Press Release
Long version
DESIGN & EXECUTION
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Second production vehicle featuring the new L-finesse design philosophy
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Minimal protrusion bodywork with substantial reduction in exterior component gaps
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New generation interior combining unparalleled build quality with Lexus luxury and ergonomic excellence Increased wheel base for enhanced passenger accommodation
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Advanced, interior and exterior illumination incorporating LED technology
Representing a new design approach implemented for the first time in the next generation GS, the new IS dynamic sedan is the second road-going iteration of L-finesse, the unique Lexus design philosophy.
Integral to Lexus’ ceaseless quest for perfection, L-finesse is a ground-breaking design strategy deeply rooted in Japanese culture, with references drawn from the timeless heritage of true Japanese design iconography, both ancient and modern. L-finesse informs every aspect of the next generation IS, its complex rationale not only reflected in both the interior and exterior design of the new Lexus, but also in the development of strong visual synergies between the two.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
The next generation IS marries the elegance of powerful, sweeping lines with an intriguing contrast of convex and concave surfacing which reinforces the central tenets of the L-finesse philosophy. The resultant purity of overall form is complimented by a substantial reduction in exterior component gaps – those between bumpers and adjacent body panels having been reduced to just 0.35 mm.
To the front, a trademark, vertically latticed grille instantly identifies the new IS as a dynamic member of the Lexus marque; its wide track and prominent wheel arches combine with short front and rear overhangs to give the car a low centre of gravity and a broad, robust yet sophisticated appearance. The aggressive, twin-barrel headlamp clusters are positioned on a higher plane than the grille itself. This carefully considered disposition of the key frontal elements will become a unique characteristic of future Lexus models, focusing the eye at the very apex of the vehicle to strengthen the impression of speed and agility.
In profile, tight shoulders and a wide side surface support a steeply raked windscreen and a “C” pillar glazing motif inspired by “Kirikaeshi”, a symbol of traditional Japanese culture that expresses dynamism through a rapid, yet fluid change of direction, creating an analogy to Japanese calligraphy or the movement of a Samurai sword. This strong “arrowhead” motif will become a key future styling element to the Lexus marque.
Astern, splayed rear wheel arches taper into a short rear overhang topped with powerful LED lamp clusters. The unique sporting design graphic of the rear lamp cluster reflects an elegance central to the L-finesse philosophy, and once more sets a precedent for the styling of future Lexus models. The IS’s widespread adoption of external LED illumination to stop, clearance and licence plate lights not only provides a sharper, more refined light source, but also increases lamp life and promotes energy saving – 50% in the case of license plate illumination.
The next generation IS will be available in a range of ten colours, of which two are exclusive to this model. Four ‘character’ premium quality paint finishes have been specifically developed to embody the Lexus L-finesse design philosophy reflected in the exterior styling: Glacial Blue has an enhanced brilliance under strong sunlight, Ice Blue emphasises the contrasts in convex and concave surfacing, Desert Sage Green, unique to the new Lexus IS, offers subtle changes in hue reflecting the maturity of a Lexus saloon, and Morello Red, a wet, glossy look with outstanding depth, is a multi-layer finish employing aluminium for the first base coat and artificial mica for the second, resulting in highlight brilliance and a greater change of colour intensity from highlight to shade.
The IS grille generates a powerful coachwork line which highlights the clean muscular bonnet surface before sweeping seamlessly into the windscreen pillar. An adjacent concave surface stretches between bonnet and wheel arch to reinforce the car’s wide, dynamic front stance, and is punctuated by a new, sporting, door-mounted mirror design as it flows into the narrowing belt line.
INTERIOR DESIGN
On board, the L-finesse design philosophy is perfectly reflected in a stunning new interior, which once more combines convex and concave surfaces; the former denoting control functions such as the centre console switchgear and engine start button, the latter accommodating driver and passengers. The seamless, dynamic flow of the door panel surfaces into the dashboard culminate with the projecting instrument binnacle, the focal point of the new IS cabin.
The vertical linking of cabin elements through the centre console and door grips, once again inspired by the “Kirikaeshi” principle, further reinforce the volumetric homogeny of the interior design, whilst the apparently dislocated position of the side air vents reflects the influence of another symbol of Japanese traditional culture, “Hazushi”, or “shift out of phase”. This expresses the intriguing notion of something that is part of a whole but, at the same time, retains its independence.
A combination of high quality slush moulding and vacuum forming production processes have been adopted for the upper and lower dashboard, as well as the door trim panels. These soft-touch components are finished in a new, scratch resistant natural grain pattern which enhances the visual, tactile and acoustic refinement of the new IS interior. A black, upper dashboard finish may be combined with a choice of three lower dashboard colours: matching black, frosty grey or ivory.
Rigorous fit and finish management has reduced, and in some cases eradicated altogether, gaps between interior components, creating an environment of clean, uncluttered luxury unprecedented in this class. And careful consideration has gone into the modelling and spacing of individual components, with a detailed coordination of both interior illumination and finishes to touch surfaces such as the chrome highlighting to door handles, gear shift paddles, gear knob and starter button.
Used in conjunction with conventional, incandescent bulb lighting, brighter, more focused LED illumination to front and rear map reading lights, front passenger footwell and gear lever puddle lighting adds an enhanced elegance to the after-dark ambience of the new Lexus’ interior. Luxury specification IS models further feature unique, blue LED illumination to the stainless steel front door scuff plates.
Also unique to the IS Luxury specification, the centre console is finished in bird’s eye maple wood. Only 1% of global bird’s eye maple supplies meets Lexus’ exacting standards, and it takes more than three weeks to select, process and finish the wood. Sourced from sustainable plantations in Canada, the centre console panel is laminated to an aluminium backing plate to ensure optimum rigidity before being cut into three component parts for the manufacture of the main panel, ashtray lid and storage compartment lid. This approach, though time consuming, ensures absolute visual consistency of the finished console.
The finishing process is carried out by Yamaha ’s piano manufacturing craftsmen. Yamaha has
a 40 year long tradition of preparing wood for automotive interiors, dating back to 1966 when the company supplied its first real wood components to the Toyota Motor Corporation. The bespoke, patented process involves the 20 step, multi-coating application of lacquers to the centre console, resulting in an ultra high-gloss, scratch resistant finish.
The new steering wheel features a redesigned rim cross-section for added comfort, and the gear shift paddles are mounted directly on the steering wheel, eliminating the need to modify steering wheel grip, even when cornering.
The front seats combine snug lateral support with a broad shoulder area, reflecting the optimum balance of ride comfort and driving dynamics inherent in the new IS chassis. Rear seat legroom has been significantly improved through the addition of 60 mm to the wheelbase of the new Lexus, increasing the front-rear couple distance to a class-leading 881 mm.
IS seating upholstery will be available in standard fabric for entry level models, sports fabric for the Sports specification, and perforated, semi-aniline leather for Luxury grade models.
Employing a technique favoured by bespoke furniture makers, Lexus semi-aniline leather receives a supplemental top coating of highly dispersed pigments and dyes. By dyeing the leather throughout before this final surface coating, a particularly even colouration is achieved with only a thin finishing layer, whilst the leather itself remains significantly softer. Moreove r, the use of smaller, non-visible stitching holes allied to significantly tighter tolerances in the leather’s double stitching – now reduced by 17% - results in a particularly clean appearance.
Further examples of Lexus’ comprehensive attention to detail may be found throughout the new IS interior. For example: The over-door assist grips now feature a unique, twin articulation axis design which combines a flush storage position with greatly improved user ergonomics. Both front and rear door ends are visually enhanced by a black resin cover to the panel and attachment bolts, and the floor mounted, front seat rails have also been covered to give a cleaner appearance and offer additional safety to rear seat passengers.
BODY & CHASSIS
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Longer and wider, featuring a 20% stiffer bodyshell
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Comprehensive aerodynamics package for high-speed stability and low wind noise
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Extensive NVH reduction measures for ultra-quiet cabin acoustics
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Double wishbone front and multilink rear suspension to optimise driving dynamics and ride quality
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Powerful new, fade compensating brake system with comprehensive active safety functions ensures excellent performance in all circumstances
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New Electric Power Steering (EPS) linked to Lexus unique VDIM active safety system
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IS models equipped with 18” alloy wheels feature larger, specially developed 255/40 R 18 rear tyres
With a body shell of high torsional stiffness, featuring aluminium bonnet, suspension members and powerplants to reduce overall weight, the next generation IS is wider and lower than its competitors. The resultant low centre of gravity combines with a sophisticated suspension system and new electric power steering to afford the next generation Lexus a dynamic driving performance without compromising the marque’s legendary ride quality.
Smooth, minimal panel-gap bodywork and the use of numerous aerodynamic under-body elements combine to promote high-speed stability and minimal wind noise, whilst reducing fuel consumption. And comprehensive anti-noise vibration and harshness (NVH) measures ensure the reduction of external noise intrusion to a minimum, for ultra-quiet cabin acoustics.
BODY SHELL
Based on a new, luxury saloon platform which it shares with the latest generation GS range, the new Lexus IS is 175 mm longer and 75 mm wider than its predecessor, with a track width increased by 40 mm to the front and 60 mm to the rear.
Excellent torsional stiffness, increased by 20% over the current model, is achieved through the extensive use of high tensile steel sheeting throughout the bodyshell, allied to a brace installed between the frontal attachment of the rear sub-frame and the front floor reinforcement. Transverse rigidity is further improved through the pipe brace interconnection of the new bracing members.
Moreover, the bonnet, main powerplant components and diverse suspension elements are all fabricated in aluminium to reduce yaw moment and unsprung weight, therefore enhancing the agility of the new Lexus IS.
AERODYNAMICS
With a drag coefficient of just 0.27, the new Lexus IS is one of the most aerodynamically efficient cars in its segment. The sleek, flowing bodywork boasts exceptionally narrow panel gaps and minimal protrusions. Flush bonnet, headlight and windscreen surface surrounds minimise airflow separation, whilst door mounted mirrors reduce air turbulence adjacent to the ‘A’ pillar. Astern, a duck-tail lip to the boot lid trailing edge and an “air-kick” detail moulded into the tail lamp clusters ensure a clean passage of air to further reduce drag and turbulence.
A deep front spoiler, side skirts, front and rear tyre fairings, and covers to the cabin floor, transmission, fuel tank and rear suspension create the smoothest, flattest possible surface to enhance high-speed vehicle stability and reduce wind noise to a minimum. Furthermore, a new engine undercover has been designed to create a Venturi effect, which generates downforce to ensure a 0 lift coefficient at high speeds, whilst a rear floor diffuser features twin vertical fins - in the manner of racing sportscar undertrays - to reduce the rear lift coefficient and bolster high speed handling stability.
