2014 Lexus IS: New model with a vengeance

The overall size seems to have remained unchanged, with the new IS very much going against the BMW 3 Series and the Merc C-Class Lexus seems to be rolling out new models with a vengeance. Hot on the heels of launching the GS and ES saloons, Lexus is putting finishing touches to the smaller IS saloon. Our spy spotted this prototype of the 2014 IS being tested in the US last week. Although heavily camouflaged, you cannot miss the spindle grille, which looks even sharper than the one seen on the other models so far. The overall size seems to have remained unchanged, with the new IS very much going against theBMW 3 Series and the Merc C-Class. Rumours abound that the IS will be built on a stretched version of Toyota 86’s rear-wheel drive platform, but our money’s on a chopped-off version of the GS platform. As for engines, the current IS 250’s 2.5-litre V6 is expected to be replaced by a new fourpot, while the IS 350 could be powered by a version of the 3.5-litre V6 from the GS 350.