Significantly Evolved in Both Driving and Design—The Minorly Updated Lexus IS Makes Its World Premiere
LEXUS IS | The Lexus IS
Lexus World Premieres Minorly Updated IS
On June 16, Lexus unveiled the world premiere of its minorly updated compact FR sports sedan, the IS. Sales in Japan are scheduled for autumn 2020.
A Car Designed to Reveal the Joy of Driving the Longer You Own It
The IS is a sports sedan positioned by Akio Toyoda, Lexus Chief Branding Officer and Master Driver, as a "car like a whetstone that polishes the driver's senses." The new model has undergone rigorous testing at locations worldwide, including the "Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama" in Aichi Prefecture, to refine its driving performance.
According to Naoki Kobayashi, Lexus Chief Engineer, "Our development concept was to create a car with excellent communication with the driver, possessing a deep capacity that remains stable on any road surface or in any driving situation. By developing and refining it at our new test course, we aimed for a car that offers a refined ride while maintaining high vehicle controllability, allowing drivers to discover the joy of driving the longer they own it."
The powertrain options include a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbo, a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder hybrid system, and a 3.5-liter V6. The 2.5-liter hybrid features revised control of the engine and motor driving force in response to accelerator input. The 2.0-liter turbo employs active control that determines the driving environment based on accelerator input and selects the appropriate gear for the situation.
Body dimensions (North American specification) are 4,710mm in length, 1,840mm in width, and 1,435mm in height, making it 30mm longer, 5mm wider, and 5mm taller than the previous model. The wheelbase remains 2,800mm.
In terms of body structure, rigidity has been enhanced through reinforcements to the side radiator support, additional spot welding points on the front side members, and optimized structures from the C-pillar to the roof side. This achieves improved driving dynamics and thorough elimination of noise and vibration. Furthermore, newly adopted 19-inch tires and shock absorbers contribute to responsive handling and a refined ride quality.
The exterior features slim headlamps with newly developed compact and lightweight lamp units, a redesigned, low-profile spindle grille, flared front and rear fenders, and a one-piece L-shaped rear combination lamp. The body panel manufacturing process utilizes the latest press technology, a "yoshibori" (gathering and squeezing) type structure where dies slide from the side, enabling a highly precise and sharper character line on the luggage area.
The interior features a 10.3-inch touch-enabled wide display that connects with smartphones, and a two-tone color scheme using vibrant colors on the upper part of the instrument panel and door panels, creating an exhilarating cabin atmosphere. Advanced safety features include the evolved, latest "Lexus Safety System+."
Inquiries
Lexus Information Desk
Tel. 0800-500-5577 (9:00-18:00, open 365 days a year)
https://lexus.jp/
