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Report: Lexus Planning Wagon For Next-Gen IS Series

 
3 2,851 views Mar 12, 2010
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2005 Lexus IS 300 5dr SportCross Wagon Auto Angular Rear Exterior View

HI-RES GALLERY: 2005 Lexus IS 300 5dr SportCross Wagon Auto Angular Rear Exterior View

Wagons are the new new crossover. Wagons are no longer lame, stodgy modes of torture a la National Lampoon's Family Vacation. Wagons are...well, useful. Americans have finally woken back up to the truth of the wagon (at least partially) from the dream of the SUV, and it's looking like Lexus may capitalize on the awakening with the next-gen IS.

At least, if the latest rumors hold true. According to the new reports, the Lexus IS could spawn a wagon variant to better compete with the 3-Series and C-Class in Europe. Considering that America is Lexus's biggest market, however, any such production decision would likely also be predicated on acceptance on our side of the big salty pond as well. The last time Lexus made a wagon-like IS, it was during the first-generation's run, and was billed as the IS 300 SportCross.

If the new IS wagon does come to fruition, it'll be in the 2011 calendar year as a 2012 model, most likely, as that's when the third-gen Lexus IS is expected to debut. Further rumors are that Lexus may take the entire IS range into hybrid-only territory with the new generation, further pushing the case for U.S. sale, where hybrids are king and diesel--like the wagon bodystyle--is still marred by perceptions that date back to the 1970s.

We'll keep you posted on the latest as it breaks. If Lexus is working on a wagon version of the IS, we expect to begin seeing spy shots of it soon.

[Autocar]





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Comments (3)

  1. By NoNameDenton Posted: 3/12/2010 3:42pm PST

    Well smart move considering it is supposed to fight the 3 series, however Lexus really needs more torque for the engines in the IS
     
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  2. By Dan Posted: 3/13/2010 5:35pm PST

    Wow, first Acura, and now Lexus. Maybe an Infiniti G37 wagon in the near future? It's good to see the Japanese manufacterers are atleast attempting to battle the latest Euro wagons.
     
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  3. By NoNameDenton Posted: 3/13/2010 8:33pm PST

    Dan there is already a wagon for the G, it is called the EX
     
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