Hello: Do anybody know what "IS" stands for?.
I noticed that all bimers has de "I" letter in all 3 series as well as my Solar Yellow IS 300.
Thank you

 

I don't think anyone really knows.
One can only guess.
"S" must stand for sedan.
You can come up with anything you want for the I.
Might be "Intermediate."

 

Hello:
My search makes me to speculate that "IS" is referred to "Inline Sport" since the base BMW 3 series engine is Inline as well as the IS 300. "S" always stands for sport.
That is my especulation. I may be wrong. I asked everybody at the Lexus dealer but not success.

 

Here are my guesses:
ES - "Entry Sedan"
IS - "Intermediate Sedan"
SC - "Sports Coupe"
LS - "Luxury Sedan"
GS -
RX -
LX -

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

 

I've heard "Individual Sedan"

 

I'll put in my 2 cents on the RX and LX. The X is the four wheel drive designation. BMW always uses the X to designate this, probably originating from the cross (X) as in cross-country. I know that is why the X5 has the X. I am assuming Lexus took the same track on the X designator. 'R' letter designations tend to be 'racing' as in the Integra type R. I think they were going for the 'racey' designation in the RX as it is a paired down sport-ute and all the advertising emphasis is on handling.

Just my $.02

.../austin

 

GS = GRAND SEDAN
RX = ROAD CROSSER/CRUISER
LX = LAND CROSSER/CRUISER

 

No. Up until recent years, BMW nomenclature has been very specific and strict. When the "i" designation arose, it was in reference to fuel "injection," which was new and deserved differentiation at the time.

The "IS" designation is in accordance with these non-binding rules:

2nd-letter

"S" - Sedan
"C" - Coupe
"X" - Cross Country (Offroad)

Various people have speculated that the "I" of the "IS" stood for "Individual" or "International," and frankly, either is as good as any other. Frankly, I think it had everything to do with defining the target market away from that of the ES300 and GS300. The "IS" was equipped (at least during its first year) to occupy the market niche between the German 3-series at the high end and the Japanese Integra at the low end.

 

i think someone mentioned
"instant satisfaction"
before

 

In all seriousness, I did read somewhere that it means "International Sedan".

 

Thats how one of the popular car magazines termed it as to how it would do for Lexus.

 

It Screams

 

whadaya know....

it's even more similar to women now

 

it is very similar to women. 'It screams' but only when you treat it right and throw alot of money at the problem!!!

 

ES = Executive Sedan
LS = Luxury Sedan
GS = Grand Sport/Sedan
SC = Sport Coupe
RX and LX?

I think aust182 and xsuperjoex have a hold on that one.