Today we can thank the Chinese for allowing the world to take a sneak peak at the newest Lexus IS model, as today first images of the car were leaked on to the internet.Set to make its public debut at next week’s Detroit Motor Show, the revamped IS borrows some of its styling cues from the LF-CC, including the now familiar spindle grille and a coupe-like roofline. Both head and taillights have received the LED treatment, while the sides show a resemblance with the GS.
The model seen here is an F Sport variant (not to be confused with the high-performance IS F), which means it features an aerodynamic kit, taller alloy wheels, a bespoke finish for the grille, a lowered suspension and tuned chassis along with a sportier trimmed interior, while keeping the same powerplant(s) a in the standard IS. There will be three other flavors with the IS 250 gets buyers in the door, while the IS 350 is the higher-performance model. A hybrid in the form of the IS 300h will be offered in Europe, Japan and other select markets to start.
There aren’t any confirmed details about the engine lineup, but a V6 2.5-liter with 200+ hp and a V6 3.5-liter with 300 plus hp are almost a certainty. A hybridized version with a 4-cylinder, 2.5-liter pushing out approximately 240 hp is also very real possibility. We are also anticipating all gas only engines to be paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, with a CVT being used in the Hybrid model.
Inside, the 2014 Lexus IS truly does appear to be influenced by the now-retired LFA supercar, even if it is only in the instrument cluster. In the center stack and you’ll see the AC temperature controls are electrostatic, meaning you swipe up or down to change the temperature. The 2014 Lexus IS will also debut with subscription-free real-time traffic and weather information as standard on cars with and without a navigation system, thanks to a partnership with the developer of HD Radio.
While we’re still curious to see what a normal 2014 Lexus IS 250 looks like inside and out, as from the looks of the F-Sport Lexus is about to hit a home run, at least style wise. Now lets see if the car’s ride and handling can compete with the big German three and make an impression on the segment of the market that is in the market for purchasing a sporty mid size sedan.