A fresh-faced Lexus IS arrives at the Beijing Auto Show with some added boldness to its already striking appearance.
The update to the third generation Lexus IS focuses primarily on the front end design, tweaked to make it more aggressive as well as to better match its stable mates such as the GS and RC.
Where the updated IS outdoes both is in the air intakes. It’s the first thing you notice – large gapes that flank Lexus’ large spindle grille. The headlights have also been redesigned too, however the daytime running lights from the pre-facelift model looks to have remained.
To add to the aggressive fascia, the bonnet as also been reshaped and the F-Sport variant gains a metallic-coated 3D F-mesh pattern grille with working brake ducts.
Moving to the rear of the car, the new IS’ tail lamps have also been tweaked and the exhaust tips are chromed and has a more rectangular shape.
Inside the new IS, there’s even less to make the casual observer notice. However, those paying close attention should be alerted to the larger 10.3-inch infotainment display that now features a higher resolution over the older car’s 7-incher.
Lexus has also fitted their new IS with their Safety System +, a suite that includes pre-collision detection/prevention, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beam.
So far as we know, Lexus has remained with the current IS’ range of available engines and transmissions: the IS200t would like get the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with 180kW/350Nm, a hybrid IS300h with a combined 164kW/300Nm, or an IS350 with 233kW/378Nm from its naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6.
Should everything go to plan, Australia should see the arrival of the updated Lexus IS some time in 2017 where the Japanese premium marque hopes it will better arm the model to compete with rivals such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class as well as newer entrants like the Jaguar XE.
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