Next-Gen Lexus IS
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,206
Likes: 253
Pretty cool rendering. Other than its bubble roof, I'd smash that. 
Not the first time Ive heard of the Ft86 chassis rumor, but is it really possible? I mean it seems like a hell of a lot of modification to make it work. I strongly believe that they may find a better balance using a modified GS platform.
Not the first time Ive heard of the Ft86 chassis rumor, but is it really possible? I mean it seems like a hell of a lot of modification to make it work. I strongly believe that they may find a better balance using a modified GS platform.
But good news is probably the fact that GS is expecting 300h model next year, and it will probably go into IS300h right from the start...
They should also make IS450h if you ask me... so two hybrids.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
Likes: 105
From: Waiting for next track day
I am surprised that the current generation has gone this long. Its took Lexus as long to redesign the IS as it did for Lambo to release the Aventador. Although the IS is still competitive in its respective class, its a bit long in the tooth
Moderator
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,330
Likes: 57
From: California
An IS hybrid will sell but not as many as an ES hybrid due to the fact the ES has always outsold the IS. The ES is larger and targeted for older folks and families.
Lexus could do alot with the IS by expanding into various variants in the U.S and worldwide:
IS 200d (Europe)
IS 300h Sedan/Coupe
IS 250/350 Sedan
IS 250/350 Convertible
IS 250/350 Coupe
IS 250/350 Wagon
IS F
And just maybe the IS can finally outsell the ES...
Lexus could do alot with the IS by expanding into various variants in the U.S and worldwide:
IS 200d (Europe)
IS 300h Sedan/Coupe
IS 250/350 Sedan
IS 250/350 Convertible
IS 250/350 Coupe
IS 250/350 Wagon
IS F
And just maybe the IS can finally outsell the ES...
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,988
Likes: 81
From: Southeastern PA
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,206
Likes: 253
An IS hybrid will sell but not as many as an ES hybrid due to the fact the ES has always outsold the IS. The ES is larger and targeted for older folks and families.
Lexus could do alot with the IS by expanding into various variants in the U.S and worldwide:
IS 200d (Europe)
IS 300h Sedan/Coupe
IS 250/350 Sedan
IS 250/350 Convertible
IS 250/350 Coupe
IS 250/350 Wagon
IS F
And just maybe the IS can finally outsell the ES...
Lexus could do alot with the IS by expanding into various variants in the U.S and worldwide:
IS 200d (Europe)
IS 300h Sedan/Coupe
IS 250/350 Sedan
IS 250/350 Convertible
IS 250/350 Coupe
IS 250/350 Wagon
IS F
And just maybe the IS can finally outsell the ES...
))))
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
The 3.5L carrying over is fine, as is a 2.5L hybrid, but they really need to replace the 2.5L 4GR-FSE with something better. How bout the 3GR-FSE 3.0L with 250hp/230tq? That would be competitive with BMW, and so long as they tune it for very nice torque in the low-end to mid-range it would be able to pull the extra tall overdrive gears and get some pretty good mileage too. Lexus has been "pulling Hondas" with their engines biasing them way too much towards the top end, which compromises throttle response and torque at the low-end along with the ability to pull tall OD gears for good mileage.
The IS250 got punked when the BMW E90 325i came out in 2006, which was actually a 3.0L engine. Despite being rated similarly, it put out a lot more power than the little 4GR did. And then they one-upped them again with the 328i in 2007 which just up-tuned it to 230hp/200tq (rated a bit conservatively as BMWs usually are). Lexus has never responded to this, and they need to. In fact I'm shocked they didn't update the 2IS to IS300 trim sometime in its lifecycle. A 250hp/230tq IS300 with a 6 speed manual would be a great drivers car with all the power you really need. More than a few BMW fans are upset about them dropping the naturally aspirated Inline-6 in favor of the turbo 4-cylinder too, so the fact that Lexus would have a nicely tuned 3.0L NA engine to offer with good sound and refinement and throttle response would be something to entice disaffected BMW fans with.
BTW it needs to be bigger. My 6'3" carcass can fit fine "sitting behind myself" in the new F30 3-series. The 2IS is tiny in comparison, and Lexus has other lower level offerings now, so the IS can get a tad bigger.
The IS250 got punked when the BMW E90 325i came out in 2006, which was actually a 3.0L engine. Despite being rated similarly, it put out a lot more power than the little 4GR did. And then they one-upped them again with the 328i in 2007 which just up-tuned it to 230hp/200tq (rated a bit conservatively as BMWs usually are). Lexus has never responded to this, and they need to. In fact I'm shocked they didn't update the 2IS to IS300 trim sometime in its lifecycle. A 250hp/230tq IS300 with a 6 speed manual would be a great drivers car with all the power you really need. More than a few BMW fans are upset about them dropping the naturally aspirated Inline-6 in favor of the turbo 4-cylinder too, so the fact that Lexus would have a nicely tuned 3.0L NA engine to offer with good sound and refinement and throttle response would be something to entice disaffected BMW fans with.
BTW it needs to be bigger. My 6'3" carcass can fit fine "sitting behind myself" in the new F30 3-series. The 2IS is tiny in comparison, and Lexus has other lower level offerings now, so the IS can get a tad bigger.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,206
Likes: 253
The 3.5L carrying over is fine, as is a 2.5L hybrid, but they really need to replace the 2.5L 4GR-FSE with something better. How bout the 3GR-FSE 3.0L with 250hp/230tq? That would be competitive with BMW, and so long as they tune it for very nice torque in the low-end to mid-range it would be able to pull the extra tall overdrive gears and get some pretty good mileage too. Lexus has been "pulling Hondas" with their engines biasing them way too much towards the top end, which compromises throttle response and torque at the low-end along with the ability to pull tall OD gears for good mileage.
The IS250 got punked when the BMW E90 325i came out in 2006, which was actually a 3.0L engine. Despite being rated similarly, it put out a lot more power than the little 4GR did. And then they one-upped them again with the 328i in 2007 which just up-tuned it to 230hp/200tq (rated a bit conservatively as BMWs usually are). Lexus has never responded to this, and they need to. In fact I'm shocked they didn't update the 2IS to IS300 trim sometime in its lifecycle. A 250hp/230tq IS300 with a 6 speed manual would be a great drivers car with all the power you really need. More than a few BMW fans are upset about them dropping the naturally aspirated Inline-6 in favor of the turbo 4-cylinder too, so the fact that Lexus would have a nicely tuned 3.0L NA engine to offer with good sound and refinement and throttle response would be something to entice disaffected BMW fans with.
BTW it needs to be bigger. My 6'3" carcass can fit fine "sitting behind myself" in the new F30 3-series. The 2IS is tiny in comparison, and Lexus has other lower level offerings now, so the IS can get a tad bigger.
The IS250 got punked when the BMW E90 325i came out in 2006, which was actually a 3.0L engine. Despite being rated similarly, it put out a lot more power than the little 4GR did. And then they one-upped them again with the 328i in 2007 which just up-tuned it to 230hp/200tq (rated a bit conservatively as BMWs usually are). Lexus has never responded to this, and they need to. In fact I'm shocked they didn't update the 2IS to IS300 trim sometime in its lifecycle. A 250hp/230tq IS300 with a 6 speed manual would be a great drivers car with all the power you really need. More than a few BMW fans are upset about them dropping the naturally aspirated Inline-6 in favor of the turbo 4-cylinder too, so the fact that Lexus would have a nicely tuned 3.0L NA engine to offer with good sound and refinement and throttle response would be something to entice disaffected BMW fans with.
BTW it needs to be bigger. My 6'3" carcass can fit fine "sitting behind myself" in the new F30 3-series. The 2IS is tiny in comparison, and Lexus has other lower level offerings now, so the IS can get a tad bigger.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 1
From: Makati, Philippines
I know I may sound like a broke record but..........stick shift on a Lexus IS 3rd generation?
Hmm.............it depends on how Lexus thinks and feels about this. First off, of the entire 2IS vehicle population, how many of these come with a stick?
Hmm.............it depends on how Lexus thinks and feels about this. First off, of the entire 2IS vehicle population, how many of these come with a stick?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Guest
Posts: n/a
Yeah a bump to at least 320hp with a bump in MPG would be great....the Middle East remember gets the IS 300 with 240hp or so..would not be surprised to see
IS 250
IS 300h
IS 350
ISc
IS F
as the lineup. Not FRS based at all, that is a very tiny car.
That rendering is simply the LF-LC face with the CT-Lh headlamps and air vents....
IS 250
IS 300h
IS 350
ISc
IS F
as the lineup. Not FRS based at all, that is a very tiny car.
That rendering is simply the LF-LC face with the CT-Lh headlamps and air vents....