Not only that , but many of the BMW engines are tuned as well, from the B58 to the B48 even prior generations and no issues. Remember Toyota wouldn't have put it in the Supra if they deemed it garbage.

Acura is garbage, don't see why a potential 3IS buyer would want to buy a FWD or whatever Acura and their AWD is not even the best in the market either. As for an ISF, V8 not necessary, use the V6TT like everybody else. It's new and will be able to compete favorably with the competition. If they build it, I shall return. Otherwise, I have no interest in their cars.

PS. for those looking for a budget RWD performance car, the G70 3.3T can be had for low 40's new.

 

lol because any potential 3IS buyer isn't cross shopping other luxury sport sedans [/sarcasm]. And it's been said many times before, but 90% of owners in this segment don't make use of RWD characteristics driving their families around to dinner and getting groceries. The 3IS is an avg priced luxury sport sedan, with not much emphasis on sport, so let's not kid ourselves. I think I've only seen one 3IS ever at a road racing track.

Someone shopping for an actual high performance luxury sport sedan, many of which are around 400hp, aren't likely cross shopping any 3IS trim. For everyone else, the TLX fits right in with the 3IS.

 

I think a non ISF version at around 360 hp would be a good entry since it will be on par with the competition at that price point and segment. The new TLX might be ok... I said might! 😂 😂 😂

 

Dai Yoshihara was the one driving the car on the track in the video. He was asked on IG how it handled and about the power. He said regarding the handling "Yes for sure! Big improvement" on power "but it felt underpowered"

 

It's obvious that the new IS isn't really appealing to speed freaks. A balanced performance approach with high quality and reliability are the focused target segment its aiming at. I think most of the people that want real speed have already moved on. If you go to other forums though, the car is literally the butt of many jokes. Most enthusiasts respect the M340, S4, C43 And P3D. They can't believe Lexus is putting in a 15 year old engine for the new version

 

That's a fair point. Of the three people in my social group that purchased an IS350 in the past couple of years, none of them are car people. All of them just wanted a nice compact luxury sedan that had enough power and was reliable and well priced. Even with the 2IS, for enthusiasts it was always a bit of an afterthought to the likes of the 335i and G37 of the time. It didn't help that you could get those with a six-speed manual, whereas you could not with the IS350.

 

You know, you really hit the nail on the head with this comment. I think I need to give up on Lexus wanting to compete in the “sports car” segment. I suppose the best option for me is going to have my 3IS as my daily and get something with 400+ HP as my weekend ride, etc. In all likelihood, I’ll get a Tesla tbh. I’ll be back in the States 2021 so we’ll see what’s out by then, but I doubt Lexus will be making anything that will fulfill my need for dynamic and absurdly fun driving lol.

 

The Tesla isn't a weekend car. It's more of a daily because it's so cheap to run. Easiest car to drive in traffic. I really recommend a test drive...if you've never driven one, it's quite the experience Just make sure it's the Performance version.

 

Oh, I didn’t mean the Tesla would be a weekend car haha. I meant if I got like a used GT-R R35 or something like that lol. I have driven a Tesla. It was the Tesla Model S Performance that my sister-in-law owns and boy did it change my perspective on torque. That’s why I’m super interested in possibly getting one. If I did, my 3IS would be my weekend car lmao.

 

The Model 3 Performance is much more of a sports sedan especially with Track Mode. The Model S is faster though...it's 4 wheel rocket.

 

As a current TL Type-S owner and future IS350 owner, it's really unfortunate to read some of the comments in this thread. I think we should give Acura some credit for actually trying with the new TLX. Lexus on the other hand, seems like they are looking to justify getting rid of the IS if this redesign flops. I will still be getting myself an IS in the future, but I can admit that the new TLX makes it a slightly more difficult decision.

 

I did a simple poll on Lexus fb page. Market feedback doesn't look to good. Lexus obviously isn't listening to customers feedback and look into what other competitors is offering. It's very unfortunate for Lexus IS. I suspect lack of powertrain upgrade in 2021 is partly related to lack of funding and new Lexus IS hasn't been selling well at all in the last few years compared to it's competitors BMW 3 series and Merc C class. For the same money you can get a much more fun vehicle to drive with alot more power. Lexus IS isn't responding to the current market demand, particularly younger generation owner are looking for something more fun more power. My other assumption is Lexus is directing most of it funding on the next generation full electric Lexus IS that is probably going to be released in the next 4 to 5 years to compete with Telsa. I hope they don't kill off Lexus IS completely as they did with GS.

 

That is indeed correct - the ML has the white volume/tuning ***** while the non-ML have the brushed aluminum - Personally, I dislike the white ones so when I traded my 1st IS that didn't have the white one, I swapped then into my 2nd IS and are now into my RC. I just like the brushed aluminum look better as it blends better with the gear and drive mode selector.

 

OMG that made me laugh!!!

 

The only problem is that Tesla was not well developed for northern climate. The quality of the paint is being put to the test with all the chemicals/sand that are being used on our roads. Personally, I think Tesla did a fantastic at bringing the electric car to the mass public and have really forced other car companies to up their games, but personally, I wouldn't get a Tesla (model 3) - I find their interior so boring and cheap looking, simply a big computer screen in the middle...not what turns my crank, but I respect those that like it....

** I should correct my original message - I didn't meant to say "not well developed", but rather, not as well adapted....As a French speaking person, sometime I don't always use the correct terms....My apology for the confusion **