Lexus IS Sport Sedan Gets Aggressive For 2014

The Lexus IS, the sport sedan for guys who need four doors but aren't ready to give up driving like they're running moonshine, has undergone a facelift giving the car an aggressive look that matches its high performance capabilities.

Now sporting Lexus's bold new spindle grille that looks like the Predator sneering back at Schwarzenegger, the 2014 IS also got wider flared wheel arches to broaden its stance, a full three inches added to its wheelbase and sharper lines down the sides to add to the sporty look of the car.

“The IS has always been precise and fun to drive,” says Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “The all-new IS kicks it up a notch with true sport sedan driving dynamics, state of the art onboard technologies, and an all-new design that makes it look fast even when it’s standing still.”

The engine choices remain the same as last year, the 250 gets a 2.5L V6 and the 350 comes with a more powerful 3.5L V6. But if you're looking for true balls-out performance, go for the IS-F SPORT. Last year's model came with a 416-hp 5.0L V8 mated to an 8-speed Sport Direct Shift auto transmission with paddle shifters (this year's IS 350 will also get that same tranny). And this year's IS F should be even better—proving once again that the "F" stands for what you'll say when you mash the throttle down.

The new IS is also the first Lexus model to adopt G force Artificial Intelligence (G-AI) control in Sport mode. This system automatically selects the optimal gear and downshift pattern in response to G force, and maintains the selected gear through a corner. It's as close to a luxury race car as you can get for the price.

Inside the 2014 IS gets a new, LFA-inspired steering wheel, electrostatic A/C switches that react to touch, and a Remote Touch-controlled Navigation multimedia system, among other refinements like ambient lighting and a newly designed driver’s seat with better lateral support for taking those high speed turns.

Pricing isn't available yet, and the new models won't go on sale until the summer.