The next generation of the IS is expected to arrive in 2025.
A dual-motor electric powertrain could be standard.
A shooting break could join the sedan for the first time since 2005
Toyota is planning to speed up its electrification push in the coming years and one of the first models to be affected could be the next Lexus IS.
Rumours say that the next iteration of the premium brand’s smallest sedan could be fully electric when it arrives in 2025.
The automaker hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but since the current IS that was launched in 2021 is still based on a generation that was released in 2013, substantial changes are expected toward the middle of the decade.
Reports from Japan that claim to know about the upcoming IS say it could be powered by two electric motors that would give it all-wheel drive and around 355 horsepower.
Something that lends credibility to these rumours is the Lexus Electrified Sedan concept presented in December 2021, which shows a modern-looking compact sedan that could very well become the next IS.
Lexus Electrified Sedan Concept | Photo: Lexus
This concept was part of a large batch of concepts that were shown by Toyota and Lexus at the same time and we already know that one of them will reach production with barely any changes as the next Toyota Tacoma, which suggests the design of the 2025 IS could already be determined
An interesting addition to the lineup is expected to be a sporty wagon that will be the successor to the IS SportCross which was discontinued after the first generation of the model was replaced in 2005.
This more practical variant of the sports sedan might not make it to North America, however, since these types of models have never been very popular on our market.
Making the next IS fully electric could solidify Lexus’ position as a leader of Toyota’s electrification efforts, which is the role the brand is expected to take in the strategy put forth by the automaker’s new CEO.
Lexus Electrified Sedan Concept | Photo: Lexus
Source: BestCarWeb.jp
