mpls

This YT video one of many  tells of Lexus lineup coming. I;m excited as there could be an IS in there...

In the USA Hyundai and Kia  have been fined 210 Million for failing to recall alot of cars for engones fires and for deceptove practices in deayeing or deny problems.. As well as the fine itself, it;s gonna hurst thei r pockets too.

https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2020/12/01/592190.htm

12 hours ago, Linas.P said:

...s. This happened because Lexus failed to adapt to UK tax and emissions requirements, first by not offering low CO2 diesel, later by not offering PHEV. All these factors contributed in cars basically becoming niche, low volume and private sales vehicles.

.....

The only think I disagree with is that they will bring it back at any time soon. I cannot see any demand in UK and Lexus arguably doesn't even have competitive offering. 300h was never very competitive even from 2013, because at that time diesels dominated, from 2018 car must be PHEV or EV - again Lexus does not offer that.

.......

We may see fully EV or PHEV ES, which may be AWD (see Lexus Direct4 concept video), quite similar to what Volvo does with T8 Dual motor, but I cannot see IS being brought back.

When Lexus went fully Hybrid back in 2010/11 ( i think) they fully anticipated the tax changes. It was a bold move. The Germans came out with next Gen diesels beyind the ones that Toyota/Lexus had n the last 2000s. And then into 2014/15 came the whole dieselgate. What does this say about Toyota/Lexus marketing at that time ? I think very slow, crazy minimlistic advertesements , did not emphasise the benefits of Hybrid , it wasnlt just about fuel economy , it ws about smooth refined driving effortless, without the coursness of deisels. They didn;t even pish into business/fleet much ( though i think this was deliberate for this msrket). Then as you say they di not from 2015 quickly bring put PHEVs. And we know they can  from the Toyota PHEV that came out last year. ( again Lexus slow with ts own as the rumoured 450+ not even out yet) . Much too slow.. Other  brands  quckly have cpme out with hybrids last few years, whilst they had been still selling diesels continuosly since when lexus had  already stopped selling diesels, and have also moved onto PHEVs, ad EVs too. Lexus UK/EU did not emphasise their early changes and stance, and did not follow through with products quuckly enough. They still don't, still have "self charging" at its core!

I agree that about the direct4 in the ES, but my idea about the return of IS at some point in the future, will be with a cpmpetieve EV  ( or fuel cell) as  there needs to be an IS sized saloon.  I know the market for saloons is dimishing but there is still a market hence why BMW, Merc, Audi, Vauxhall. Peugeot, volvo.  The low sales numbers for IS were of its own making, and it is very contradcitory for the reason given for discontinouing the CT as i beleive was quite a good seling car.

The LF-CC whe it came out as a concept in 2012, i think really set the trend in sleek "edgy" design which  BMW, Audi in particular incorporated into ther design since then .. The LF-CC as we know was released as the 3rd gen IS ( and 1st geb RC) as we know here.. i look back at the BMW 3 series and Audi A4 for years 2012/2013 shows me how forward thinking Lexus has been. Looking on wikioedia shows the LF-CC was designed back in 2010/11. I think my current IS Is300H still looks as fresh as many other cars still being released by other marques to this day.

It ls sad that Lexus has stopped the IS ( as well as RC/CT) in the UK/EU . It;s own downfall was not because of the design but because of poor marketing ,slow technology integration,  undeneath the car as well as lack of differing power trains..  leading to poor sales and lack of notice from potential new customers moving from other brands.

In saying this, the IS still lives on as a refresh ( best looking iteratiion from the LF-CC) in Jaoan, asia and USA etc.  i personally think when the eventual proper 4th or 5th  Gen IS comes, i think will return to UK/EU.

That'd be cool if that is true, though I'm not in market for SUV typed vehicle..

This is not a Lexus..  imagine if there was a plug in IS..

This is amazing as the reviewer says during his drive...

On 7/9/2020 at 10:03 PM, sanjb said:

Hi m no 50,60 & 70k on the plan

I had my 50K service early this month  @ 47K miles since it was over 1 year since last service. I just aid the intermediate service charge,

I'm looking at essential service (60K and onwards)  for next service or appropriate service plan..

15 hours ago, sanjb said:

Hi Gang thats for the next three services.

The car is a sept 2015 so just under 5 years.

It was with Toyota/Lexus service centre in Hayes Middlesex.

My car is also a 65 plate, I'm thinking also to get a service plan too. Is your next three service the 60K,70K and 80K service  and isit the essential package ?

On 6/16/2020 at 8:23 PM, Casa1862 said:

Nice but made it look like a hatchback, a little like the Audi sportback or bmw 4 series gran coupe ie not obvious hatchback. It’s probably just me though.

Not a hatchback, compafe against the current .. if anything makes the current IS more of a htachback whoch iy isn;t thoiugh...

see comparison

https://www.topspeed.com/cars/lexus/2021-lexus-is-ar188704.html

The refresh IS is the best iteration of the IS so far..

21 minutes ago, Shada said:

Too much black plastic front and back. Grilles far too big and silly. They may as well not bother colour code the bumpers! 

Tacky light right across the back, no thanks. 

I'd also require a set of fog lights in the front bumper or I'm just not interested. 

To me it's not great looking 

I think it looks great, but the base model ( espcially in the grey colour)  looks even better than the F sport trim

Check out from 3:39  especially the front and the rear.

Has a close side profile to current RC whch isn't a hatchback

i like the look of it.. the product is tweeked for performance

Well Townsend Bell is encouragingg USA enthusicaste to feedback concerning an ISF. Will they listen to EU/Uk enthusiasts ifpeople make a noise.. I can see why they dropped this release here.. without the shackles of EU/Uk regulations.. they cam tweak alot of the design and compnents for increased performance, For emmisions regulations, they don't have a PHEV package that fits in the IS body (my view) , befitting of the tweeks that hae been made for what essentially is a compact sports saloon/sedan, if they had I don't think it would be dropped so easily here.. Here's hoping a new generation that comes after this can allow the IS to return to the EU.UK with an appropriate powertrain, returning to the roots of an IS , In sportyness, looks, perfomance as well as with efficiency. Current generation IS has been about looks and efficiency only.

7 minutes ago, PCM said:

80's Mondeo with a bodykit. 

 

That's a harsh comment.. The is still strong elements of the current gen IS with sligt tweeks, btw mondeo wasn't releaed until 1992..  and Ford;s neevr looked good at all except for the Capri. Also Mondeo didn;t do it high waste line until 2007, way after BMW and Lexus started doing it in 5 series, LS  and 2nd gen IS.

5 hours ago, rayaans said:

Im sure you wont find a 300hp NX450h+ plug in underpowered 😉

As for various posts regarding Tesla model 3 and their sales - lets not forget that many of these sales are simply down to the cost of the vehicle being relatively reasonable and 100% allowance on company car users. Problem is, Ive seen more model 3's on the road than the new 3 series! 

I think most of us are here because we don't want to drive the same grey car as everyone else, and many Lexus buyers who won't necessarily go on forums or are any kind of enthusiasts, are the same. 

From what I know, and the models that are coming soon - Lexus have got some new models up their sleeves (including the return of the GS......)

If the GS returns, lets hope it rerturn to be the RWD saloon that covers oith GS/IS.. my guess it wil be full EV when it returns.. or maybe FC if it ever takes off..

This is exactly what I've been saying in my rants.. Lexus' current trajectory is sleepwalking into oblivion.. last night still seeing TV ads with Self charging, no plugging in..  At the oment what we are seeing n the UK/EU,  Lexus just do not get it.. either that or they have something up their sleeves.. from what we sre seeing on the surface. they have no clue..

22 hours ago, rayaans said:

The photos are real. 

Just a comparison between the old and new IS in terms of the C pillar. Quite a stark difference. As is the fuel filler cap. The shoulders look a lot more curvy 

Sorry , yes my mistake

10 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

Lexus has never had a larger market share in the UK as it does now so they probably feel they are on the right track. Individual opinion on these forums isn't from their target demographic.

Lexus is never going to be mainstream, not whilst the 10% import tariff from Japan to Europe exists on vehicles (actually I think it is 9.2% now but will take 12 more years for it to disappear completely). Just too difficult to be competitive and provide the vehicle range and options that people are looking for.

Indeed market share in the UK is the highest it has ever been, only because it has slowly been neglecting its core enthusiasts  by slowly moving more into more ranges of SUVs. and hence gaining a new range of customers who would not have nornally gone for Lexus. However at the rate of Lexus development they too will become disillusion, just like I have after owning 2 lexus, not that I will be selling any time soon though. For me as a 40 something (as well other age ranges) , surely I'm one of the targets of Lexus for custom.

Lexus is mainstream ( though only in the USA). The EU as a whole is a big economy. bigger than USA. Surely the target of Lexus is for larger sales in th EU and maybe even to surpass the USA. In order to do that Lexus EU/UK need to do a much better job, ask for what it wants to be successful. Lexus HQ need to shock EU/UK into action, because the way they are going about things with self charging, it  will not take them very far when people wake up to the nonsense in this day and age..

The 10% import tariff will end as EU and Japan have come up with a trade deal. hence why Honda is closing its Uk factory in anticipation.

12 hours ago, Overland said:

This is an interesting survey on Tesla Model 3 

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2019-tesla-model-3-survey/

concerning low volume in EU, I agree that Lexus surely would have bigger and more stable base of customer, but to be honest their  strategy seems wrong since the beginning.

I don’t think the responsibility at the beginning was of the Japanese head offices, probably they have trust to some EU marketing department, but if we want to be honest, there was lot of mistakes and they did not take care.

- the mistake of Diesel version

- the mistake of not very reliable early generation of some models

- the mistake of communication, too much focused in art and weird concept that probably even the “Lexus Enthusiast” does not understand

- the mistake of explaining to who does not know the hybrid engine how it work (self charging, electrified and so on)

- the mistake of moving everything under Toyota hat, even the customer service.

and so on.

It’s normal the market decrease.

It’s a pity.

 

Actually the only blip on quality for lexus was the  diesel, though for me it was very good.. On the whole, UK hasn't gone  the route of Italy in mov9iing the customer service over to Toyota dealership etc..

3 hours ago, wharfhouse said:

Yes really need a better upcoming model plan from Lexus if they want us to start planning buying replacements - I am considering what to do in the next couple of years but now don't have a clue what to plan for... 

Yes agree.. BMW will be coming out with upto 62Miles of EV range in their new PHEvs, not sure which one.

BMW are coming out with a range PHEVs, EVs as well as still flogging existing polluting diesels and petrols.. Yes BMW are a volume manufacturer, and Lexus are supposed to be a low volume ( so we are told though confirmed by sales figuresin the EU/UK). But Lexus in the EU/UK end up cutting products lines due to low sales. But Lexus aren't exactly low volume in the USA.. It is actually utter failure for Lexus EU/UK for not incresing sales.. afterall how did USA start, from lowly position.  If Lexus were to have a magic wand. I;m sure they really want higher sales in the EU/UK.

3 hours ago, rayaans said:

The date has been amended to June 15th now

Quite clear from the little teaser that the mirrors and wheels are different.

C pillar is definitely different to the current IS including the fuel filler cap. 

Video looks real, but i think the two photos looks fake. looks like the rear of the Pre 2017 IS (before facelift), notice the rear lights

Seen that video.. the new IS will have 4 engine options, two from Toyota, one from subaru and one from BMW..

1 hour ago, Shada said:

I've had a few new rav4 in at work and they are using a right bit of BMW running gear, so maby the new is may be an under cover 3 series. 

If that's the way they are going it might be best if they don't offer it in Europe! 

Intesresting about the new RAV 4, i just read about some issues with new the  RAV 4, not sure if issue is related to the  BMW bits! 🙂

as mentioned above the new IS apprently is built on one of  Toyota's new platform. one of the new engine options will be from BMW

dutchie01

I bought my current IS300H on a personal lease.   Just before the end of lease beginning of last year I got a call from my dealer as tried tp sell me a new IS. I told them bluntly why would I get a new IS which essentially is same as my with slights changes to the rear light, a little mofification om the front. With he same powertrain. paying more money for more of the same ? no way.. Then they moved on and said how about the ES. They had no clue, though in the end after my explanation they understood.  Anyway I chose to pay the final lump sum  payment to keep the car which I still have.. yes it is reliable. still looks good etc.

Lexus' mistake is the slow development or no development of its hybrid powertrain. Their chance of totally trumping diesel BMW/Merc/Audi was missed about 7-8 years ago at least in the 2.0d/3.0d diesel arena with differing tunes of Hybrid ( which they coud have done) instead of totally concentrating on fuel economy only. Lexus EU/UK have been too conservative in mareting and sales target. On one hand they say they are a low volume supplier, ok thats fine..  but then they cut product lines becaude of low sales!   and so that boils down to lack of development and pretty poor marketing ( i keep repeating myself). What do the Germans do, they refresh and continually improve, more so than Lexus ( a japanese company). Pretty strange for a Japanese company.. I too worked in japan betwen 2000-2007 and I find it strange that Lexus EU/UK does not push back ( or feedback) to Lexus HQ iike Lexus USA does.. Lexus does not have the heritage of BMW/Merc   the only way they can get more sales is by doing things better, faster, riskier, through continuous development, new tech and features, next gen power train.. Toyota are too conservative, they can afford to let Lexus push boundries, maybe even lose some money in order to cement the brand into new generation of future luxury car buyers., a forward thinking company.. but sadly all I see at the present is an SUV company with an aspiring LC coupe, highend saloon in the LS and a one size fits all ES saloon.

Overland,

I like your points, interestng thoughts..

Though I'd like to make a correction although the First Gen IS was marketed in Japan as a Toyota Altezza, from 2nd gen onward it has been Lexus IS. I think Lexus SUVs look nice, i wouldn't buy one though  as I like the look of saloons better..