Despite the best efforts of Lexus, the IS F failed
to establish itself as a serious alternative to the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG
C63. However, the luxury manufacturer hasn’t given up all hope of shaking
up the sports sedan market and is reportedly planning to build a new ‘F’
performance variant of the next-generation IS.
Reports from Japanese publications Spyder 7 and
Response assert that the next-generation IS will be based on the modular TNGA
(Toyota New Generation Architecture) platform and be slightly larger than the
outgoing model.
A selection of different powertrains will allegedly
be available with the all-new IS, including a 2.4-liter turbocharged
four-cylinder pumping out 318 hp as well as a tamer 2.5-liter four-cylinder
with hybrid assistance and a combined 183 hp.
As for the range-topping IS F variant, it may ditch
the Japanese car manufacturer’s naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 in favor of a
3.5-liter V6 with twin turbochargers and an output of around 420 hp. Such a
figure would put the vehicle at roughly the same level as the current M3, but
it would still be down on power compared to rivals like the C63 AMG and Alfa
Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. Also, instead of a dual-clutch transmission, it will
feature a 10-speed automatic.
If these reports prove accurate, the new IS will
premiere in the second half of 2020 and hit the market as a 2021 model, while
the new IS F will land roughly 12 months later.
