I recently read that Lexus are planning to release the Mk2 IS200 in 2005, and the line-up will include a [i]diesel.[/i]

Personally, I'd much prefer if Lexus offered the Mk2 IS with a [b]coupe[/b] and [b]convertable[/b] version.

As for smaller changes.... the things I want:

Stereo controls on the steering wheel
Option for full leather
higher revving engines (on at least the sport)
Twin exhaust (on sport again)
Individual climate control for driver/passenger
Option for cassette player to be replaced with Minidisk

I wondered what other IS drivers would like on the Mk2... and if there is any way to pass these onto Lexus (you never know)

And my final thought.... if it looks anything like the new Avensis ... I'm buying a S2000!

More performance definately, even from the standard 2 litre.

Mini disk seem very old technology now and have never really taken off. How about an MP3 compatible cd player, even a DAB tuner.

Steering wheels controls definately, and a trip computer!

Things like individual climate control they will probably always keep for the bigger models.

there should definitely be better fuel consumption combined with more power (maybe one of these hybrid engines)

there should also be all the gadgets available on mercs and bmws

i definitely agree with the DAB tuner (i don't know why even cars like the LS, S-class and 7 series still dont have them) and some kind of MP3 player (preferably big hard drive)

and they need to illuminate the switches for the windows and mirrors (its so irritating that they can't do something simple like that which you can find on absolutely any car )

finally, i'd like to see a car that will come up on tv shows as the best small sports saloon! (better even than a BM 3-series!)

If you're looking for clues to the look or spec of the next IS, keep an eye on Toyota's new model releases in Japan.

Many more models are released in Japan that NEVER see european or US shores.

The next IS will likely be released in Japan first, as a Toyota.

[quote name='GRiM' date='Apr 17 2003, 12:02 PM']If you're looking for clues to the look or spec of the next IS, keep an eye on Toyota's new model releases in Japan.

Many more models are released in Japan that NEVER see european or US shores.

The next IS will likely be released in Japan first, as a Toyota.[/quote]
Well, I'd expect it to be the Alzetta again???

Or am I wrong in that assumption??

If they want to sell to business customers they'll need to reduce the CO2 emissions which determine company car tax. BMW and Mercedes have been working hard at this, although both provide 4cyl engines (emissions will always be higher in a small 6 cyl than a 4).

Of course, reducing emissions needs to go hand-in-hand with some more low-down torque. (A diesel would provide both, but I HATE diesels.)

Is there any reason why a rear drive car can't have folding rear seats? My (front drive) Avensis had folding rear seats even though it was a booted saloon.

My gripes with the current IS2/300 is the (lack of) attention to detail...

- Illuminated foot wells
- Reading/map lights in the rear
- Illuminated window buttons
- Better quality switchgear
- Arm rest for the front passengers
- Trip computer
- Dual zone climate control
- Digital display climate control


Wish list would include...

- Sat nav that does not require a 2nd mortgage
- Higher quality alloys
- Better paint finish
- Less drap interior
- Split/Folding rear seat
- Power to match it's looks
- Cruise Control standard (really miss that)
- Xenon's standard
- etc
- etc

firstly, how do they release so many different models in Japan, do they not undergo any development?

as they have now separated lexus and toyota and that they are now going to sell lexus in japan too, i assume that the next small lexus to be launched in japan will be the new IS!

digital climate display would be nice but i hope they keep the knobs rather than silly buttons in other cars

i don't think that not having folding seats is anything to do with rear wheel drive, i think its just cos in japan they like the boot to be completely sealed off even if the car is open (hence no release for boot except inside car and on key)

dont we already have an armrest?

All of the above..... plus how about a [b]5[/b] year warranty !? If Hyundai can do it....

[quote name='djanderso' date='Apr 17 2003, 03:06 PM']My gripes with the current IS2/300 is the (lack of) attention to detail...
- Dual zone climate control
- Digital display climate control[/quote]
What benefit does that give? I sat in a £106K Merc SL55 AMG yesterday and that had similar dials to the IS200 (i.e no digital display), didn't look out of place at all and a digital display might even have looked 'tacky'. A digital display is no clearer to read and cars that have buttons take longer time to change several degree's as that's a lot of button presses.

Also cars with separate passenger controls I find I'm always changing both at the same time, as I drive most of the time on my own.

I have to say I've never once wished for illuminated foot wells of even rear map lights.

Hmmmmm.............

I think keeping the IS 200 as a 2L engine is good but more power from the unit is obviously possible (dont know why they didnt just use the same set up as the Altezza......i think has 210 HP?) although this may affect Insurance groupings.

Better paint is a must, i have seen the problem on other toyota models, not just the IS's.

And the 5 yr warranty (suggested earlier) would mebe convince me to buy another


Oh and anti bird poo mode......whereby when the little buggers watch you and poop right after you clean it....it blows the little ****$%^%%$&$%^£ away

Oh and another thing (as someone has suggested)... the new IS200/300 has [b]got[/b] to be a real looker!

If it's anything like the new Avensis - which has got to be one of the ugliest new cars around now I've seen it in the flesh (barring [i]anything[/i] currently made by Citröen)... then I'm sticking with the current IS!

Hope they don't change the external appearance at all, the car already posesses awesome looks.

Must put a more durable paint on to prevent beards of white chips over the front end.

More guts required from under the bonnet.

Alloys are nice looking already but must have something done to increase resistance to corrosion.

In addition to electric and heated front seats, I would love to see memory put on the Dvrs seat.

Knock ten grand off the retail price and blow up all slimey rip off Lexus car salesmen, especially those who work in Swindon.

I quite like the dials on the current model but would like a more modern colour coded dash board made out of quality material.

Agree with most of u! Better dash is somethin deffo needed!!

and rest as u say ..trip computer, steering controls, xenons, and duel zone climate control a must!!

how about more int trim options and more collours on the leather!

yeah definitely better materials on dash, it scratches sooo easily

and also want full leather option on all models, not just 300

and 5 speed auto

before we slate or pick faults with the present IS models lets remember this car is over 5 years old in design

the next model IS** will not be a completely different car, it is going to be a big face lift on the current model, why change a chassis thats competent. and one that will accomodate the futre propossed engines, and transmissions

propossed new engine line ups are all V6, they will be droping the inline 6 engines

2.5v6

either a 3.0 or 3.3 v6

development on a 4.3 v8 underway

there will be a diesel, the engine is jointly being developed with BMW

there will be a 5 speed automatic, no news on manual gearbox's as of yet

and there will be a 4x4 variant using the same split system as fitted to the Altezza Gita in japan

some of this infomation i have had confirmed to me, some is assumption going of what has been confirmed

[quote]there will be a diesel, the engine is jointly being developed with BMW[/quote]

really????

yes...really

really really?

yep really really

Really really REALLY?




[i]This could go on, and on....[/i]

yes really

You forgot to say "Really Really REALLY!!"

[quote name='Supracharged-IS340' date='Apr 22 2003, 11:36 AM']before we slate or pick faults with the present IS models lets remember this car is over 5 years old in design[/quote]
I wasn't picking fault at the current model, I think its a great car... But if they are going to update it, I wanted to know what features Lexus could add to make it a better competitor in the market.

I think all they can really do is make the IS the same quality (or better) as the GS, RX, LS and SC cars. Let's face it - the IS is still very much standard toyota inside.

I'd like to see:

- Decent quality leather seats
- A classier quality dashboard
- Quality trip computer (in the main binnacle, notably with avg fuel consumption, distance to empty, remote radio display, and the arrow display from the satnav)
- Auto locking on pull away
- Ability to only unlock the drivers door with the remote
- One touch deadlocking (why oh why did that go?!?!)
- Folding rear seats
- A range of alloys
- Heated seats with a bit more predictability to them
- Lumbar adjustment
- 5 year warranty
- Better paint
- A range of colours not available on a Yaris

I'd hate to lose:

- The motorised pop-up/high level satnav screen. It's *so* much easier to read than the low down one on the GS. It's also cool
- Folding mirrors. Where are they on the GS? I wouldn't get it in the garage without them.
- Central arm rest
- In dash CD changer (not the current model particularly, but the concept!)
- Good looks (not a nissan-esque blob, or toyota barge, or bmw/audi pretty but dull look)
- Decent standard equipment (I use the sunroof!)
- The chunky rotary a/c controls (my mates with the pretty Saab, BMW, Audi button controls all prefer mine)

I'm not all that fussed about:

- Memory seats
- Additional interior lighting
- Other interior colour schemes
- Diesel options
- Reach adjust steering wheel
- Dual zone aircon

.... just my humble opinions, obviously

[quote name='agalbraith' date='Posted on Apr 22 2003, 04:09 PM']- A range of alloys[/quote]

nice list..

Just to correct you, there is already a range of alloys available.


[url="http://www.lexus.co.uk/graphics/accessories/alloy_wheel_is.jpg"]Styling Kit 18" alloy wheels[/url]

[url="http://www.lexus.co.uk/graphics/accessories/is200/grandstand.jpg"]17” Grandstand alloy wheels[/url]

[url="http://www.lexus.co.uk/graphics/accessories/is200/grandprix.jpg"]18” Grand Prix alloy wheels[/url]

[url="http://www.lexus.co.uk/graphics/accessories/is200/chicane_alloy.jpg"]18” Chicane alloy wheels[/url]

[url="http://www.lexus.co.uk/graphics/accessories/is200/millennium_wheel.jpg"] 17” Millennium alloy wheels[/url]

They are quite expensive though aren't they as you are buying them from the dealer in addition to the standard wheels supplied on the car rather than a factory fit option where you only pay for the set fitted.

i do like those chicane wheels

those wheels are actually supplied by TTE, but with Lexus centre caps

i would like mirrors that fold ,after you have opened the door and seen its clear
or even work with the door locking

[quote name='ricky_is200' date='Apr 17 2003, 10:56 AM']More performance definately, even from the standard 2 litre.

Mini disk seem very old technology now and have never really taken off. How about an MP3 compatible cd player, even a DAB tuner.

Steering wheels controls definately, and a trip computer!

Things like individual climate control they will probably always keep for the bigger models.
[right][snapback]44798[/snapback][/right][/quote]

[quote]there will be a 5 speed automatic, no news on manual gearbox's as of yet[/quote]

So its possible there could be no manual or just that whether its 5 or 6 speed is undecided? It would be mad not to have a manual they'd loose loads of sales.

Anyway...

I'd like an MP3 player with hard disk and wireless lan connection to upload tracks from my home pc.

I'll add these which I haven't seen in the list yet

- Parking distance control front and rear as standard (maybe with cam).
- Side mirrors that tilt to the kerb when shifting in reverse.
- Keyless entry or a QUALITY ignition key, not a plasticy fragile Yaris thingy
- Boot hinges that don't crush your luggage (every other car manufacturer already makes that for what, over 10 years? Judging the latest Avensis they still won't bother )
- Min. 2 memory setups for seat, mirrors, steering tilt and reach (or a complimentary tall girlfriend )
- Satnav that can be operated (by co-pilot when driving

RX-Men-8

Has anyone mentioned a device whereby all four doors lock when you start driving. A safety feature which unfortunately I have been thinking about recently.

I think Audi's have this device fitted.