FrankyX

Yes i have confirmed that today after a few calls also; it is installed in the car ready to go, but awaiting activation in September. After which I have ordered my Starlight Black, IS350 F Sport today. To say that I am a little excited is an understatement! :D Will be available for collection in 7-10 days. I may have to change my profile name from FrankyX to FrankyF. I like it!

According to the press kit, "All new IS 250, 300h and 350 sedans produced from May 2013* will be ready for the activation of Lexus' own connected mobility solution, scheduled for release in late 2013." Yes I understand that 'Ready for Activation', meaning it is already incorporated into the software awaiting subscription activation; however what I'm more so wondering is if a car that has not been made ready for activation, such as the cars arriving now, can they be upgraded to be 'ready for activation', rather than having to wait until 4th qtr?

Will you be able to upgrade to the Enform system on the first release or will you have to wait until the 4th qtr 2013?

Yes i seen the same, surely the 350 F Sport could not start from $84k + On roads; $73k, i'm sure there'll be confirmation to follow. Also, i have noticed that Lexus has taken the pricing model off their website; they are now only allowing you to cost up an X model on both 350 / . Last week i costed up a 350 F Sport and it came to $78k incl on roads and i would expect it to be similar or slightly higher. Looking forward to getting my hands on one next week.

Yea I wasn't sure if it was coming to Aus. Can anyone yet confirm?

I am considering the 3rd gen IS350 Fsport, but what benefit does the AWD give for the additional cost? Surely the ISF 8 speed gearbox in the RWD would be more attractive than the standard 6 speed. What benefit in general would AWD provide over RWD in such a car? I can't wait to get my hands on it to drive in a few weeks. Any info yet on local pricing / specs / colours etc?

I have also noticed this issue today. Can you believe that i have never inserted 1 CD in my car in the 4 1/2 years i have owned it. Anyway, has anyone come across this issue and is there an easy fix? Or does it look to be a service repair? I don't think it to be linked, but i had to have my touch screen replaced last week, it became non responsive. Lucky i had the extended warranty.

Definitely Black, metallic if available, but won't decide until i drive both the 350 & the 300h. If the 4 cylinder is rubbish, as is in the RX270, then I'll go with the 350 F for sure.

Confirmed?

Gotta say, the release video was quite impressive, given all the hype expected for a new release such as the 2014 IS. While all the images, talk and hype is great, i can't wait to drive it to see that it actually does match up. And the below IS3000h, while not confirmed if coming to Aust, it will not be seen in the US, i for one dont mind it. In an F-Sport trim, at 4.5 ltr /100km i may actually consider it (if it does make it's way to our shores).

Love it! But... Not sure about the black plastic trim around rear exhaust, the dash section under the centre air vents, looks quite dated and not thought through properly and the Chrysleresk style clock. Definitely looking forward to further reviews & images from Detroit and a chance to drive later this year.

Looks as though they have opted for the analogue clock between centre air vents as per GS.

Best photos seen to date; while most of the interior is taped over, you can still make out most of the main upgrades. It looks like a complete overhaul. So glad, it looks as though they got rid of the RXish joystick. Major exterior changes are still hard to make out, other than the front grille, side skirts & rear boot shape. I'm truly getting excited now; can't wait for the launch next month in Detroit. http://www.motortren...t_drive/photos/

1) Fuel consumption......hm. not sure if i should raise it....i've got a pretty bad figure. mine is about 15 litres/100 km, while i had abt 12litres/100 km with my previous 250 Seriously, you were getting 12l/100k from your 250? I have had mine for just over 4 years now and the total average is sitting at 8.0L/100km. I would have expected the 350 to be up around 10-12l, but it's all about how you drive it.

The first picture is the 06-09 model, no indicators on side morris; where as the second picture is the 09-11 model with the indicators on mirrors.

So you are saying that this feels more natural to change this way? I have found that with the wife's CX5 (which changes in reverse to the IS) that it felt more unnatural. I don't know if it is because i felt more familiar with the IS set up. But in saying that it is hard to really feel spirited when driving the CX5. How to the European cars change?

Firstly, i had my car seviced a few weeks back now and had the new GS loan car and had the ML sound system, i know it isn't the same car as the IS, BUT... the sound quality was terrible compared to my 2008 IS. As for speaker 'break in', i don't know if this will do enough to take it to the level of the IS. Sure it might help a bit, but not really that much to notice. It didn't seem to have the frequency range as the IS and picks up a lot of the harsher frequencies, that might vibrate the door pannel (eg 250hz). I was disappointed with this and it is sad to hear that the newer IS has this same problem. There must have been some changes they have made over the past few years to lower the quality and save $$ on production etc. As for the value on your new IS, i don't know if it will be hit too much. It all depends on when / if you went to sell. If you plan to keep it for a while, shouldn't be a problem; however if you plan to sell it next year then yes you may see a slump. Glad you're loving it. I know i'll be sussing out the new IS next year and will definitely be considering the 350 Fsport.

http://youtu.be/jE1eeBo9qgU Impressive. 8spd standard. Longer wheelbase & the best shot of the interior so far.

www.motorauthority.com/news/1080890_2014-lexus-is-to-feature-is-250-and-is-300h-variants?fbfanpage

Just seen this on Motor Authority... Still no news on release timings. Lexus is set to launch the 2014 IS model range at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. From what we’ve learned, that will include the entry-level IS 250, the IS 300h hybrid, the IS 350 and our personal favorite, the high-performance IS F.

CX5 GT. She had a Mazda3 and wanted to stay with Mazda. Not a bad car, but damn it won't get you anywhere in a hurry - gutless!

Well the time had come to decide last week and i decided to keep my IS and refinanced it. I couldn't let it go, i looked at Sportivos and SS for the larger car, and it was an old lady at Toyota walked passed me and said you are not trading that in for a Camry are you? Bam, my decision was made, pfffh, how could i even consider looking at the Sportivo. It was pretty disappointing to drive actually. In the end, i just bought the missus a new car. It was a win win. Anyway, i will also be likely now to be looking at upgrading to the new 350 when they come out. I don't see Lexus releasing a new shape for the 250 only and not the 350 at the same time. Like the GS, they were released across the entire range. If June / July 2013 is still accurate, i believe we will see a new shape across the range.

I'd be interested to hear what Lexus' idea was behind not having the usual stand. Given with the facelifted RX & new GS, it just doesn't make sense to not make an appearance.

Piss poor performance from Lexus at this years motor show. Only 1 car on display, the blue LF-LC. I was keen to check out the new GS and of course the IS given that i am looking to upgrade. The stand is right next to the Infinity stand and is almost hidden. Infinity will give Lexus a good push to improve their interiors, they are impressive and the Lexus range is now starting to look dated. They are at a slight premium price wise to Lexus, but from first looks definitely seems to be justified. Again, i can't emphasise enough how disappointed i was to see the lack of the Lexus stand.

Yes well the baby seat is about to go forward facing, so it will open up the rear seat room and front seats can go back into position. My heart will want me to upgrade to a 3 gen IS 350 Fsport as they are released, but my head is saying that Lexus will be offering more finance offers coming into mid next year to clear as much of the old stock as they can. I will almost bet they will bring back the 0% in the next few months. I think i'll ride it out and see what happens next year.