Lexus IS facelift/hybrid spy photos
May 11, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Our European photographers took these photos of what appears to be a heavily disguised Lexus IS undergoing speed tests at the German Nürburgring.
Although similar in shape to the current model, there are hints of differentiation, the current IS series, which in Australia only includes the IS250, has been on the market since late 2005 and should be getting ready for a facelift.
Given the heavy disguise it’s hard to tell whether the headlight and taillamps have changed, but the bulge on the bonnet leads us to believe the actual prototype is a test mule for an IS variant featuring Lexus’ Hybrid Synergy Drive.
The BMW M3 and Audi RS4 competitor, the Lexus IS-F should be arriving soon. The IS-F will pack a 5.0-litre V8, good for around 300kW. It will put its power down through the rear wheels using an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Lexus will also bring the IS coupe/convertible to Australia later in the year.
Toyota’s luxury arm is also working on a smaller and cheaper Lexus model to compete in the bottom end of the luxury market (against the 1-series). However that won’t be here for a few more years.
Print it: 
Not much differences!
Most luxury cars don’t dynamically change in design for the life cycle of the vehicle (eg. Merc C-Class), as it ensures the resale value remains high.
why are they testing it on the ring? is it a hybrid/performance car or somethin?
Well regardless of what it is, The Ring is always a good place to get an idea of where a car stands and what can be done to improve it’s capabilities.
In terms of the above IS however, if it is a hybrid, Lexus aim for “performance hybrid’s” and they hit the mark pretty well (GS450h put’s down the power of a V8 [think faster than GS430]).
I heard and then saw an Audi RS4 on the road the other day. Just beautiful. Aesthetically and audibly. If I was (or rather when I will be) in the market for a vehicle of this nature, I would be hard pressed to pass up the Audi and take the Toyota offering shown here…
sorry, meant to say the ‘Lexus’ offering shown here… of course.
And youve seen an IS? Sounds like something a child would say…’oh oh i saw this particular thing, i want it i want it1′. If you were in the market for these cars, youd know doubt have more intelligence, in which case youd test drive them all and realise the IS wins!
They should get the IS350 here to compete with the turbo BMW.
In your Toyotaphile opinion TP. ;)
The only problem with Japanese cars is they do seems to upgrade all to frequently. Not much loyalty.
Those bumps, nothing to do with pedestrian safety stuff, bad example if it is.
Someone comparing the RS4 to the IS250?
Whats next?
FlyingHigh,
RS4’s are completely different level.
The IS250 is best value in comparison to its competiton which would be the A4 and sub 80K Mercs, BMs, and Audis… with much less power and performance.
Heck S series is in the 90K+ range… about 30K more than the IS250… I dont see the comparison at all…
If your buying a sub 65~70K luxury, IS250 is up there for value.
It’s an IS250 endurance racer, not a face lift or hybrid as this and many other web sites speculated.
facelifted their copy to keep it more in line with BMW/Mercedes/Audi…they needed to add a couple of recent design tips from the these Euro automotive guru’s to try and stay on the same football ground. Shame it will fail almost as many times at Toyota’s F1 team!!
blah blah blah.. whaaaa whaaa whaaaa
just get a car & stop b*tchn about those other cars you people don’t even own. But yet are so highly critical and thrash it down. Ex: Lexus IS
I don’t have a Lexus, might buy one someday jus keepn dat open… Nothing rides or stunts like my E63AMG, again driven many luxury whips.(my opinion)
Oh for all the Toyota *ahem* I mean Lexus haters… They are poised to become #1 automaker like *jeopardy chimes* rite now. Well in a few months.. Toyota/Lexus don’t give a sh*t if you hate their cars. Because in the real world Billions of people are loyal and love their product. So what people say don’t even affect Toyota/Lexus owners. Cus their cars will live longer than most of us.
P’s
Audi? u mean VolksVAAAAGEN?
Sorry Audi owners but Audi fell off when Lexus rose to higher social acceptance. Sorry Audi/VW b*tches
If you drive an Audi here, nobody even pays attention even if they make something better & better lookin than BMW M3 or C63 AMG. Social Status Ranking is now way behind Lexus. Audi here is not even consider ‘Stuntin or Ballin’ anymore. In other words “IT AIN’T STUNTIN B*TCH!”
Ok EVIL Knievel, Lexus….about to??? like saying Toyota is about to win an F1 race! I suppose coming 3rd is a pretty good result…given how much money and how many people led to it eh??LOL shame the majority of Lexus (just another name for Toyota) owners are NOT CAR ENTHUSIASTS so who give a flying phuck what they think/buy!!!Also who buys are car for social status? People who feel they need to prove something!!! Who are they proving it to?? Most people could care less about that. Better to spend your money on property or shares mate! Shame that Lexus/Toyota still has an appliance rating that closely resembles a fridge!!! LOL
I think the IS250 is an awesome looking car. Mark over here seems to be calling it a ‘fridge’? Open your eyes, this car is one of the better looking cars out there. To be honest I hate the look of the new 3 series beemer for example. People seem to be comparing it to all the top of the line beemers and audis etc without realising that the Lexus is good 30K cheaper! If you were to spend X amoutn of money, and had a choice, you;d get a lot more with the IS250.
Another thing that bothers me are the people who critisize a car, without actually test driving it. If you opened up your senses, and taken one for a drive, you’d realise how well this car handles and how nice this car is to drive. This particular IS250 may not have as many balls as the sports versions of the 3 series, or A4, but neither do the lower end beemers and audis. Compare apples with apples, and refer to the IS-F next time when you feel like comparing the base model IS to the sports versions.
I bought an IS250 recently. After looking at the Audi, and Beemer, for the amount of money I was spending, the IS is top value, period. Take it for a drive, you will enjoy it!