Lexus Unveils Facelifted IS Model at Beijing World Premiere
CAR / NEWS
April 26, 2016

Lexus Unveils Facelifted IS Model at Beijing World Premiere


LEXUS IS


Lexus Unveils Facelifted IS at Beijing Motor Show


Lexus unveiled its minor-updated sports sedan, the IS, at the Beijing Motor Show, which opened on the 25th. Sales in Japan are expected to begin around autumn.


Text by YANAKA Tomomi



A More Aggressive Front Design


The third-generation "IS" launched in 2013.ISThree years after its full model change, a facelifted model was revealed for the first time in the world at the Beijing Motor Show.


The design has been revised, focusing on the more sculpted front end, which Lexus describes as "aggressive." The proportions of the spindle grille have been altered, giving it a powerful design that follows Lexus's latest coupes such as the "LC" and "RC."LCandRC"LC" and "RC."


Meanwhile, the interior features a larger 10.3-inch multimedia display for improved operability. The control panels have also been modified to enhance the sense of quality.



LEXUS IS

LEXUS IS


In conjunction with this minor change, safety features have also been enhanced. The "Lexus Safety System," a safety and preventative package, incorporates features such as pre-crash safety with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, and radar cruise control.


In the premium D-segment category, where competitors like Mercedes-Benz's "C-Class" and BMW's "3 Series" fiercely vie for dominance.C-Classand BMW's3 SeriesIt remains to be seen what kind of presence the IS will establish after this minor update.