Reinventing the Lexus IS! - The Downshift Episode 48 

Just had my IS300hybrid for a week. My first Lexus. BMWs 4 pot diesels and petrol engines with vibrations and no charisma made me search for something else. Test drove the Lexus and it took me 5 minutes and I just knew this was my new car. Fantastic feel and comfort. Steering, suspension, seats, chassis, interior etc etc, this is just too good to be true. Thank you Lexus. Even enjoy the drivetrain with CVT gearbox and the fake engine sound :-) Praise the lord I did not have to drive a 4-pot diesel!! Came from a Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 diesel, fantastic car.

I just got myself a 2014 lexus IS, and I laugh because you can't even compare it to a 3 series or a c-class, this car is truly a piece of art and blows bmw and mercedes out of the water...you can't even compare them...the 3 series and c-class are CRAP compared to this car in every single aspect

Meanwhile, Acura is nowhere in sight when it comes to competition. You'd have to be crazy to spend the same kind of cash on an Acura you would on a Lexus. They're all Honda Accords with the same transmission problems that they've had for over 18 years now, despite thousands and thousands of complaints. Even the TLX has hundreds of reports of transmission failure already, and the car just made its debut in mid/late 2015. You know what kind of problems come with a modern Lexus? Accessory problems, ill take a window that wont roll up over a transmission that wont switch gears any day.

I really like the chance they took on those head lights. I think it works quite well.

I currently lease a 2013 Mercedes C 300. My 27 month lease is ending in July. I've considered the 2015 Mercedes C 300 but not seriously because I'm not a fan of their new "look like an S class" design. I'm also not a fan of the interior dashboard design. However, I LOVE the Lexus IS 250 F sport design inside and out. Plus both cars are in the same price range so I'm going for the iS f sport. I think Lexus has done a great job reinventing their brand. The previous generation IS didn't look so exotic and aggressive in styling as much as the current and new generation iS f sport especially with Lexus's new front grill that you can see from a block away and know this is Lexus and it really stands out from the crowd.

It definitely looks unique, just a proud symbol for those Japanese and how they have advanced so much in terms of design and technology.

Might be time I traded my e92 s65 in. That exterior is amazing and the interior looks gorgeous. The ISF might be worthwhile.

i got super excited about the mercedes CLA and now i am checking up on the new C -class that's just around the corner but I have come to realise that i may never leave Lexus - i have had 3 so far the 1999 ES 300 ( 564,000 KM ) still going strong, my 2007 IS 350 - 367,000 KM still going strong although it burns a bit of oil, and my wife has an 2009 IS 250 with 67,000 KM - it's hard to leave this brand ....I may be a Lexus slave ...but a willing one.

it is great! BUT, Lexus, please give us 3.0 turbo engine to match Mercedes and BMW the only big huge minus for me that you guys are still using N/A engines..... only 2.0 Turbo, which is good for older people, but I need at least 300-350horses + that unique design = WIN!

This guy is amazing. He admits that there are other brands that have better cars than their own, he talks about the features of their new plan of direction with a nice, calm and quiet voice. It's like as if he's not out to promote his brand, but only to tell what they've done. And to me that actually works as even better promotion. Who would've thought...

3:55 Leave it to the Japanese to break down "fun to drive" into a scientific formula :)

When I brought my 1st BMW 330ci, I was a damn driving fool...that car has precision beyond belief... but when it falls apart, oh damn !!!

Who made this beatiful piece of music playing in the background?

I love how honest this guy is about the old IS and that he doesn't seem to be very biased

Very intelligent guy. He recognized their own weaknesses and knows their place in the game. This car will have a future.

His honesty is very refreshing. Being critical of yourself is the first path to improvement. Kudos to Lexus and this great engineer.

The new IS will be an ICON - The second generation was good looking but now I believe the new one will shine like a bright star.

The passion with which he talks about his job is outstanding ...

Really enjoyed watching that, listening to the chief engineer and how sincere he was, combined with the music was also very very relaxing. SWEET!

Still not a Lexus fan, but love the honesty and humility of the IS' chief engineer.

totally agree with you here, He seems very humble and actually wants to make the best car he can. He isnt complaining about demographics, expenses, why aren't people buying it etc...He wants the car to be so good that it would sell it self. for the people looking for sedans, its not, "where can i find the best deal" but rather, I must find myself a Lexus.

Thank you! We're glad you enjoyed it!

At first, when I saw the initial leaked photos, I thought the separate headlights and long taillights were ugly.. it didn't make sense, it seemed cluttered. However, the more I looked at it, the more I liked it. Now, seeing this video with it in black... omg this is absolutely gorgeous. Lexus designers weren't lying when they said the IS will be the most radical design yet and holy smokes, they did damn good. Bravo for Lexus for breaking boundaries; I would pick this over a BMW 3 series.

He acknowledges that there were flaws in the Lexus Brand. Any man that can own up to faults is good in my book. I believe in Junichi Furuyama.

They are definitely getting better, and are definitely becoming more and more popular around where I live

i had an E36 3-series and my dad has a Lexus RX. I was amazed by the E36 handling, looks, and overall performance but when i drove the completely different RX I was amazed by different things - how extremely quiet and smooth it is, the quality of the leather and interior, and the reliability. I have an Acura TL now and hopefully gonna get a BMW 335I soon, but I feel like the IS is a very underrated and good car if it combines the best of Lex and BMW. If it was turbocharged, I would def buy it.

Thanks for letting us know, Alex. We're glad you liked it!

These guys are NOT fucking around. And I like that. The automotive industry needs someone to remind them which way is up, when they look "down from".

Thanks for the feedback. We'll see what we can do!

When everyone wants to take you down, its because you've become not only the best but a powerful benchmark, no matter how good the competition try this can't be achieved with 1 success. It's an entire successful lifetime. Excellent job, BMW.

The fact that the designer of the new IS stated that the old IS was not up-to-par, and that the BMW and Mercedes were superior, does nothing more than outline why he did not need to be on the design team (let alone head of it). I bought my 2 IS F's because they were nothing like BMW, Mercedes, etc; NOT because I wished they were more like them. This is the beginning of the end of the Lexus brand as we knew it.

Don't forget that Subaru also makes the most fuel efficient AWD vehicles and definitely a plus that AWD is standard as opposed to being a pricey trim level.

James Nicolai is correct, the music is from Dave Preston, the song in the video is "Blind Lovers Hand in Hand" mixed with one of his other songs, "Be Alive" for the ending.

Absolutely blows the 3 series out of the water with looks

The great thing is that lexus is always improving. When they step up the steering + their dominant reliability, it can't be beat. Sure Benz & BMW are fun but they break down all the time...

admitting that rivals were better than you and trying to develop something new and exciting is really amazing

Yeah, me too. I LOVE Japanese cars for these reasons: 1. They have great practicality, 2. They make good sport cars 3. They have the scientific "nonsense" as some might put it, and 4. Great off-roaders (although this isn't one)

I appreciate Furuyama's honesty. I can't stop staring at the new IS. Emotional and aggressive in just about every way. Love it inside and out. The right man for the job. Good episode of Downshift.

Great little documentary. -The back of the lexus looks amazing 4:27 - Junichi Furuyama is clearly very passionate about his job.

I love the look of the IS. The front end is just amazing with the aggressiveness. In a few years we shall see if Lexus will beat BMW.

I like what Lexus is doing with their IS. It's a car that does not compromise. You get the luxury of a premium sedan without giving up the sportiness of a sports car. Basically, they're becoming like BMW in their own way.

Btw, it is a marketing strategy, but the dealers at least go out of their way to make it seem like they "care". Of course its to attract you to buy their cars again, but it's pretty awesome having a dealer that washes/waxes/wipes down and vacuums the interior for free once a week. It keeps your car totally spotless

This IS looks stellar. The interior alone wins me over hands-down over any thing from Germany.

Lexus isn't my sort of thing but I always respect passionate and/or determined men.

They aren't trying to measure fun. They are trying to figure out what generates that emotion. Then create something that can consistently replicate that emotion.

Although, it may seem counter intuitive, researching and analyzing the definition of a "fun to drive" car and fully characterizing it, is exactly what should be done. I'd only be skeptical of their success in building a "fun to drive" car if they said, they went with a whole new approach that was not as methodical.

I feel that a realization like that is a very good thing indeed - he knows what his competitors offer - hes not lost emotionally thinking that his vehicle is the best. Its only when people think that their cars don't need to aspire towards anything do they NOT see the competition hit them. I think this is a smart guy and though he may or may not get 100% of what he wants, but he definitely was the best chance to get to it the closest at this point in time.

this is one of the first cars in a while (The last was probably the 1 Series M) That I've just been taken away by how it looks. This is seriously a staggeringly beautiful machine. every angle is consistant, every line is engaging. Best of all, it looks like nothing else on the road.

Lexus seems to crunching all the right metrics on every successive redesign of this important model . This latest iteration seems to place just the right amount of pressure On the 3 series . I for one will not be able to resist this beautiful machine.

The more I see this car the more I like it. Can't wait to see what the IS F looks like

I never wanted a Lexus until now, when I know what kind of people make them. They sure are determined. Very good and informative video.

Yet the LFA is the fastest production car around the Nürburgring. That's the most amazing thing about the LFA, while its not the lightest or the fastest car out there, the complete package makes it one of the best.

Japenesse passion for cars has grown hugely over the last years. These people put so much passion into the cars ! The new 3-Series BMW is a shame - looks so bad and the quality is worse than the previous E90 model I am owner of. The BMW on the mechanical side (engine, suspension, brakes etc.) will be always on the first place, no matter how ugly it gets. The new Lexus IS is a master piece - huge respect for the work put into it. And yes you have made it - IS looks a lot better than any 3-Series.

Finally Lexus is here! I've been waiting for awhile now to see Lexus moving forward and boy does the new IS look great! I'm glad that MT got to interview the chief engineer of the IS series. I wish that when the new IS comes out, the challenge is on and that MT will be the host! Definitely loving the way Lexus is moving towards and it's definitely a ride that you will take notice on the streets. Totally loved this MT! Keep up the good work and continue making great videos!

What a great character Mr. Junichi is. This video and this car are pure Japan heritage. Congratulations for this great and inspiring video Motor Trend. Made my day!

As someone who has used an X3 i can tell you that you can buy better SUV's for that money.The good thing about it is that it doesn't feel like an SUV but more like a car(sporty).The extended waranty contract has some paragrafs that mention alot of things they don't cover over those years.It's kind of a tradeoff.

It was my dream to own a Lexus since I was a small boy. I hope it will become a reality one day

I really liked the attitude of the chief engineer as he was true and honest to the situation. It really created the confidence to me as a potential customer. Too often I find chief engineers boosting their creation and brand's ego to point where it is disgusting to listen. I wish every car maker and engineer could be more honest towards the competition, like Chief Engineer Junichi Furuyama is.

You're gravely mistaken if you think any modern BMW is even remotely reliable. As of 2011, BMW was in the 40th percentile for reliability. Between me, family members and friends, we have had nothing but constant electrical failures on a wide range of BMW products (128i, 328i, X3, X5 and X6). I will say that BMW's feel very "solid:" the doors, buttons, steering wheel and controls have a very satisfying feel to them, which may fool people into thinking they are well built.

Definitely puts a lot of pressure on buyers trading in older IS' in 2014...this new IS is a beaut! Cheers to Lexus!

The goodness of Lexus will eventually surpass the others - Their cars just keep better and better at a faster rate

I never really considered a Lexus IS before. Mr. Junichi Furuyama, you have my attention.

If they want to leave their mark in history, they need to trow away those old engines. The rivals every time are updating their engines in every way possible. Not retaining the same one. Not everything is exterior or interior. Engine is what people fall in love if you want to had a fun to drive car

No one understands that the LFA was not meant to be a super fast car. It was basically a testing car to test new technologies that Lexus wanted to slowly incorporate into their main production cars

He should be driving a 335i daily to see what the IS is missing. They are going in the right direction, and knowing Lexus, the next IS after this one is going to be awesome. I think they need to concentrate on reducing weight and improving road feel. More power would be nice too. Honestly, if they had a twin-turbo version with about 400 - 450hp I would be way more interested in this one.

I currently drive a BMW but I'm really digging the new direction and design of Lexus models

This Lexus is like a german engineering with a Samurai soul in it , beautiful

the designer said that his goal is to achieve the 3 series level. Lexus' slogan is "the pursuit of perfection". in this case, the IS chases the BMW 3 series. BMW=perfection

The clear advantage the IS has over the 3 Series is that the interior is usually more luxurious and comfortable. To beat BMW's performance will be tough, I agree. Not saying it can't be done. I drive a Lexus and they rank superior in terms of reliability when compared to BMW and Mercedes (fact, not my opinion). I'd like to see them crush BMW.

I know , that is why i wrote what i wrote...in plain language: the ATS isn't to it's rivals(it isn't a real threat):3 series,IS,A4,C class, what the CTS is to the rivals in it's class(5 series, E class, A6 etc).

The 3 series is the most reliable because it is usualy the simplest BMW.They have alot of problems with the 5,6,7,X6 cars...and it has become a "tradition" in the past few years: the air suspenssion crashing, the Xdrive CPU glitches,the electronics having problems is something very common on new BMW's

I like how this man talks.Realizing that the 3 Series are much better than his cars, but he won't give up.I like how the Japanese are a hardworking people, while at the same time keeping low profile.Unlike Germans, they quite of a show off.

Awesome. The passion Lexus has for their cars is really something to be proud of I would love to own a Lexus. Lexus is " that " brand now I never found anything wrong with Lexus I always loved their cars... now they are getting even better in every way. Bravo Lexus cant wait to see what else you have in store.

Barring the polarizing design, Lexus really needs to make this car "fun to drive" in order for it to survive/thrive in this segment. However, they can't just make it fun to drive, they are going to have to make it the MOST fun to drive.

That was a great look inside, best leash into their heads and their new renaissance of design and engineering.

it's awesome to see that he is truely devoted to doing something great. It's not just that he admits that there are others, but it's how he shows that they really try to make something really great, something that the others don't make!

In Australia, Lexus has a neutral brand-name, it isn't highbrow or anything, people accept that it's a different brand and give it merit where it's due. In regards to prices, we just get dicked with everything

I'd just like to say that I felt this video was extremely well done and I'd love to see more like it. The atmosphere is spot on and the music was perfect. I think this may be the most emotional I've ever felt while watching something Lexus related. Props to the production team.

Best thing about it is the instrumentation lifted from the LF-A.

Well we can't judge a book by its cover. We will just have to wait and see for ourselves when the car arrives in dealerships. Judging from the Motortrend article that accompanied this video, Lexus has done a great job.

pure honest man. you get more credibility this way. honesty always always pays off. whey u lie, u get used to ur lies and u start believing in ur own lies

You are right, a 100K Vette would probably make similar lap times with an LFA.But the LFA is more of an exercise in tehnology:the carbon fiber components and tub, the Yamaha developed engine(more advanced than the engines in the cars you have mentioned:the fastest reving etc) and an instant classic.The sound alone would make up for the price.If you only take in the price thing, yes the Vette or the Porsche or a GTR is a better choice

I would still get a Bmw 3 series over this but listening to him talk gave me a whole new way to look at Lexus.

Seems like a smart guy and I can dig the abstract approach

Not with the current IS. Even the Chief Engineer admits that in the video. But we were talking about reliability. In that area, its BMW or MB that can't touch Lexus.

The Downshift is my favorite Motor Trend segment!

That's a good idea and it looks really cool when somebody lays it all out.

I really like the direction Lexus has chosen to follow. They are really starting to look unique and sexy!

the electronics in luxury cars tend to be more complex than cheaper cars, so there is more to 'go wrong' . For example, instead of having normal mechanical locks that just go up and down, mercedes use a vacuum pump to create a suction that quietly sucks the locks down, i know it sounds stupid but its small details like these that makes the luxury cars stand out. Close the door to a C class then close the door to an IS, the sound is noticeable different, Mercedes doors sounds like bank vaults

The biggest advantage of the Lexus is the price of repairs after the warranty is up. BMW is way more expensive to fix. My uncle had two engine fans go out on his 2007 650 LSi. $2,600.

"The development team had to understand the meaning of fun to drive" I bet that is something that has never been said in Germany.

Loving the IS interior..nice combo of Jag old-fashioned comfort and the German stuff.

The reason you don't understand it is because you have never driven it. If there is anything that I have learned from the automotive industry is that cars are all about "the sum of its parts". Its about how the car feels when you drive it. If you want to understand why this car is so amazing, go on google and search "Jeremy Clarkson on: the Lexus LFA"

Well I hope this guy can still work after his hands are cut off for doing this interview and saying what he did. It's very refreshing to hear an engineer be honest and not arrogant and over confident.

You got that right my 545i is no fun when its sitting in the drive way needing repair after repair. I would go lexus but the styling doesnt do it for me.

I'll admit, I don't really watch MotorTrend's videos, but after this I think i'll have to. As said previously, this video was so well presented and put together, well enough to cause me to sign in and write this comment. I currently have a 2007 is250, and this new is250 seems like a huge advancement on the original 2006 series. Good job Lexus and MotorTrend.

Best of luck with this project, Furuyama-san. From the looks, it looks promising.

Because most people that buy Is250's-350's are everyday middle age people that use it for everything. It's like putting a manual in a Camry, barely anybody is actually gonna buy it. These cars will always be auto because the majority group of people buying it want a auto, this isn't a fr-s or a corvette. the only way they can make it more 'fun' is by improving it's driving dynamics, which is up to the company to do.

I would totally agree with you! The BMWs I've had in recent years have all had some kind of electrical problems. I think they can get away with this because they are better to drive than their competition. That's the reason why I keep going back anyway.

I have a late generation BMW and it is a reliable car with some of the best service out there. I said it. Regardless, I am still excited about this new Lexus. It looks great and I like he focus on fun.