An electric car worthy of lust? The upcoming Lexus IS replacement could be the child of the Nissan Skyline GT-S and Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3 Beware: The unimaginatively named Lexus Electrified Sedan concept gives a glimpse of the 2025 Lexus IS EV.

If you're a Lexus IS fan and disappointed that this series is no longer available in Australia, then there's a bright beam at the end of the tunnel, and Lexus says a replacement of sorts is in the planning stages of the product. for 2025.

What's more, unlike the recently discontinued fourth-generation model, which was, albeit a thoroughly redesigned version of its 2013 predecessor, the successor is expected to be reinvented as a pure battery electric vehicle.

Focusing on the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 and the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 6 among many other sedan-shaped electric vehicles we have yet to see, the next IS is expected to be a production implementation of the Lexus Electrified Sedan concept. presented back in December.

Based on the advanced modular platform at the heart of Toyota's new bZX4 SUV, the midsize electric sports sedan is expected to be part of Toyota's $100 billion electric vehicle investment, which will see 30 new electric vehicles launched by 2030.

Discussions are already underway about what will be in development to replace the country's once-popular range of midsize sedans, according to Lexus Australia chief executive John Pappas.

“Aussies loved the IS,” he told Australian media at the unveiling of the all-new second-generation Lexus NX mid-size SUV in Melbourne earlier this month. “And we saw really good growth last year even with IS, so IS is still important to us.

“But we are working very tirelessly with Lexus International on the future product portfolio…and we have nothing to specifically announce about the IS replacement.

“The IS was a very good car for us and the customers loved it. So we will continue to look in terms of product planning along with our product planners in terms of what it will look like. I cannot confirm. But it's very exciting for us."

Going by the Lexus Electrified Sedan concept, the future IS will really underline its aspirations for a sports sedan, with massive wheel arches, muscular thighs, a sloping roofline, hood nostrils and a chiseled nose redolent of past Japanese icons like the incredible Nissan R34 Skyline GT. -R V-spec.

Reports out of Japan suggest that the 2025 IS EV will follow the Tesla mold by offering both a single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive option as Lexus looks to capitalize on the Model 3's unprecedented success. Its status as the best-selling electric car in history is all the more remarkable given that sedans have gone out of fashion in favor of SUVs and crossovers.

Speaking of which, the next IS will follow the Lexus RZ EV SUV, which will be in production form in the second half of this year and slated for release in Australia either next year or 2024, production and other global production constraints. allows.

As the IS has long been one of the youngest models in the Lexus lineup, as well as one of the most memorable and exciting (other than the LFA) with versions like the BMW M3 IS F sports sedan, it's clear that Toyota's luxury brand doesn't want to squander established reputation as a Japanese alternative to the 3 Series. 2025 can't come soon enough.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pappas added that the ES would be better for buyers looking to purchase a three-box Lexus sedan, even if its front-wheel-drive configuration is the exact opposite of what IS has advocated for the past 23 years.

“From a transitional point of view, the IS is a sports sedan,” he said. "For example, the ES is a luxury sedan, but we have the F Sport, so we'll see some of those buyers of the sporty IS move to (that)."

As previously reported, the existing IS line was discontinued in late 2021 in Australia, along with various other models including Lexus' own RC coupe and CT hybrid hatchback, due to their failure to comply with stringent new safety regulations that came into effect in November. last year. , but not yet implemented elsewhere around the world.

Specifically, ADR (Australian Design Rule) 85/00 covers the new pole-side crash test that these aging Lexus models would contend with to meet future homologation requirements.

In other markets, the current IS persists and is expected to continue until an EV replacement arrives sometime in 2025 or this year.

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