Redesigned Lexus IS will take cues from LF-CC concept

The LF-CC concept, unveiled in Paris this fall, moved Lexus styling direction beyond the brand's pervasive spindle grille.

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LOS ANGELES -- Lexus Division will show its redesigned 2013 IS sedan at the Detroit auto show in January.

The IS sedan shares a platform and 3.5-liter V-6 engine with the longer GS sedan, but it also has its own entry-level 2.5-liter V-6. When the GS was redesigned this year, much of its platform and powertrain were carried over. The main changes involved design and technical refinements, such as increasing body rigidity. Expect similar changes for the IS, and the addition of a more tightly tuned and more rakishly styled F-Sport model.

In a statement today, Lexus said the production sedan will carry design cues of the LF-CC coupe concept that was shown at the Paris auto show in October.

The IS competes in the rear-drive compact sedan segment led by the BMW 3-series, Mercedes-Benz C class, Audi A4 and Infiniti G. The segment will become more crowded with the recent addition of the Cadillac ATS.

Initially, the IS series was to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March, according to a Toyota source. But the United States is a much larger market than Europe for the vehicle, which likely prompted the move.

Also, Toyota recently trademarked the nameplates NX 200t and NX 300h, which would seem to indicate a long-rumored compact crossover vehicle is close to production. A Geneva auto show debut would make better sense for the NX, given the stronger market for smaller luxury vehicles in Europe.

You can reach Mark Rechtin at mrechtin@crain.com. -- Follow Mark on

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