Lexus Has Revealed an Updated IS at the Beijing Auto Show

By Chris Chase

Apr 25, 2016

Summary

Lexus refreshes IS sedan with more aggressive styling, improved interior

Lexus today pulled the covers off a refreshed IS sedan wearing a "transformed" front end that frames an evolution of the brand's spindle grille between new headlights and a bumper that visually lowers the car's centre of gravity.

The new front lighting accentuates the L-shaped daytime running lights, the updated grille better blends into the hood and air intakes in that new front bumper give the car a more aggressive look. Other new cues include a character line that runs along the side of the bodywork.

F-Sport models get a trim-specific grille in a three-dimensional pattern that incorporates functional brake cooling ducts.

At the rear, taillights sport bolder L-shaped elements and there are rectangular chrome exhaust tips highlight the car's "sporting nature."

Inside, the IS' multimedia display screen has been upsized to 10.3 inches from last year's seven-inch display, and remote touch interface has been revised to make it easier to use, new centre stack materials give the car a better-looking, higher-quality appearance and a stitched cover on the gauge cluster hood.

Mechanically, the IS is unchanged. It can be had with a choice of a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the rear-wheel drive IS 200t, and two models powered by a 3.5L V6: the IS 300 AWD and the IS 350 AWD. As before, the IS 200t boasts 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque while the IS 300 gets 255 hp and 236 lb-ft and the IS 350's V6 is good for 306 hp and 277 lb-ft. Four-cylinder models use an eight-speed automatic transmission, and V6 cars get a six-speed.

Lexus doesn't give an on-sale date, but we expect the redesigned IS to go on sale later this year as a 2017 model.

Meet the Author

As a child, Chris spent most of his time playing with toy cars in his parents’ basement or making car sounds while riding his bicycle. Now he's an award-winning Algonquin College Journalism grad who has been playing with real cars that make their own noises since the early 2000s.