The 2014 Lexus IS is expected to make its official debut at the 2013 NAIAS in Detroit
08-07-12, 12:11 PM
#91
...The IS really needs a new body, not just a new chassis from the new GS, to be competitive, because its rear passenger room really needs a total body redesign to be brought up to par. Leave the coupe profile to a real coupe I say. 4-door sedans are supposed to seat 4 adults in reasonable comfort, and not being to do so is the biggest weakness in the current (and the 1st) generation of the IS IMHO. A new powertrain/drivetrain would be nice but isn't as imminently necessary as a new body design and packaging.
The IS is designed for the young entry level lux buyer, a typical couple with at most couple of babies. It has been the best seller in that and no reason to change it. Mazda changed the 2003 Mazda6 to be larger based upon vocal feedback such as yours and Mazda did not listen to the folks who did not ask for it. The sales number drop of the current Mazda6 speaks for themselves.
The GS is the step up if you want a couple with 2 teen/adult kids in the back seat.
The ES is the setup if you want to just use the car as a fill-it-up with bodies.
08-07-12, 12:18 PM
#92
Lexus Champion
Valid point but both the new generations of the GS and ES also had leg room increases. Hence, I expect a next-generation IS to follow in that same approach as well 
08-07-12, 12:35 PM
#94
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I will have to disagree with you here. very respectfully I might add.
The IS is designed for the young entry level lux buyer, a typical couple with at most couple of babies. It has been the best seller in that and no reason to change it. Mazda changed the 2003 Mazda6 to be larger based upon vocal feedback such as yours and Mazda did not listen to the folks who did not ask for it. The sales number drop of the current Mazda6 speaks for themselves.
The GS is the step up if you want a couple with 2 teen/adult kids in the back seat.
The ES is the setup if you want to just use the car as a fill-it-up with bodies.
The IS is designed for the young entry level lux buyer, a typical couple with at most couple of babies. It has been the best seller in that and no reason to change it. Mazda changed the 2003 Mazda6 to be larger based upon vocal feedback such as yours and Mazda did not listen to the folks who did not ask for it. The sales number drop of the current Mazda6 speaks for themselves.
The GS is the step up if you want a couple with 2 teen/adult kids in the back seat.
The ES is the setup if you want to just use the car as a fill-it-up with bodies.
Last edited by ydooby; 08-07-12 at 12:43 PM.
08-07-12, 12:51 PM
#97
even an inch more would be very helpful... so would carving out of back of the seats. I am sure they can optimize it better.
We went for UEFA 2012 to Poland - 2500 miles all together, 4 of us in my IS220d and it was barely possible. We were big guys too.... But I think even few inches would do wonders...
We went for UEFA 2012 to Poland - 2500 miles all together, 4 of us in my IS220d and it was barely possible. We were big guys too.... But I think even few inches would do wonders...
08-07-12, 01:46 PM
#100
Thanks for the info. Wife and I were looking at IS350s and if we stretched the budget, IS-F, but looks like were gonna wait a few more months. Would love to get a cheaper IS350 when the new gen comes out!
08-07-12, 01:50 PM
#101
the GS didn't grow any exterior but better use of space for more rear cabin space. i hope they can do the same on the IS. but yes, IS needs to improve on space, otherwise it's completely stupid to have 4 doors, let alone losing to 3 and c so badly on rear space
08-07-12, 04:13 PM
#102
its good for kids, like for me... but once in a month I might need more than 2 adults space so it really would be good to have it more optimized. Those front seats are huge and have a nice seating position, so I hope they dont mess too much with that.
08-07-12, 05:09 PM
#103
I almost don't want it to look good. The second this car bows, our 2IS's will officially be yesterday's news and the itch to have a new one begins. I've said it a million times to myeslf, "hold on to a car for once and save money." But once a new model debuts, that idea always goes out the door. I've been saying this to myself since I first started driving. Thanks a lot Lexus. 
I've probably shown this picture a billion times, but does it look anything like this? This is the only car shown in the Lexus teasers that doesn't match any other spindle grille model that's been unveiled, unless it's a totally different vehicle. I don't believe Lexus would include a fake car in a teaser, so hopefully it was genuine.
Thanks for all the info Hoovey.
Can you just tell us if based on what you saw whether the "same body" remark from the quote in the OP is true or not. So far from your wording it still kind of sounds like the new IS is going to be a major facelift a la the new LS where the biggest differences are in the front and rear. The IS really needs a new body, not just a new chassis from the new GS, to be competitive, because its rear passenger room really needs a total body redesign to be brought up to par. Leave the coupe profile to a real coupe I say. 4-door sedans are supposed to seat 4 adults in reasonable comfort, and not being to do so is the biggest weakness in the current (and the 1st) generation of the IS IMHO. A new powertrain/drivetrain would be nice but isn't as imminently necessary as a new body design and packaging.
Can you just tell us if based on what you saw whether the "same body" remark from the quote in the OP is true or not. So far from your wording it still kind of sounds like the new IS is going to be a major facelift a la the new LS where the biggest differences are in the front and rear. The IS really needs a new body, not just a new chassis from the new GS, to be competitive, because its rear passenger room really needs a total body redesign to be brought up to par. Leave the coupe profile to a real coupe I say. 4-door sedans are supposed to seat 4 adults in reasonable comfort, and not being to do so is the biggest weakness in the current (and the 1st) generation of the IS IMHO. A new powertrain/drivetrain would be nice but isn't as imminently necessary as a new body design and packaging.trunk is pathetic, held 1 tire lmao. 2 wheels front seat, 2 rear, 2 tires rear, 1 tire on my center console
08-07-12, 06:11 PM
#104
I am interested to see if IS300h actually has 240hp as they told me... what backs it up is that it will be 5k more expensive than 250 in Europe, while we know ES300h is only 2k more than ES350.
but we will see.. personally, for europe, 200hp is more than enough.
08-07-12, 06:13 PM
#105
Since the back seat and trunk are both small, Lexus should at least offer the option of 60/40 folding rear seats! Lexus always mentions structural rigidity, but I feel like this is their old SUV's are too high for HID's excuse (and now the GX and LX have HID's). If BMW, Mercedes, and Audi can figure out how to have optional folding rear seats on the M3, C63 AMG and RS4, I think the structure can be made stiff enough.