2014 Lexus IS To Debut At Detroit, Coupe A ‘Maybe’: Cramb

Lexus will showcase the all-new replacement for its mid-sized IS sedan at January's Detroit Auto Show.

Speaking with TMR in Sydney, Lexus Australia chief Tony Cramb hinted strongly that the new IS sedan, a strong-seller for Lexus in the United States, will make its debut at the biggest event on the North American motor show calendar.

A local launch would likely follow in the the fourth quarter of 2013.

Powertrain details for the next-gen IS are still hazy, but if the GS is anything to go by, expect evolved examples of the current range of 2.5 litre and 3.5 litre V6 petrol engines.

However, with the current IS being only one of two Lexus models not available with a hybrid powertrain (the mammoth LX 570 is the other), a hybrid is also possible.

There are a few options available for an IS Hybrid, but the only ready-to-go RWD hybrid powerplant is the 3.5 litre V6/electric-motor combo used by the GS 450h.

Another possibility is a development of the Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder used by the LF-CC concept, which uses both port and direct injection to put out around 150kW.

“It's not confirmed, but I'd like to see a hybrid. I definitely want a hybrid,” Cramb told TMR.

But what definitely won't be on the Lexus stand at Detroit, however, will be an IS coupe.

Following the LF-CC concept's debut at the Paris Motor Show, many automotive publications (including TMR) speculated that it would be productionised as a coupe variant for the IS range.