Lexus News: Updated: Lexus IS Pictures Leaked

[Drew Dowdell]

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By Drew Dowdell

With the North American International Auto Show just around the corner, expect the pre-show leaks to start pouring out. The first big leak of the season is the 2014 Lexus IS, shown here in F-Sport trim.

The Lexus IS will be powered by the familiar 2.5 liter and 3.5 liter V6es with a hybrid 4-cylinder available later. The Hi-Po IS-F could be powered by a 470 horsepower 5.0 liter V8 that gets the car to 60mph in 4.5 seconds.

Stay tuned to CheersandGears.com for full coverage of the 2013 North American International Auto show in Detroit.

Click the Album below for a full spread.

Update: Lexus has released the full press release and official photos.

Press release is on page 2.

Official Photos have been added to the album below.

Album: 2014 Lexus IS

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Lexus Releases First Official Photos of the Next Generation IS

TORRANCE, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2013) - The all-new Lexus IS compact sport sedan will make its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan. 15, 2013. A press conference will be held in the Cobo Center at 9:30 a.m. EST, and live webcast streaming of the event will be available at www.lexus.com and on the Lexus Facebook page.

The all-new IS model range will include IS 250, IS 350, and the first IS to feature Lexus Hybrid Drive, the IS 300h, which will be available in Europe, Japan and other international markets. F SPORT models will be available across the full range. Today, Lexus released photos of the all-new IS 250/350 F SPORT in advance of next week’s World Premiere.

Exterior Design

The all-new IS features the new Lexus spindle grille frontal design, awarding the compact sedan a combination of aggressive elegance, a more powerful road presence and a stronger brand identity.

The tight, sporting proportions of the body are formed by powerful character lines generated by the shape of the spindle grille, which passes through the base of the A-pillars then tightens up as it flows toward the rear. They clearly delineate the body from the cabin, emphasizing the wide flare of the wheel arches to give the new IS a broad, powerful stance.

In profile, the strong horizontal beltline shows off the large rear tires and its low center of gravity. The mass of the cabin itself is concentrated rearwards, visually applying weight to the rear tires to enhance the perception of traction.

A rising crease line flowing from the lower body, through the rear wheel arch and into the rear lamp clusters adds the sweeping elegance to the sedan’s sporty profile.

The exterior design incorporates a new, powerfully articulated headlamp cluster design with Lexus trademark, L-shaped Daytime Running Lights (DRL) located independently below.

F SPORT models are instantly recognized by an exclusive grille and front bumper design. The ‘waistline’ of the grille is higher than on standard models, increasing the area of the lower grille to make it capable of drawing in a larger volume of cooling air appropriate to sporty performance.

Interior Design

The new IS interior design creates a focused, ergonomically ideal environment from within, which the driver can fully exploit the new Lexus compact sedan’s superb driving dynamics.

The new IS’ increased width and longer wheelbase provide significantly improved rear seat comfort. The combination of the extended wheelbase and a thinner front seat design generates best-in-class knee room and improved accessibility. And new, 60:40 split/folding rear seats, provide expansive luggage capacity.

Cabin material, trim and finish refinement is complimented by the latest advances in HMI technology and a high quality analog clock with surface-emitting illumination. The center console incorporates Lexus-first, electrostatic switches to control the air conditioning temperature with the touch of a finger.

Both the seat hip point and the angle of the new, LFA-inspired steering wheel have been lowered and steering reach adjustment increased, creating a more sporting driving position. F SPORT models feature the LFA’s innovative driver’s meter with a moving center ring.

F SPORT trim detailing includes a perforated leather finish to the steering wheel and shift knob, metal film 3-D-effect ornamentation, black seat stitching, and aluminium pedals and scuff plates.

A choice of three F SPORT interior color schemes includes a new Rioja Red finish, which is exclusive to the marque.

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[Paolino]

I never liked the new spindle grille and the "F-sport" thing is old already.

[bobo]

It has some weird details, but overall a pretty inoffensive design. I think the ES350 is the best-looking Lexus now, despite its FWD proportions. I would have liked to see the hybrid available here. That would give me more interest in this car, but I think I'll pass now.

[PONTIAC06]

I actually like the rear 3/4 view...the front end looks pretty awful...maybe the standard versions will have a better fascia...otherwise the interior looks less luxury and more tried to hard...guess I'll have to see them in person when they get on the local lots...

[Robert Hall]

Pointy...some interesting details, not sure about the front fascia. Nice RWD proportions, sporty interior...nice to see a proper CD slot in the dash.

[ocnblu]

Ugly, disjointed picasso of crap.

[ZL-1]

The tail lights are interesting; the rest of the car is pretty conservative; the fish-mouth grille is becoming overdone.

[David]

One can tell it is a predator mouth on a Toyota re-badge boring car. Even the engines are not exciting.

What a waste of engineering money.

[Robert Hall]

So this is the all-new redesign based on the FR-S platform, I believe? Comparing w/ pics of the current car it doesn't appear to be an MCE.

[bobo]

I think it's based on the Lexus GS platform. One good thing about this car is the increased rear-seat room, which could give it a slight edge over its competitors.

[Z-06]

Incoherent and safe.

[ponchoman49]

The new 2014 Lexus IS which is remarkably similar to the current car save the Darth Vader bug collector grille! And everybody is complaining that the 2014 GM trucks look just like the old ones.