Lexus IS spypics and first review

[hks786]

[hks786]

This seems to be more of a trend now letting journalists drive the car before it's officially revealed. Design won't be as good as german rivals but I'm still interested to see how it works out. IS-F wasn't a million miles away from rivals and it was Lexus's first attempt so the next one may be very interesting.

In terms desgin I think what Lexus need to do is create a bigger difference in styling between Toyota. A quick glance at those spypics may lead someone to believe its a Toyota. It needs to have more distinct body lines like C-class/3 Series. Also, the hood looks very bulbous. Pedestrian safety laws no doubt have an effect on design but still. Speedo display and temp controls are nice features, but overall I don't think interior will be anywhere near rivals.

[Silver-Bolt]

Hopefully the inject some soul into the new model. The first gen was completely uninspiring to drive.

[SaMaster14]

Would love to see the new IS-F. I would seriously consider that car!

[hellrotm]

Center console plastic looks cheap as usual.

[CAPSGOD]

I like the LFA gauge cluster (if you can call it a cluster). That's about it.

[py0413]

the "L" logo on the seats? Just looks too weird to me.

[danniexi]

*yawn* lexus.

but the LFA style instrument gauges are a nice touch.

[NemesisX]

Early reports say the new IS handles pretty well around a track -

The stiffer platform improves both the ride quality and handling because it gives the new suspension a stronger base of operations. Up front, the double wishbone design has been retained, however, the stabilizer bar link has been reworked, which increases its rigidity by 20%. The IS’s new rear suspension was plucked directly from the GS. The new setup, especially with the optional active dampers aboard, does a very good job keeping the rubber on the road —P225/40 R18 front and substantial P255/35R18 rear tires on the test car. The steering has also been refined. Again, the starting point was the GS’s rack, however, further work has sharpened the on-centre feel and made the rack ratio faster. This brings better feedback without making the IS350 seem twitchy. It also adds much better straight-line stability. The final dynamic touch is found in the IS350’s larger front rotors and performance brake pads.

Testing proved the IS350 to be noticeably crisper. The steering is much sharper and it turns in with more authority. The improvements were made all the more noticeable on the rain-soaked skid pad. There was very little body roll and less understeer when the IS was pushed as far as the conditions permitted. A g-force meter backed up all of my seat-of-the-pant evaluations. On the wet tarmac, the current IS350 available for testing pulled 0.81g before the stability control system intervened. The new IS350 F Sport prototypes were pulling 0.91g before stability control intervention. Now, that is a significant and quantifiable improvement.

While the engines carry over from the current cars, there is an important upgrade for the IS350 — the addition of an eight-speed transmission (the IS250 retains the previous six-speed box). In the acceleration portion of the skid pad test, the current car put 103 kilometres an hour on the speedometer before hitting the braking zone — the new car with its extra ratios was showing 114 km/h when it hit the same point. The difference is found in the taller first and second gear ratios. They give a noticeably faster launch and a much stronger mid-range. The transmission will also have a positive effect on fuel economy. The canyon drive proved the new car is very quiet. However, an intake noise attenuator ensures the driver hears the right noises when it’s appropriate.

Engines are carryovers but as previously indicated they'll introduce a turbo variant during the mid-cycle refresh.

The 3.5 L 306HP N/A is now fitted to an 8 speed transmission instead of the 6 speed, although I don't know if that really makes a difference. The report above at least suggests it gives a "noticeably faster launch and much stronger mid-range" but who knows.

The 4GS GS350 is a better handling vehicle than the 535i (according to virtually every comparison) and the new IS is based on the 4GS, so who knows, it could actually be a decent product this time around as far as driving dynamics go.

[Greenkirby21]

Originally Posted by danniexi

*yawn* lexus.

but the LFA style instrument gauges are a nice touch.

love the gauges

[135Pats]

At the very least I like the direction Lexus is moving in, even if it takes them some time to compete across the entire range with BMW in terms of driving dynamics....A Lexus is a very pleasant place to be, but man they're boring. I drove an '06 GS300 fairly extensively and while enormously comfortable and competent, it was one of the most unwilling cars I've ever encountered. No desire to rev at all. It seems that they're intent on changing that, BMW should welcome the competition.

[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

At the very least I like the direction Lexus is moving in, even if it takes them some time to compete across the entire range with BMW in terms of driving dynamics....A Lexus is a very pleasant place to be, but man they're boring. I drove an '06 GS300 fairly extensively and while enormously comfortable and competent, it was one of the most unwilling cars I've ever encountered. No desire to rev at all. It seems that they're intent on changing that, BMW should welcome the competition.

+1

Oh god the previous generation GS were total boats to drive. No character. No "soul" whatsoever.

For the past 4 or 5 years the only Lexus vehicle that I ever even considered was the ISF, but even then it was always 3rd on my mental list behind the M3 and C63 AMG (possibly 4th if we add in the Audi RS variants).

If the driving dynamics for this new IS are really as good as the previous report indicates, I might actually give it a test drive. The LFA-inspired cluster looks pretty cool I must admit.

Will I end up buying one? Probably not.

But, like you said, at least they're moving in the right direction. Maybe 5-10 years from now they'll have a true competitor to our benchmark 3 series/1 series.

[Robert]

I really like the new GS, a complete step up from before. Toyota has really improved interiors of current line up of Lexus, the LFA gauge is a nice touch. My only complaint is the 3 spoke steering, the vertical (bottom) spoke is too wide, I love to hang my hand on the bottom for a relaxing commute. That said my next car won't be a Lexus, they don't reward you for pushing the car, same can be said for the new 3-5 series BMW, gotten way too big.

If the IS drives as good as BRZ or FT86, watch out!

[Dovetonsils]

The first gen was completely uninspiring to drive.

[S65NAPWR]

Originally Posted by CAPSGOD

I like the LFA gauge cluster (if you can call it a cluster). That's about it.

Me too, very cool piece, but unless the car's interior can match it - could look sort of out of place / forced.

[NemesisX]

Jay Leno test drives the 2014 IS350 -

Couple of quotes:

"It feels very German in its handling"
"It doesn't lean, it doesn't roll. Nothing flexes."

He made a couple of references to how rigid the overall chassis feels and how that gives the car a lot of stability at the limit.

Overall it sounds like he's comparing it favorably to the 3 series but not necessarily saying it's better than the 3 series, but the 2014 IS certainly seems to be a step up from the previous generation IS (both of them) in terms of driving dynamics.

[cuiter23]

I think the IS exterior is going to look beautiful when it comes out. Just not really a big fan of the 2 knobs though.

[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by Robert

I really like the new GS, a complete step up from before. Toyota has really improved interiors of current line up of Lexus, the LFA gauge is a nice touch. My only complaint is the 3 spoke steering, the vertical (bottom) spoke is too wide, I love to hang my hand on the bottom for a relaxing commute. That said my next car won't be a Lexus, they don't reward you for pushing the car, same can be said for the new 3-5 series BMW, gotten way too big.

If the IS drives as good as BRZ or FT86, watch out!

Apples and oranges.

Nothing in the entry level luxury sport class (BMW 3 series included) will handle as good as a BRZ/FR-S/FT86 on the track.

Those cars are built to have monster handling for a reasonable price (but with mediocre power and limited luxury). They're not even the same class of car.

The BMW 3 series is the king of handling within the entry level luxury sport class where cars are generally much heavier.

[DASHOCKER]

rubbish.

[Endless619]

Looks normal for a Toyota.

[ToothDoc]

Originally Posted by NemesisX

Apples and oranges.

Nothing in the entry level luxury sport class (BMW 3 series included) will handle as good as a BRZ/FR-S/FT86 on the track.

Those cars are built to have monster handling for a reasonable price (but with mediocre power and limited luxury). They're not even the same class of car.

The BMW 3 series is the king of handling within the entry level luxury sport class where cars are generally much heavier.

The IS is supposed to be a stretched BRZ/FR-S/FT86. Don't know if it's true... but curious to see the release and reviews.

[Who?]

actually wanted to wait for this car. Both my parents have a Lexus, so I sorta grew up with them (yes, boring family I know lol, but they are great, reliable, refined cars)..
I just couldnt buy a current IS knowing there will be a all new one coming 2014.

Nonetheless, very much looking forward to this model