Generation IS. He asked me what I would like to see in the next round of IS. I told him exactly what we are discussing now...a great performing sedan and a real 2 door coupe.
Being an owner of both 1st and 2nd gen IS, there are many attributes of both cars that I like. So far Lexus has offered the Sport Cross and now the ISC...which in my opinion are nice cars, but they are certainly not what everyone wants. If Lexus offered a real 2 door coupe version for first and second gen IS, there would definitely be a lot more lookers from the Euro side of things.
Being an owner of both 1st and 2nd gen IS, there are many attributes of both cars that I like. So far Lexus has offered the Sport Cross and now the ISC...which in my opinion are nice cars, but they are certainly not what everyone wants. If Lexus offered a real 2 door coupe version for first and second gen IS, there would definitely be a lot more lookers from the Euro side of things.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,285
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From: A better place
I hope so. When I went to the HS/ISC Press Event last year, I was seated with the Chief Engineer for the ISC. He did tell me he was involved with the 3rd Generation IS. He asked me what I would like to see in the next round of IS. I told him exactly what we are discussing now...a great performing sedan and a real 2 door coupe.
Being an owner of both 1st and 2nd gen IS, there are many attributes of both cars that I like. So far Lexus has offered the Sport Cross and now the ISC...which in my opinion are nice cars, but they are certainly not what everyone wants. If Lexus offered a real 2 door coupe version for first and second gen IS, there would definitely be a lot more lookers from the Euro side of things.
Being an owner of both 1st and 2nd gen IS, there are many attributes of both cars that I like. So far Lexus has offered the Sport Cross and now the ISC...which in my opinion are nice cars, but they are certainly not what everyone wants. If Lexus offered a real 2 door coupe version for first and second gen IS, there would definitely be a lot more lookers from the Euro side of things.
.I wonder if potentially we might see an IS-F coupe? Now that surely would get more attention over in Europe as well I think.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: somewhere out there
Guys the CT is a foot shorter than the IS and n no way would an IS wagon and CT hatchback compete. look at Audi they have the A3 hatchback and they have an A4 Avant, plus an A6 Avant. BMW has the 1 series hatchback, plus a 3 series and 5 series wagon. On top of all that BMW is adding new "grand tourer" mega hatchback to the 3 and 5 series. Europeans love hatchback/wagons and the more the merrier.
YES, the next IS will be hybrid only in Europe. This has been discussed time and time again here. In Europe they have an entry level 4 cylinder diesel IS, and Lexus Europe is going to replace the entry level I4 diesel with an entry level hybrid IS. They will probably also have a higher powered hybrid IS as well.
My thinking is that the entry level hybrid will be an I4 hybrid similar to the CT/HS drivetrain and the higher powered one will be either a 2.5L V6 or 3.5L V6 hybrid.
The CT line will be hybrid only and be the entry line of Lexus in Europe.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,227
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From: somewhere out there
The way Lexus needs to step up their game in this particular 3 Series dominated segment is to first offer a solid performing sedan and coupe. Then they should explore wagon and convertible variants based off the demand for the sedan and coupe. It's a really easy formula...but Lexus keeps trying to veer off into left field hoping everyone else will follow.
I'm really surprised Lexus didn't tackle the much larger Coupe market before entering the niche convertible segment. At the time the IS-C was probably in development (in the 2006 timeframe) Infiniti was selling an easy 2-3K G Coupes a month.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: A better place
In order to be successful in Europe as a foreign brand you need to offer something REALLY unique.
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: San Francisco, CA
When the hell was the CT and IS even in the same class
