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NEWS
SPY PICS: Lexus' next 3 Series fighter
Next-generation IS snapped as Lexus readies its redesigned mid-size sedan for a Detroit debutLexus is almost ready to whip the covers off its redesigned IS sedan at the Detroit motor show in January.
As these Carparazzi spy shots from Belgium also demonstrate, the Japanese brand’s fresh attack on the likes of BMW’s new 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz’s facelifted C-Class will retain similar proportions to the outgoing IS, but is expected to wear a more aggressive ‘spindle’ grille and edgier body detailing.
Selected media outlets will drive pre-production versions of the all-new IS in the US later this month, but the production version will not be shown at the Los Angeles motor show on November 28.
Due on sale globally in the first half of next year, the new IS will finally replace a seven-year-old model that has waned in popularity since its 2005 release. The IS250 was once Lexus Australia’s top-selling model, but with 1072 sales so far this year (down 16 per cent) it has been outsold by the brand’s own RX (1444) and CT200h (1094).
Combined with sales of the IS350 (479 – down 21 per cent), the IS250C coupe-convertible (167 – down 30 per cent) and the IS F sports sedan (59 – down nine per cent), total IS sales are down more than 400 on 2011 figures.
Meantime, IS250/350/F sales in 2012 account for 12 per cent of Australia’s $60,000-plus mid-size segment, which is dominated by the C-Class (34 per cent) and 3 Series (28.6 per cent), with Audi’s A4 third with 16 per cent.
The mechanical makeup of Lexus’ new IS is not yet known, but it’s certain to be available with hybrid power for the first time, given the Toyota luxury brand is now an all-hybrid marque in Europe. Also for the first time, the IS will form the basis of an all-new mid-size two-door coupe – as previewed by the sleek LF-CC concept from September’s Paris motor show – giving Lexus its first direct rival for the C-Class Coupe and 3 Series Coupe (which will soon be reborn as the 4 Series).
It’s now almost certain the IS-based coupe won’t wear IS badges, however, and while it will spawn a convertible to replace the existing IS250C, that model might also wear a new Lexus nameplate.
Expect full-blown F versions of both the IS sedan and coupe (and perhaps even the convertible), to compete directly with two- and four-door versions of BMW’s M3 and Benz’s C63 AMG, as well as Audi’s RS5 and forthcoming RS4.
– with Carparazzi
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