Automotive

New Lexus IS to debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show

New Lexus IS to debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show
The all-new Lexus will sport influences from the LF-CC concept (pictured)
The all-new Lexus will sport influences from the LF-CC concept (pictured)
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Lexus IS 350
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Lexus IS 350
Lexus IS 350
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Lexus IS 350
Lexus IS 350
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Lexus IS 350
The current Lexus IS 350
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The current Lexus IS 350
Lexus IS 350
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Lexus IS 350
Lexus IS 350
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Lexus IS 350
Lexus IS 350
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Lexus IS 350
The all-new Lexus will sport influences from the LF-CC concept (pictured)
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The all-new Lexus will sport influences from the LF-CC concept (pictured)
Lexus showed the LF-CC concept at the 2012 Paris Motor Show
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Lexus showed the LF-CC concept at the 2012 Paris Motor Show
The Lexus LF-CC concept may find its way to production
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The Lexus LF-CC concept may find its way to production
The LF-CC will influence the new IS
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The LF-CC will influence the new IS
View gallery - 11 images

Lexus announced this week that it will debut the all-new IS at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January. The new sedan promises to showcase styling influences from some of the hottest sports cars and concepts in Lexus' recent line.

While Lexus leaves all but the most generic details to our imaginations, it does say that the new IS has been "completely redesigned, inside and out" and mentions that it is influenced by the LF-CC concept (pictured above) from the Paris Motor Show. It also mentions pulling a few design cues from the LFA supercar, so the new IS should be hotter and sportier than ever.

We're confident that the spindle grille, which has become a signature of Lexus' current design language, will find its way over to the IS, and early spy photos suggest some of the sculpting will be borrowed from the LF-CC.

The IS is unlikely to look too similar to the LF-CC, however. While Lexus did not specify that the Detroit IS will be a sedan and not a coupe, rumors, reports and spy photos of the IS sedan have been floating around for months, so we expect to see a four-door. The LF-CC, on the other hand, has only been presented as a coupe. Furthermore, reports out of last week's L.A. Auto Show indicate that Lexus may build an actual LF-CC-modeled coupe within the next few years, so it certainly wouldn't want the IS to be a carbon copy.

The current Lexus IS 350
The current Lexus IS 350

The current 2013 IS sedan line offers customers a choice of 204-hp 2.5-liter V6 or 306-hp 3.5-liter V6 engines. The sedan starts just under US$36,000 and comes in rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations.

The LF-CC was displayed with a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and electric motor, which Lexus said would hit its model range "in the near future." This hybrid option may or may not debut on the new IS.

Lexus will make its presentation on January 15, the second media day of the show. Those that can't attend will be able to catch the unveiling on the Web at lexus.com.

Compare the LF-CC concept to the current-generation IS sedan in our gallery.

Source: Toyota/Lexus, Auto Express

View gallery - 11 images
1 comment
1 comment
Colin Macpherson
I can see a lot of Mtsubishi Lancer in there!