First Photos of the 2014 Lexus IS F-Sport – We Can Finally Start Drooling

If you stay intimately tuned in to the automotive blogosphere, then you may have noticed earlier today when a photo-set of the not-yet-released 2014 Lexus IS was released on a Chinese automotive news site, http://www.pcauto.com.cn/. Official or otherwise as the photos may have been, mere hours later Lexus released the “First Official Photos of the Next Generation IS” via press release. Several additional high-resolution photos were included in the official release.

Now, the 2014 Lexus IS is currently one of the most highly anticipated Japanese cars to debut at the Denver Auto Show later this month. Therefore, it’s understandable that Toyota is still keeping known details about this luxury sedan to an absolute minimum. Still, as you continue reading we are going to cover what we DO know about Lexus’ next generation sedan.

First, the newly released photos of the 2014 Lexus IS specifically portray the aerodynamically enhanced Lexus IS350 F-Sport. Informed readers may recognize the exterior design and styling of the new IS to be similar to the Lexus LF-CC concept coupe that debuted last September at the 2012 Paris Auto Show.

As for the F-Sport trim package, it includes an aerodynamic kit, more pronounced alloy wheels, a bespoke grille finish, and a lower-riding and finely-tuned suspension. Inside you’ll find a leather finish with aluminum pedals and classy black seat-stitching. The press release also tells us that the F-Sport package will be available with an exclusive new interior color-scheme, Rioja Red, which you’ll find quite appealing in the high-res photos.

Lexus Learning Lessons from the LFA

The Lexus IS F-Sport features the same driver’s meter with moving center ring that was so well received in the Lexus LFA. Every Lexus IS will be equipped with a “high quality analog clock with surface-emitting illumination” and a “Lexus-first, electrostatic switches to control the air conditioning temperature with the touch of a finger”

From the limited information that has been published about the 2014 Lexus IS, we know that the cockpit of the vehicle was also inspired by the now extinct Lexus LFA. The press release tells us that the interior of the new luxury sedan is generally sportier, and much more spacious than previous generations: “The combination of the extended wheelbase and a thinner front seat design generates best-in-class knee room and improved accessibility.” Toyota goes on to tell us that a new folding seat design will “provide expansive luggage capacity.”

Source: Autoblog

Unfortunately, we don’t know very much about the actual performance of the 2014 Lexus IS. What we do know is that the model range will feature an IS 250, an IS 350, and an internationally-exclusive (as in, not North America) IS 300h – the first Lexus IS to make use of Lexus Hybrid Drive technology.

You’ll definitely want to stay tuned to the Detroit Auto Show later this month to get more information on the next generation Lexus IS sedan. From the looks of it, this is going to be another in a long line of luxury heart-throbs from a proven Japanese brand. I, for one, can’t wait to see more.