2013 Lexus IS revealed: aggressive design for premium mid-sizer

The highly anticipated third-generation Lexus IS comes eight years after the launch of the outgoing second-gen model, and sports the most dramatic expression of the Japanese car maker’s new design language on a production car to date.

Drawing inspiration from the Lexus LF-CC concept that debuted at last September’s Paris motor show, the 2013 Lexus IS boasts an aggressive ‘spindle’ grille, distinctive headlights with detached LEDs, prominent side skirts and piercing tail-lights in a design that is worlds apart from its traditional mid-sized German rivals.

The Lexus IS350 F Sport pictured here sports an exclusive grille and front bumper, as well as a bespoke interior with a perforated leather steering wheel and sports seats, metallic panel inserts, aluminium pedals and scuff plates, and a driver’s meter with moving centre ring like that found in the Lexus LFA supercar.

With a longer wheelbase and increased width, Lexus says the new IS offers improved accessibility and best-in-class knee room for rear-seat passengers, as well as 60:40 split folding rear seats – giving the new car greater cargo-carrying flexibility than the fixed-backrest model it replaces.

Lexus has confirmed the IS250 and IS350 models will be joined in the new line-up by the Lexus IS300h – the first hybrid in the nameplate’s history, which Lexus says will be available in “Europe, Japan and other international markets”.

The third-gen Lexus IS range is set to reach Australian showrooms in mid to late 2013. The conventional non-hybrid models are locked in for our market, although at this stage Lexus Australia has not finalised its plans for the IS300h, suggesting the third more fuel-efficient variant may arrive sometime after the initial launch.

Full details of the all-new 2013 Lexus IS will be revealed following its Detroit debut next Wednesday morning AEST.

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