Next gen IS mule caught testing- probably modified 86's chassis!!!

[Dark]

For a car that still hasn't donned its new body yet, not even under copious camouflage, there's been chatter about the 2014 Lexus IS for an awful long time. We saw the first mule 18 months ago, and it was about that time that intel predicted Lexus' next-generation small sport sedan would run on a four-door version of the Scion FT-86 chassis and be followed by a coupe.

The snappers at CarPix caught a modern mule out on test, the only change so far from 2010 being the panels obscuring the front intakes and a roll of packing tape applied to some panel gaps. The car we eventually see will continue the sportification of the Lexus brand in both appearance and capability. As well, the IS-F begat by this IS, having been planned for and developed from the beginning, should really show us what an M3-fighting Lexus can do.

Link: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/n...t-circulating/

[suprachica79]

Excited to see the coupe version, I've been wanting an IS coupe to come out for a long time. Nice post Dark

[SpeedR]

nice I like the sound of that.

[Dark]

It will be more exciting if they make a new 2.5L flat4 that output more power than current 2.0L to directly compete with 328i in term of power and handling. The current gen IS250 lack of power and feel to compete with 3 series, at least all models before 2011.

[neutron256]

It looks more like a 4 door TC to me.

[Dark]

Originally Posted by neutron256

It looks more like a 4 door TC to me.

But the mule is current gen IS. How can any Lexus look like CT now?(I hear people say about that all the time). I'm waiting to hear people say, "LX looks like a oversized CT."

[quik1987]

Always thought it was stupid there was no real IS-F coupe

[Dark]

Originally Posted by quik1987

Always thought it was stupid there was no real IS-F coupe

I had been waiting waiting and waiting for coupe of the current gen. No luck.

[Exhaust]

Originally Posted by quik1987

Always thought it was stupid there was no real IS-F coupe

This quote is so full of win.

[cyde01]

The original altezza seemed more like a true bmw 3 series competitor than the current model, which is too cushy boring lexus except for the extreme is-f. Hope they can make the new one more like the original especially if they're using the frs platform.

[Dark]

Originally Posted by cyde01

The original altezza seemed more like a true bmw 3 series competitor than the current model, which is too cushy boring lexus except for the extreme is-f. Hope they can make the new one more like the original especially if they're using the frs platform.

Are they putting next gen Supra engine in that little thing like last time? If so, I'm in.

[Harinjo]

http://jp-cardesigncorner.blogspot.d...-ft-model.html

[Dark]

Originally Posted by Harinjo

http://jp-cardesigncorner.blogspot.d...-ft-model.html

Article mentioned about 4 door 86, but it seems like a Toyota than a Lexus. :\ I don't see next IS is going smaller since 3 series is getting bigger. It's either going bigger or staying the same.

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Dark

Article mentioned about 4 door 86, but it seems like a Toyota than a Lexus. :\ I don't see next IS is going smaller since 3 series is getting bigger. It's either going bigger or staying the same.

Chaser?

[Dark]

Originally Posted by Dimman

Chaser?

Wasn't Chaser a mid sized car?

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Dark

Wasn't Chaser a mid sized car?

Hmm... I always thought of the GS/Aristo as mid sized, but I guess they're more 'large'.

Was there a recent smaller Toyota RWD sedan before the Altezza/IS?

[Dark]

Originally Posted by Dimman

Hmm... I always thought of the GS/Aristo as mid sized, but I guess they're more 'large'.

Was there a recent smaller Toyota RWD sedan before the Altezza/IS?

GS is classified as mid sized, and IS is small sized. I don't know anything RWD that is smaller than Altezza/IS from Toyota. It might be the smallest RWD sedan from Toyota in 2000s.

[STJ]

Originally Posted by Dark

Wasn't Chaser a mid sized car?

Chaser and its succesor the Mark X are pretty big almost GS/Aristo size but more sporty. Toyota needs to put a turbo V + MT in the Mark X and then it would be like the old tourers.

Luckely it wont be long until we see the return of the turbo engine of toyota, the 2013 Crown Athlete is gonna be the first to receive one.

[Dark]

Originally Posted by STJ

Chaser and its succesor the Mark X are pretty big almost GS/Aristo size but more sporty. Toyota needs to put a turbo V + MT in the Mark X and then it would be like the old tourers.

Luckely it wont be long until we see the return of the turbo engine of toyota, the 2013 Crown Athlete is gonna be the first to receive one.

It's a great news even thought we will never see any Crown models in the states.

[STJ]

It's a great news even thought we will never see any Crown models in the states.

Thats true but what the Crown gets first follows to Lexus. My bets are on the GS getting a Turbo engine in the next MMC in about 2 years. The Crown has always been the testing bed for new technologies, first toyota with ESP, NAVI, Turbo engine (70's) and had the 2GR-FSE three years before the GS350!

[quik1987]

Toyota Yundong Shuangqing hybrid concept revealed for China-only

[tranzformer]

Are the graphics on the windows standard? If so, I'm in just for that. Hopefully it says something cool.