Are the new Lexus IS and BMW 3 targeted at the same customers?

IF watchers of automotive styling wondered where all the flares, waveforms and undulations went on the latest BMW 3-series, I've found them: They're on Lexus' new IS sport sedans. Inspired by the company's new design language, called L-Finesse — which sounds like the name of a Mexican wrestler — the luxury division of Toyota has managed, not quite consciously, to build the 3-series that Munich would have built if they hadn't gotten a straitjacket on design chief Chris Bangle.



Man, this is one frothy bit of styling. Even the taillight lenses have little meringue-like peaks whipped into them. The cat's-eye headlights are right off Grandma's nightstand. The dorsal contours plunge down the roof rails, onto the hood and into the bumper in the shape of a divining rod over an east Texas aquifer. The triangular fog-light apertures and bumper opening follow the same V-shaped contours, which ultimately has the effect of giving the car kind of a happy, slightly stoned grin. Heading aft, the rising shoulder lines leave the midsection of the car looking thick and slack below the windows and create something like an optical illusion: The rear wheels look smaller than the fronts.

Full article here

atomicbri - 12/15/2005 10:27:14 AM

+1 Boost

Both the BMW and Lexus in my opinion look good. I don't really feel one is better than the other in looks.... the BMW still looks like a BMW (even if it has been Bangle-ized) and Lexus has finally put a little flair into their designs. As far as them targeting the same customer....Lexus may want to, but BMW's audience is quite different. The BMW is still the driver's choice. It just won Automobile Magazine's COY Award for it's wonderful handling and continuing to always up the ante of each new generation of 3 series. Lexus still has a ways to go in order to win over true BMW enthusiasts....

lewissalem - 12/16/2005 11:07:11 AM

+1 Boost

Simple:

I can buy a 330i with a six speed. I cannot buy a IS350 with a six speed.

lewissalem - 12/16/2005 4:34:03 PM

+1 Boost

Will,

You are incorrect. Please check the Lexus website.

Only a true enthusiast car company would produce a manual transmission in it's higher displacement model.

That's just my opinion.

While I feel that Lexus makes great reliable cars, I prefer to shift myself.

This is why I stick with BMW/Audi.