New Lexus IS to debut at 2013 Detroit Auto Show

The new Lexus IS - previewed at this year’s Paris Motor Show by the Lexus LF-CC Concept – will debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2013.

Lexus effectively previewed the new IS with the Lexus LF-CC Concept (above) at the Paris Motor show in September (although that really previews a new Lexus IS Coupe to follow) so we know the new IS is going to follow the current Lexus path of producing good looking cars (like the latest Lexus GS).

This time round it looks like Lexus are going to offer a hybrid IS 3000 as the route to the heart of fleet buyers in Europe with a 2.5 litre petrol four-cylinder mated to the usual box of batteries and motor, all running through a CVT ‘box (sadly).

Rumour has it that Lexus are expecting to bring the hybrid IS 300h in at under 100g/km, which could make it a very strong contender in the fleet market, potentially offering official economy figures of over 70mpg and big tax breaks for fleet and company car users.

As well as the IS300h, Lexus will offer a 2.5 litre V6 IS250 with a tweaked version of the V6 in the current IS which is aimed at private buyers for whom the tax breaks are less relevant.

We’ll learn more at (or before) the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, when  the new Lexus IS officially debuts.

By Cars UK