Lexus Debuts the All-New 2021 IS Sports Sedan
(Photo Credit: Lexus)
Lexus has premiered an all-new IS for the 2021 model year, with heavy focus placed on improved driving dynamics and sharp styling
The current-generation Lexus IS has been in production since 2013, and much has changed in these seven years. Competitors BMW and Mercedes have already launched their new 3 Series and C-Class models for sale in Singapore since 2019.
Here are some key features that Singaporean buyers will enjoy when Lexus introduces the all-new IS to our market in the fourth quarter of this year:
Lexus Driving Signature
(Photo Credit: Lexus)
The IS is the first Lexus model to be developed on the new Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama test facility, which has been designed through experience gained from Lexus’ many years of testing its cars on Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife, a industry standard-defining test track used for chassis development by multiple brands.
The new test facility allows Lexus to heighten focus on tuning of the chassis and its interactions with the control surfaces.
Lexus’ goal is to develop the same driving dynamics throughout all the cars in its range, and it has set forth to deliver a new generation of Lexus vehicles that are “more balanced, refined in control, and confident than ever before”, with “linear steering, brake responses, and optimized handling with exceptional ride quality”.
To that end, the new IS boasts enhanced body rigidity, which not only improves handling, but also reduces unwanted noise and vibration. Lexus has also revised the suspension design for the 2021 IS to give it both better handling and ride comfort.
Interior Enhancements
The interior of the 2021 Lexus IS follows the familiar design of the current-generation IS, although it now boasts a touchscreen media interface as opposed to the non-touch interface on the outgoing IS.
(Photo Credit: Lexus)
The updated interior comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, although vehicles equipped with navigation or Mark Levinson with navigation can have a 10.3-inch touchscreen. The screen is also now nearly 3-inches closer to the driver, to facilitate touch controls.
The media system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, and interestingly, it also has Amazon Alexa integration.
Larger Size
(Photo Credit: Lexus)
The 2021 IS is still built on the same platform as the outgoing model. However, at 4,705mm and 1,840mm, it is both 30mm longer and wider compared to its predecessor, although the wheelbase remains the same as 2,800mm.
Enhanced Safety
Features from the Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) have been enhanced, and some key features have also been added, culminating in LSS+ 2.5 in the new IS.
For example, the Pre-Collision System (PCS) has been improved to recognise pedestrians and cyclists when PCS is activated.
Drivetrain
(Photo Credit: Lexus)
Drivetrain options remain the same as on the outgoing IS. This means an IS300 with a 2.0 litre turbo engine churning out 241hp and 350nm of torque mated to an 8-speed transmission, and the IS350 with a naturally-aspirated 3.5 litre engine producing 311hp and 380nm of torque coupled to the same 8-speed transmission.
The IS350 is capable of a century sprint in just 5.6 seconds.
In Summary
(Photo Credit: Lexus)
The new IS features the same platform and engine options, and a similar interior design to the outgoing model.
The main focus of this new model seems to be centred on improved driving dynamics, or as Lexus would term it, the “Lexus Driving Signature”.
No pricing and engine specifications are available yet for the Singapore market, but just from the razor-sharp design alone, we are already excited for the IS’ arrival on Singapore shores in the fourth quarter of this year.
What remains to be seen is if it is capable of squaring up to or surpassing its German rivals, which we hope to test when the car hits the Singapore market.
Source: Lexus
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