Leaked before Detroit: 2014 Lexus IS
The new compact luxury sedan has been revealed ahead of its auto show debut.
A few days ago, a Chinese website posted the first photos of the 2014 Buick LaCrosse. Early Wednesday, another Chinese website leaked photos of the 2014 Lexus IS, a completely redesigned model that Lexus will reveal at the 2013 North American International Auto Show next week.A Toyota spokesman said these were not official company images. [UPDATE: These are the official images, as Toyota has just released them on their U.S. website at 9:50 a.m. PST] But whether they're renderings or from the far corners of a Toyota regional office in China, we do know the new IS will receive the company's new "spindle" grille, shown here in an apparent F Sport trim level. The rear lights pictured here adapt the thin, downward curving style of the new GS, which would also make sense on the production IS.
The interior looks especially sharp dressed in red and black leather, a direct cue from BMW, along with the company's 3-spoke, small-diameter steering wheel and LFA-inspired instrument cluster. We'll wait until we see this little Lexus in the flesh next week to confirm all the details. The only thing we hope is that Lexus keeps the 6-speed manual transmission on the current IS 250 and brings it to the F Sport model.
Have a look:
[Source: pcauto.com.cn via Jalopnik]
quoted from article:
"The only thing we hope is that Lexus keeps the 6-speed manual transmission on the current IS 250 and brings it to the F Sport model."
If by "current," you mean 2013 model year, then the 6 speed manual is already gone. I read in Motor Trend that Lexus dropped the manual transmission from the IS for the 2013 model year and I checked a few different websites that list new car options and couldn't find anything showing a manual for the IS even as a special order option. Maybe one of the Toyota experts could confirm or correct me.
That doesn't mean it won't be available on the next generation, but I wouldn't count on it.
As far as the styling goes, they seem pretty confident with the new front nose that they are using with the new GS and LS. I'm just not convinced. It certainly isn't ugly, but it doesn't make you say "wow" the way the new BMW, Audi and Cadillac models do.
However, the interior looks fantastic (if you ignore the automatic transmission lever). Who knew Toyota could make a good looking interior?
This car's interior is exceptional though, nice job Toyota! I am not completely sold on that grill either, will have to see it in person. It's definitely better than the new Fusion's grill though, it looks like a whale skimming for plankton and this car looks more like the monster from predator.
I liked the way the old IS looked, I will have to see the car for myself to decide if I like this new one. I didn't think I would like the new GS, but my neighbor just bought one and it looks good going down the road. The grille design may be OK on the GS, but by the picture, the grille look's to be too enlarged on the IS. One thing is for sure, the quality will be there( unlike junk Fords)
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