LOL yes i understand that. Im just saying they will keep the same generation if sales are still within reach and if NOT, they will release the newer generation thats already been sitting & waiting on the table

 

damit I so wanted the 8-track option

 

Actually, a landau package with a fake spare tire on the trunk would look slick. De Sade all the way!

 

Yes, so some do 5 year cycles, some do not. Lexus, generally, does not. The only reason the ES does is that it follows the Camry...all other Lexus cars are non-toyota platforms.


The last gen IS was 98-05 in Japan, 99-05 in Europe...it only came to the US in 2000 (as an 01) but the platform itself ran considerably more than 5 years. The US model only ran a 5 year cycle because they introduced the vehicle in this market later, the vehicle platform itself was 7 years.... consistent with just about all other RWD Lexus cars as I listed.



Further, the IS-C just came out, they're not going to only run 1 year of production on it. It'll be minimum of 3...a typical Lexus schedule is 6-7 year cycles with a facelift about halfway... the facelift for the sedan was 09, so they'll at least produce 09-11 models on that run.

Hence we're not going to see a 3rd gen IS any earlier than as a 2012 model unless Lexus significantly changes what it's done on every RWD car its built in the last 10-15+ years.


FYI- Motortrend seems to agree with me-
http://www.motortrend.com/features/a...#ixzz0ZDkQ0tHh

New GS and IS in 2011 calendar year, which would make em 2012 models.

Though their mention of a GS with an IS250 motor envisions a frighteningly slow car.

 

Since we are speculating, I expect model year 2012 to be the year of the new IS.

 

I myself am not a fan of the interior of the RX. And i rather have a touch screen navi.. I wonder why Lexus/Toyota is starting to make the change?

 

Don't be surprised if you guys see LED powered headlights like in the LS sedan. Also i have a feeling the AWD based variant of the IS will increase horsepower to compete with the 3 series and a4. I mean come on lexus, the 250 needs more ponies! =)

 

Agreed and the Benz C300 AWD in the US.

 

Does anyone know when Lexus is planning on making any major body changes to the IS250? I am in the market to buy one, but if this is the last year they are planning on making this body style I can wait to see the new style. Thanks

- Kross

 

There's been a ton of chatter about this recently. Some say the new model will be out as a 2011 and others say 2012. There's just no telling what Lexus has up it's sleeve right now. The 2IS could be a five or six-year model.
Personally I think they should have a new model for MY 2011 and keep it up to date like Infiniti and BMW does, but who knows. Either way, a new 2010 IS is only going to be "fresh" for a maximum of 1.5 years.

 

The new 3IS in StarfirePearl:

 

Either this fall (fall 2010) or next fall (fall 2011) the next IS will be out...

 

it has been four or so years, so a new redesign isnt far from production. as sexy as the current 2IS looks, i too am curious to see what sort of total redesign lexus has in store. im not just talking adding side mirror turn signals or changing up the taillights, but rather an entire makeover. i was really taken surprise when i saw the 07 m3 in comparison to the 08/09 design. very well done, mainly because it was a different look. as always, lexus will not let us down in design (look how beautiful the LFA and the LF-Ch prototype look).

 

Like others have said, no one knows for sure.

But the general consensus is the car should debut in early 2011 for sale in late 2011 as a model year 2012. (quoted from PhilipMSPT)

Here's a thread from April with some good thoughts in it.

3rd Gen IS speculation thread

 

It'll be interesting to see what they do considering they just came out with the IS-C. I can't imagine that they put all that time and money in a car just for it to be a 2 year production run

edit: FYI--> written before reading Kurtz's post on the other thread.