The Lexus IS has always been a bit of the black sheep in its segment, which we cannot fault it given that the competition is the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4. However, it has given us some surprises over the years but this one probably takes the cake as reports indicate the
Japan’s Best Car Web reports that everyone’s beloved oddball in the compact sports sedan class will debut in 2027 and be exclusively available with battery electric powertrains (EV).
There should be two drivetrain options, a single-motor rear-drive variant and a flagship dual-motor all-wheel-drive one. The latter is said to output up to 500 PS with the longest range battery option targeting 1,000km.
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One thing the IS always had an upper hand, especially in the current generation, is design. For a model that is well pass the decade mark, the XE30 still looks like a fresh design that could give its competition a run for their designer money.
And that could very well continue with the next generation model as it will be inspired by the Lexus LF-ZC concept first show in 2023.
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That very same report states that the new IS will be slightly longer and taller than the LF-ZC.
Perhaps we should have known that time was running out for the current IS. It has been around for 13 years and in 2021, Lexus dropped a bombshell on us with the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance, housing a gnarly naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8.
Yes, that is the very same 2UR-GSE nuclear powerplant of an engine from the RC F, GS F, and LC 500. It makes an intimidating 472 PS and 536 Nm of torque. While not a full-fledged IS F like its predecessor, it was special enough and a fitting send-off.