Lexus Premieres New Lexus 'IS' Sports Sedan at Detroit Auto Show

Toyota City, Japan, January 15, 2013―Lexus unveiled the new, fully-redesigned "IS" sports sedan at the North American International Auto Show 2013¹, which opened on January 14 in Detroit, United States. The vehicle is due for launch in Japan in spring.

The adoption of new technologies gives the new IS outstanding cruising performance with a sporty interior and exterior design, while to the IS lineup has been introduced the "IS 300h" gasoline-electric hybrid model―boasting exceptional environmental performance―signifying the further evolution of Lexus sports sedans.

IS 350 (North American specifications)

The Lexus display booth at the show was also completely updated based on Lexus' unique design philosophy, with refinement presented through the adoption of natural-scenery motifs and the display vehicles' sleek designs emphasized by the booth's straight lines.

New IS Main Features

Outstanding Intuitive Performance

New production technology such as laser screw welding―which combines the strengths of conventional spot welding and laser welding―and body-bonding adhesives have increased body rigidity for excellent maneuverability and cruising stability.

A new "F Sport" grade boasts numerous exclusive features such as F Sport tuned suspension and interior and exterior design, and also exclusive equipment such as a movable instrument cluster inherited from the Lexus "LFA" supercar and sport seats made through a new "integrated foaming" production process.

The "IS 350" features a new 8-speed automatic transmission that provides smooth acceleration with high responsiveness.

World-Leading Technology

The newly introduced IS 300h hybrid model features a 2.5-liter 2AR-FSE engine with D-4S² next-generation fuel injection system for high fuel efficiency and high output with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions below 100 g/km, thereby achieving the environment-friendly high performance driving representative of Lexus.

In addition to control through the Remote Touch interface, audio, navigation and other information can now be viewed through multi-screen displays located within the instrument cluster for even greater convenience and ease-of-operation.

The new IS is also the first Lexus vehicle to feature a pop-up hood, which, in the unfortunate event of a collision with a pedestrian, is designed to instantaneously pop up to create space between the hood and the engine to mitigate impact force on the pedestrian's head.

Design Befitting a Lexus Sport Sedan

The new IS features a bold and sporty exterior design with Lexus' signature spindle grille, headlamps accented with independent L-shaped clearance lamps, and sharply expressive surfaces.

The interior has been revamped to combine comfort and elegance, with increased room providing enhanced rear-seat comfort. Meanwhile, the new leveled-design instrument panel's layout contributes to driving operability.

New Lexus IS Key Specifications

		IS 250	IS 350	IS 300h^*1
Length		4,665 mm
Width		1,430 mm
Height		1,810 mm
Wheelbase		2,800 mm
Seating capacity		5
Driveline		Rear-wheel drive/ all-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive/ all-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive
Engine	Type	2.5-liter V6	3.5-liter V6	2.5-liter four-cylinder inline
	Maximum output	152 kW [204 hp]/ 6,400 rpm	228 kW [306 hp]/ 6,400 rpm	130 kW [174 hp]/ 6,400 rpm
	Maximum torque	250 N-m [25.5 kgf-m]/ 4,800 rpm	375 N-m [38.2 kgf-m]/ 4,800 rpm	215 N-m [21.9kgf-m]/ 4,400 rpm
Motor	Maximum output	―	―	105 kW [141 ps]
	Maximum torque	―	―	300 N-m [30.6 kgf-m]
Complete system^*2	Maximum output	―	―	162 kW [220 hp]
Transmission		6 Super ECT^*3	8 Speed Sport Direct Shift (rear-wheel drive)/ 6 Super ECT^*3 (all-wheel drive)	Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission
^1Europe specifications; ^2Using both engine power and electric motor power (based on TMC calculations); ^*3Super Intelligent, Electronically controlled, Six-speed Automatic Transmission

¹Press Preview: January 14-15; Industry Preview: January 16-17; Charity Preview: January 18; Public Show: January 19-27.
²Direct injection 4-stroke gasoline engine, superior version

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IS 350

'IS 300h' Hybrid Model Added to Lineup

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