Next Gen Lexus IS Caught During Testing

Our spies have spotted the next generation Lexus IS testing. The new BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class rival has been seen with a modified version of the current car’s body. This version has been in showrooms since 2005, so is substantially older then its competitors.

Lexus has confirmed that the next IS will look more like a shrunken version of the new GS, which goes on sale in June. Styling wise, that means the new IS will wear the new corporate grille that’s appeared across the entire Lexus range, and will have more angular styling to match.

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jspecrsx - 4/16/2012 3:35:56 PM

+5 Boost

That's because the car in the pictures is the current IS. It's mention in the article

Designer1 - 4/16/2012 6:40:34 PM

+1 Boost

The new IS better be bigger than the current model, and I hope it will look better than the new GS.

Willis - 4/16/2012 9:37:52 PM

-9 Boost

I sat in the new GS as well. I think the materials are ok and definitely high quality, but the cockpit design is so hideously ugly. The word "deformed" comes to mind.

captainnemojr - 4/16/2012 10:02:16 PM

0 Boost

I'm still waiting on a new V6 from Lexus.

david999 - 4/16/2012 10:04:43 PM

+3 Boost

Come on, the new GS screams quality. I am sure the new IS will address many of the wishes not reflected on the current model.

hensta - 4/17/2012 1:23:31 AM

-1 Boost

Still no turbo? Listen up Japan, offer 6 cylinder turbo options like the Germans do, or continue to lose market share in this segment.

I sold my '05 Infiniti G35 for an '08 BMW 335i. Though they were rated almost identical at 298 and 300 HP respectively, the 335i FEELS (and is) faster by a wide margin due to the low end torque and twin turbo.

I really would like to see a stronger engine in a Japanese competitor against the BMW 3 series & Audi A4. More competition is always better. Until they offer forced induction in the Lexus IS or Infiniti G series, they handicap themselves in performance at the onset.

LexSucks - 4/17/2012 1:04:23 PM

0 Boost

When the next generation Lexus IS is released, it will be the best car in it's class (just like the LF-A and new GS are the best). Watch this space.

dlin - 4/18/2012 3:20:59 PM

+2 Boost

Now that new 3 goes for elec steering, it lost that magic 'feel'. Now it comes down to who's got better quality, suspension tuning, and engine. Lexus certainly owns the 1st one, sorting out the 2nd, but I'd like to see if it can match Bimmer's FI 2L engine.

mpls - 4/18/2012 6:14:18 PM

+2 Boost

Agent009 ..

Your spies didn't spot anything .. Your link takes you to Autoexpress, a British publisher of car Magazine .. thank them for the spy shots, i saw it 2 days ago in Autoexpress ..