Report: Next Lexus IS to gain Euro-friendly wagon body style

Although Toyot's Lexus luxury brand is now sold in a number of world markets, the up-scale brand is still largely tailored to American tastes. However, with Lexus now looking to expand its presence in Europe, the Japanese automaker is reportedly taking a more worldly approach to its next-generation IS line.

Lexus designed the current IS to compete with the likes of the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but has only managed to do so on U.S. soil. The IS is lacking one major component to truly compete in the European market - a wagon body style.

Lexus offered its first-generation IS with a wagon variant - dubbed the SportCross - but dumped the more utilitarian body style after American buyers failed to bite. However, European buyers still flock to more practical wagon models, leaving a large void in Lexus' European lineup.

Lexus will look to correct that oversight with the next-generation IS, due out in 2011, by adding a Euro-friendly wagon body style. While those across the pond will have access to the more spacious IS, it remains to be seen if Lexus will try a repeat performance in the U.S. market.

In addition to the new wagon variant, Lexus is reportedly considering making the IS line hybrid-only. Lexus has established itself as the leader in the luxury hybrid market and already offers two dedicated hybrid models - the HS250h and the CT200h. It remains to be seen if the decision to go hybrid-only would kill the high-performance IS-F.

References
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