Lexus is well known for its innovative and often market-leading automobiles, which keep car enthusiasts excited around the globe. One of the most iconic builds from the company, which was also a pioneer in the sports sedan niche, was the 2006 Lexus IS.
This car delivered unparalleled power and a fantastic design to support it. The 'IS' stands for Intelligent Sport, and the cars in this line truly justify the title. The car established a trend with its release in 2000 as it was the first sedan by Lexus to have a front-engine rear-wheel-drive (FR) configuration.
With two successful decades behind it, Lexus is all set to launch its 2022 IS model, and here's a glimpse at how it has evolved through the ages to establish a powerful presence.
The Car's Glorious Origins
Inspired by the Toyota Altezza, the Lexus IS was designed by Nobuaki Katayama and finally unveiled in the year 2000 with the 2001 model. The car had the newly inculcated FR drivetrain, which inspired all sedans produced by Lexus since. The car also had the signature Lexus tail lights, which can still be spotted in the current generation of Lexus cars. The IS was the first to have internal lamps with clear or tinted acrylic coating. The car performed better than most of its competitors, and its sleek design became the reason behind the car's constant appearance in Japanese manga and anime.
In 2002, the Lexus IS was designed with enhanced boot space to make the car more viable to the general public and widen the car's buyer demographic. 2006 was an important year in the car's development as it received the much-needed re-design from its new designer, Suguya Fukusato. The new design made the chassis sleeker and reduced the drag coefficient significantly while also boosting the effective power output. This year also saw the car's official release in Japan.
In the following year, this powerhouse was further improved with the inclusion of the 350C, a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivered an astonishing 311 HP. This meant that the car could now complete a 0 to 60 sprint in a mere 5.6 seconds. Another upgrade for the engine was the 350F which made the metric even more impressive by completing the 60 mph mark in just 4.6 seconds. By this time, the Lexus IS was zooming past its competition like the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes C-Class, which had a maximum power output of around 250 HP.
With the masses making a shift in the choice of sports cars, from sedans to SUVs, Lexus shifted its focus from power to design for the Lexus IS.
The Small Yet Significant Upgrades
The addition of the 350F engine was the only significant change made to the Lexus IS for a long time after 2007. Interestingly, the "F" stands for Fuji International Speedway, which is the standard testing ground for the IS and GS series of the company. Till 2020, this track saw the same engine running on these tracks.
However, in the year 2009, the carmaker made a massive development in the car's design with the release of its first 2-door, convertible Lexus IS 350. This car was a massive hit as it catered to the world market's growing interest in convertible sedans that delivered moderate power. In 2013, the next major upgrade was seen as the car was equipped with a higher-performing 5-liter V6 engine that pumped out more power than its 3.5-liter predecessor.
Until 2021, the Japanese automaker majorly focused on improving the safety and design features, and in a way, was prepping for the release of 2022 Lexus IS 500F Sports. The near-stagnant run of the company from 2013 till 2020 is considered as the testing period to utilize the maximum potential of this automobile and roll out its best version.
The 2022 Lexus IS 500F Sports
The newest addition to the IS family is the first "F Sport" model of the Lexus IS and is the company's first as well. The car has a 5-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine that propels this machine to be staggering fast. The car achieved a better 0-60 mph sprint, measuring at a mere 4.5 seconds. The Custom Mode is also available in this automobile, which offers multiple combinations for powertrain (Normal/Eco/Power), chassis (Normal/Sport), and air conditioner (Normal/Eco). All of this is achieved while keeping the car eco-friendly along with impressive fuel efficiency and a mileage of 24 MPG, which is commendable for a high-performing sports sedan.
Owing to all the testing the preceding years, Lexus achieved a build with a state-of-the-art safety system that the company calls Lexus Safety System+. This mechanism employs some highly advanced tech like cameras and micro-radars to analyze the surroundings and provides Pre-Collision Detection, including Frontal Collision Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection, and Bicyclist Detection.
Lexus is yet to release a detailed list of the latest generation IS's specifications which have already garnered a large fan following. However, from all that is known, it can be safe to say that the future of Lexus IS seems to be as bright as its legacy over the years.