Lexus IS facelift up on M’sian website – coming soon

Lexus IS facelift up on M’sian website – coming soon

The Lexus IS facelift has appeared on the official Lexus Malaysia website, listed as ‘coming soon’ by the premium brand. The facelifted IS made its debut in April last year and went on sale in Japan last October. When here, it will replace the pre-minor change third-gen IS that has been sold locally since mid 2013.

The Lexus IS, which already has a bolder face than most, gets a more aggressive front end thanks to large air intakes on the new bumper. There’s also an evolution of the Lexus spindle grille and new headlamps. The latter is more pronounced than before and extend inward, resulting in a shape that accentuates the distinctive ‘tick’ LED DRLs.

The new grille folds back at a higher point, changing its top and bottom proportions. The engine hood has been reshaped to match. The F Sport grille gets a unique ‘3D’ F-mesh pattern, with black metallic coating that incorporates functional brake ducts. These brake ducts provide a sense of continuity with the side garnishes that enhance the vehicle’s aerodynamics.

Click to enlarge

At the back, there are more pronounced L-shaped LED lights that are now triple layered (previously double), and new rectangular chrome exhaust tips (were round). Ten-spoke 17-inch wheels with new designs and bright machine finishes are standard, while two new colours – Deep Blue Mica and Graphite Black Glass Flake – have been added to the catalogue, globally.

A range of cabin improvements can be found. The multimedia display screen has grown from seven inches to 10.3 inches, and an ‘Enter’ button has been added to the side of the Remote Touch Interface (RTI) on the centre console, making the system easier to use. The audio and AC-control panel has been refined to fit within the knee bolsters (old ‘winged’ design susceptible to poor fit), with a new hairline-finish surface to boot.

Other changes include stitching on the meter binnacle, revised dials, new cupholders, a new and larger leather-wrapped palm rest with stitching for the RTI and new markings for the dash analogue clock. There are also additions and changes to the interior colour options. The base Lexus Premium Audio sound system now gets 10 speakers (up from eight), while the Mark Levinson option has been retuned for a more accurate and 3D sound.

Lexus IS facelift up on M’sian website – coming soon

Now, the teaser website page mentions ‘confidence-inspiring AWD models’ and ‘explore the IS 350’, but we believe that the local IS range will continue with the existing variants, namely the turbocharged IS 200t and the hybrid IS 300h. The mentions are probably part of an overseas page that was lifted wholesale. In any case, there should be little demand for an AWD and/or big-engined variant of an already niche model.

The IS 200t, launched here in 2015, is powered by the 8AR-FTS 2.0 litre turbocharged engine also found in the NX and RX SUVs. The in-house designed twin-scroll turbo engine with Dual VVT-iW (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Wide) pushes out 241 hp at 5,800 rpm and 350 Nm from 1,650 to 4,400 rpm in the sedan, and is paired to an eight-speed torque converter automatic sending drive to the rear wheels.

GALLERY: Lexus IS facelift, Japan-spec


GALLERY: Pre-facelift Lexus IS 200t F Sport

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • kington on Feb 14, 2017 at 10:25 am

    Please UMW, don’t bother selling these cars here. Just concentrate on your ES and NX.

    The current IS 200t F Sport is already RM390K, of which a discounted 5 Series is at the same price bracket or even lower at times.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
    • Mr. Loba Loba on Feb 14, 2017 at 11:11 am

      Jepunis reliability & kualiti, Priceless…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 5
    • thepolygonal on Feb 14, 2017 at 12:00 pm

      Sometimes people think like this ->… “Too many 5 series on the road… it has become ‘just another car’. Looking for something different…” That’s why Lexus can sell.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
      • Car&Driver on Feb 14, 2017 at 10:10 pm

        I think its more the reliability issues on those conti cars that gets buyer biting the bullets on overpriced Lexus. It just feel like a well equipped Toyota.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • heybadigol (Member) on Feb 14, 2017 at 10:30 am

    Was really interested in getting a Lexus IS. It’s a very handsome car with good ride (better than BMW and Mercedes) and handling (matches BMWs that don’t have adaptive dampers). But it is a bit tight inside, especially in the rear quarters. Sadly, the pricing here in Malaysia is just ridiculous. It’s probably because they are CBU. But Audi A4 is also CBU and they are quite competitively priced. Same with the Infiniti Q50 (Japanese made if I’m not mistaken). So why can’t Lexus Malaysia provide a more competitive price?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 0
    • Jonn Dol on Feb 14, 2017 at 11:50 am

      The styling of the Lexus IS is an acquired taste, and now with the facelifted version, it divides opinion even further. But one thing for sure, the current Lexus Spindle Grille design language is a hit or miss affair.You have the brilliantly styled Lexus LC and to some extent the ES, but the rest of the other car models are not so well received. Unfortunately for the facelifted Lexus IS, again they fail to execute an elegant styling which is an important element of the premium sedan segment , it won’t challenge the Europeans in significant numbers..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 3
    • Car&Driver on Feb 14, 2017 at 10:13 pm

      Because being in premium, its about perceived value and image, price is secondary for those whom can afford comfortably.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Car&Driver on Feb 14, 2017 at 10:14 pm

      Quality and reliable products never dump price but its hugely overpriced in Malaysia though.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Boot Licker on Feb 14, 2017 at 10:34 am

    300k will be the price

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • sackthedesigner on Feb 14, 2017 at 11:38 am

    The beige interior looks like cheapo camry.

    Sack the designer!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
  • thepolygonal on Feb 14, 2017 at 12:01 pm

    If you think this is pricey wait till the LC 500 touched down here.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • nexto on Feb 14, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    Glorified toyota

    Next!!!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Mikey on Feb 14, 2017 at 12:28 pm

    The Lexus IS facelift is a handsome looking car by any standard. It goes up against a host of compact executive car like BMW 330i, Merc C-250 & Audi A-4 in M’sia.

    It loose out to the Germans in terms of performances bcos of it’s weight(older IS). Lets hope Lexus can mitigate this department in-order to match the Germans.

    In term of looks, I will say the IS is the better looking bunch. The most roomy here is the C-class while the BMW is well known for it’s performance & handling.

    The audi while being a FWD seems quite capable of holding it’s own without being out of place.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Feb 14, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    i like this car but the price gila

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • overprice on Feb 14, 2017 at 2:57 pm

    Can anyone list down what brand is overprice in Malaysia?
    Don’t want to spend money on overprice brand.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • seancorr (Member) on Feb 14, 2017 at 6:41 pm

    Three words – Dead On Arrival. It’s going to cost a bomb

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
 

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