Lexus has revealed its new IS saloon, but don't get too excited - it won't be coming to Ireland. Apparently, Irish buyers are deserting the IS range in droves to switch to the NX and UX SUVs, and any remaining customers desiring a saloon can be funnelled into the ES range.
New, bigger, grille
Which is a shame - the IS has always been a sharp-to-drive car, and this updated (as opposed to all-new) version looks enticingly dramatic.
The changes are most obvious at the front, where the grille - already pretty big - is now positively gaping, like a basking shark with metallic paint options. The grille is supposed to have a "three-dimensional, polyhedral structure" and no, we don't know either.
At the rear, the boot lid is now separated into two distinct levels by a full-width light bar that is inspired by that used by the UX 250h crossover. Actually is it just us, or is there a touch of E65 BMW 7 Series about that rear end?
The cabin remains largely the same, with gorgeous instruments (inspired by those of the legendary LF-A supercar, of course) and what looks like the same Rolex-esque levels of quality. The main infotainment system is all-new, with a 10.3-inch screen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It's controlled by a track-pad system but the screen is also a touch-screen.
Stiffer structure
While the basic structure of the car remains the same as that of the outgoing model (this is really a thorough facelift rather than an all-new car) Lexus says that structural rigidity has increased, largely thanks to new radiator side supports, increasing the number of front-side-member weld points and optimising structures from the rear-quarter pillars to the sides of the roof, among other areas.
That allows the IS to be the debut vehicle for Lexus' new "Lexus Driving Signature" which is "defined by linear vehicle operation that is faithful to a driver's intentions, providing seamless transition from braking to steering and acceleration through a corner."
Lexus says that the IS' handling and ride have been honed at the company's new technical centre in Shimoyama, Japan. There, Lexus has built a handling track that is based on the Nurburgring race track, and which features "a wide range of curves and a variety of road surfaces." Wonder if they've replicated the Donegal roads that Lexus used to test the LS saloon on?
Anyway, repeated loops of this test road have allowed the Lexus engineers to give the IS sharper handling, but not at the expense of comfort. There are new swing valves for the suspension dampers, and the track widths are up by 45mm at the front and 50mm at the back. Even the wheel nuts have been optimised for lightness.
The existing 2.5-litre 300h hybrid and 2.0t turbo petrol powertrains are carried over, as is the 3.5-litre V6 engine for the IS 300 model.
Low centre of gravity
Lexus International chief designer Kenichi Hirai said the aim for the new IS was to achieve an aggressive design that evokes a sense of driving. "To achieve a high degree of design, Lexus members in product planning, production technology, engineering, and styling combined their various insights and united behind development from an early stage," Mr Hirai said. "This enabled us to achieve the proportions of a four-door coupe that has a low centre of gravity, an explicit form, and other elements that express the worldview of the new IS. We also pursued a deep and rich interior by paying close attention to detail, such as in the use of colour in design and as in ornamentation. I think the styling makes it possible to feel the maturation of the fun of driving."
Shame it's not coming here. Maybe we should start some kind of petition?