Lexus Chief Engineer Says He Is Banking On THIS To Overtake The 3-Series

I would say it stands a great chance of stealing more business from BMW but will not likely take it down... Styling improved imo, but the swoosh LED daytime lighting and headlight housing is off for me...

I agree, that is a tall order in this class. It will take some business away but not enough to overthrow the 3. Too much history for the 3 and the radical design of the new spindle grille is going to take some getting used to.

lexus is double teaming bmw by joining forces with nike, not fair !
on a serious note, i think this car will do very well for lexus, and all the cars in this class will be cross shopped.. it really is a tough segment 3 series, c class, a4, TL, g37, s60, ats.... lots of options

We will see how it performs and then pass judgement. I think the new ATS is on the same level as the 3 series (either would be a good purchase). We will have to see how the new Infiniti and this IS stack up.

too bad that from what I read the interior (which seems to be GMs biggest problem area) will disappoint despite it's superior (according to a review I watched) steering and control... ATS is a step in the right direction for sure, just ditch that poorly operating screen in the dash

Serious luxury buyers would not even consider this. Its got a face only a mother can love. The G37,3 series, Ats, A4 and C class look way better and I think will sell better. That nose suits a Scion not a Lexus. Where is Mr Dynamite!!

Yuck. In a big way, yuck. Add a premium price tag to ugly, and a winning combination is not.

I doubt if 3 people's opinion will make the IS not sell. Let's see how it drives. It's all about the feel. Looks are subjective.

Looks may be subjective but... not in this case. That has to be the ugliest front end in the industry. Makes the Acura beak look like a great design. Maybe it will look okay in black or dark grey but outside of that... no prom dates for that dog.

Just like the Previous Fusion was designed from the Gilette shaver this one was done by Catepillar (maybe a D4)!!!.

The rear quater of this car is a disater, let's not even talk about the front end.

Overtake is a bit optimistic. Match of close would be quite an accomplishment. BMW sells about half of their 3s by name alone.

This car needs a nose job bad! Lexus is aggressively trying to go after a younger demographic with this redesign, but it fails.

The rear quarter does not say upscale, but looks like an average aftermarket kit. The front, which they probably had to lengthen to fit in the Hybrid drive system, complete throws off the proportions and styling balance of the entire car.

Infiniti reinvigorated this segement and for some reason Lexus is yet to acknowledge there can't be any aspirations to overthrow the 3 until they outdue the G.

Let's not forget there was a time when Lexus had a direct shot at the 3 series when the first IS came out and the best they could muster was fancy rear lights. They will likely be stuck competeting for the 3rd spot in this segement along with Audi and Cadillac.

As much as I applaud the effort to design outside of the box, at the end of the day, it comes off as desperate. Instead of being attractive in a classy and stunning way, it's like the dowdy girl from the trailer park who put way too much eye makeup on.

And is it really necessary to post pics of virtually the same view, with only the slightest angle change?

Hate to say this, but the hybrid front end looks better than the F trim line's.

Agreed... The F Sport front end looks like some sort of bat-wing design.

I think IS will sell very well in every market it's available. In Middle East it is already the best selling car in it's class.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1304_2014_lexus_is_350_sport_first_drive/

..I think Lexus may have a wild card up it's sleeve. This is a radical departure from the previous model which may be an indication Lexus has tuned this gen IS350 to compete more with the TL, G37 and 3 Series. We'll just have to wait and see what it drives and performes like. If it performes about the same then it may also mean Lexus is getting ready to introduce another slighty upscale competitor. Who knows for sure?

I hope you are right because this is disappointing.

Lexworld, BMW has already changed the game. The new 4 series: coupe, gran coupe, convertible, and M variations will set new benchmarks for this segment. With the 2 series in the wings, BMW pincer move will be hard to beat.

The more I look at it the more I've started to warm up to this exterior design. However, that front grill is more than I can take in a light color. What a schnoze!.So if I were to buy this car it would have to be in a dark metallic grey. I really like the interior as it does remind me of the Lexus LFA. I wish they would put a bumper bar disecting the grill into upper and lower sectiona. I know that today a lot of companies, especially Audi want to put their stamp on their identity with a dominant grill. However, I think Lexus has gone a bit overboard here.The rest of the body shape is fine and I like the rear tail lamps. But that Schnoze. Wow in not a good way!

The only way to describe this new Lexless car is ZANY.

Lexless must really be desperate and threatened by BMW.

NOT. A. CHANCE. the 3-series is a refined car that does everything well. it will continue to outsell the IS many times over.