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NEWS
Lexus IS is better than Germans
Look out Benz and BMW, Lexus is bullish about third generation IS compact sports sedan as it prepares for Detroit debutLexus has promised the third generation IS compact sports sedan that debuts at the Detroit show in January will set a new benchmark for the segment, surpassing the BMW 3 series and Mercedes-Benz C-class.
“We think we will have the most competitive vehicle in the market… the best,” Lexus global product & market planning general manager Andrew Kirby told motoring.com.au at last week’s Australian reveal of the updated LS saloon.
Asked if it was better car than the current German rivals, he simply said “yes”.
Mr Kirby said he based that assessment on the new IS’ driving dynamics, quality, packaging and technology.
“I know that is a bold statement,” he added. “But I think what I want to say is we have made a significant investment in the future of IS.”
The new IS is indeed all-new, which is no surprise considering the current car will be eight years old by the time it leaves the market next year. It was originally on a seven-year lifecycle but the global economic crisis, which crunched Lexus and parent Toyota badly, forced the second generation IS to soldier on for an extra year.
The same business imperative drove Lexus’ decision to extend the current LS into a second substantial facelift rather than roll over into a new generation after six years on-sale, as has happened previously.
The importance of the new IS cannot be over-estimated for Lexus, which has refocussed in recent years on securing a younger buying audience via a more dynamic image and driving experience as its baby boomer buying base shrinks.
“It is really important because IS is the car that appeals to the younger customers and it also historically the line that has achieved the highest conquest rate,” Mr Kirby said.
“So in terms of our new vision of appealing to more progressive and contemporary markets and also slightly younger than we have been before, IS is one of the leading products with which we want to achieve that goal.”
“It is also one of the sportiest of our range and will continue to be so.”
The rear-wheel drive IS was originally created to take on the BMW 3 Series, the first generation even coming equipped with an inline six-cylinder engine. The new car will continue with RWD, but there is speculation that six-cylinder engines (in a vee for the current IS250 and IS350), will be abandoned in favour of four cylinder petrol engines and hybrids.
Intriguingly, Detroit will also be the venue for the unveiling of the second generation Infiniti G Series, which its creators are also confident will set a new standard for the segment.
Meanwhile, the Lexus ES front-wheel drive mid-size sedan remains a strong chance to return to sale in Australia after last being seen here in 2005. The new generation, on-sale since September in the USA, has been confirmed for right-hand drive production but destinations have not been confirmed.
Mr Kirby said he was “very optimistic” about the chances of Australian sale. motoring.com.au understands the car, which would sit between the IS and GS, is currently going through Australian Design Rule compliance and costings. If it gets the thumbs up expect an announcement around February.
Mr Kirby added no further light on speculation surrounding a Lexus ‘NX’ compact SUV, only confirming such a car was under study and had yet to be green-lighted for production.
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Written byBruce Newton
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