For close to three decades now, the BMW 3-Series has been the benchmark for premium sport sedans. Over the years, many luxury carmakers tried but none has really succeeded in knocking down the 3-Series from its throne.
After GM and the new Cadillac ATS, it's the Toyota group's turn to take another swipe at BMW's best-seller with the completely redesigned 2014 Lexus IS.
In the latest episode of "The Downshift", Motor Trend magazine sits down and talks with Junichi Furuyama, the new Chief Engineer of the Lexus IS about the significant changes made to the sedan model.
"My mission is to overtake the BMW 3-Series as number one in the compact sedan category," says Furuyama. "That is the way I see it. That is the task we are assigned."
Furuyama admits that the previous IS fell short of expectations in terms of driving pleasure.
"As soon as I was assigned to be IS chief engineers of the IS, I drove all the rival cars and studies all the differences," he says. "Unfortunately, while I thought the IS was one of the sportier and more enjoyable cars in this segment, I found out that the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class were actually a few steps ahead of us. That was my initial feeling."
You can view the entire interview in the video that follows.
18 Comments:
thank you for that. its been y while since i saw such an simple but emotionally clip about cars.
Based on looks, I like the reserved 3 series front end more than the angry origami face on the IS. But to each his own.
most of the commenters here are bashing Lexus because it's a Japanese car maker. It's pure racial bigotry. This IS is really beautiful inside and out.
Could you be more obvious?
Is it racist to bash the French? Or the Russians? What about the Chinese? Or the Italians?
Absolutely gorgeous, Im still on the fence about the interior though, but I'm beginning to warm up to it. I can't wait for an ATS and 3-series comparison.
LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL nice one Junichi, you should be on TV.
I could see this butting heads with the Cadillac ATS, but not the 3-series
Agreed. You cannot dethrone such a benchmark while your product sports Nike swoosh logos in front of the car. Totally ruining the charm which is already limited.
The Carscoop comments would be so much more pleasant if a of lot the sentences started " In my opinion" , as opposed to " it's ugly." or " what idiot would.........". This is a website for car buffs, not buffoons.
Let's respect each other and the trolls should roam the CNN website where everyone is a hater.
I kind of like the idea of an "implied" headlamp silhouette, it is very sophisticated and a progressive front to the Germans who have pioneered progressive and beautiful design for the last decade.
There are new frontiers to conquer, and I am getting tired of of the one-piece headlamp that has pervaded American car design since the 70's. It's too confining. Over the last couple of decades, it made sense from a manufacturing standpoint, but we don't have to limit ourselves in this age of technology and manufacturing prowess.
If Lexus wants anyone to take them seriously in the campaign to take down the 3 series, it's time to start making a modable (performance wise) engine again. The N54/N55 6 cylinder TT in the BMW is so much fun to play with and thats what attracts the most car enthusias.
-2011 Lexus IS350 Owner
Very true especially for a car used to have a non-turbo Supra motor in it back in the day.
From a shear marketing stand point the reality is that Lexus will never overtake BMW for sales. That's how they determine if they are better... SALES. To compare other juggernauts of different genres. Coke and Pepsi.. Coke wins. Pepsi has been trying for 40 years. McDonald's and Burger King. Probably just as long. That's just to name a couple. There are tons of similar comparisons. Lexis just doesn't have the worldwide presence of BMW. Nor do they have the heart of most enthusiasts here in America . They may increase their sales with the all new IS but never will they dethrone an American (German) car enthusiasts.
With each new generation of 3 series becoming duller to drive, I think the new IS has a pretty good chance of being more 'fun-to-drive' than the latest 3.
Wow etiquette!
It is Insecurity. Racial bigotry or bias is only the way used to put the other down. Not having the balls to appreciate.
Such a brilliant car..
I've driven the now previous IS350 and it was amazing to say the least!
This new one looks beautiful in black!
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