Anybody have any inkling if the 09 IS will be refreshed like the 09 BMW 3 Series Sedan will be. Has anybody heard or read anything concrete? That spy pic of the IS with camouflage does not show anything different from the current IS in the front or rear bumper, as far as I can tell. Current cars like the Acura TL have had no refresh, although it will be completely redesigned in 09, but a car like the Audi A4 is notorious for being refreshed in mid-cycle. Anybody know anything?

 

It has been discussed, the IS is due for some minor exterior updates for 2009. Toyota/Lexus is nitorious for keeping things hush-hush until the last minute.

 

Not to be a smart ***, but then how do you know if it's so hush hush. Do you have concrete proof of this?? An article, column, story etc?

 

Well Toyota/Lexus has always been known to do some minor facelifts/change on their cars after 3-4 years of existence, that would be it for the IS.

 

Nobody really knows right now, but there is some speculation/ rumors going around.

 

There's articles, spyshots and trademarks so....I'm guessing it's going to happen.

 

Well, the 3GS came out for 2006, and was refreshed for 2008. But it became available about a year prior to the 2IS (the 3GS 2006 model was on sale starting February 2005).

The 2IS came out for 2006 (sales started September 2005), and will most likely be refreshed by 2009.

 

It will be interesting to see exactly what they "refresh" for 09.

 

thought this was interesting

 

The first article was before the 2IS even came out in 2005, not about the refresh. Most likely the 2009 2IS will get new wheels, maybe IS-F taillights and some minor changes interior-wise. Lexus has never done drastic mid-model changes except replacing the 3GS GS300 with GS350 and GS430 with GS460 but that was because those engines were in the 2GS prior.

The IS coupe/convertible is still likely but there's no official word and it is kinda weird to introduce them in the model's 4th year...

 

^^ agree'd but i remember seeing somehwere that Toyota coined a trademark for the naems IS 350C and IS250C a couple months back? deffinatly a sign of something to come

 

Take a look at the center stack on the dash. Different - more GS looking.

 

I'm not sure what exactly will change for 2009, but my dealer confirmed a refresh. Nearly every Lexus model has received minor updates, such as new bumpers, taillights, etc., in year 4 and the IS will be no different.

As for the TL, it was indeed refreshed for 2007. It got clear taillights, a new front bumper, turn signals in the mirrors, the Type-S option and more.

Finally that IS article, as was mentioned, is from 2005. The interior "photo" was an illustration based on the actual interior.

 

I found an article on a website that has caught and photographed an IS under some camo doing laps at the nurburgring which can be found at this link: http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080509....at-nurburgring. It seems to be very recent so who knows.

Here's some pics that accompany that article as well:




They did a cool paint job that goes from white and blends into blue.

 

That's a track-specific IS250. Has nothing to do with the 2009 IS changes (if any)