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Lexus will keep building the IS 250C and IS 350C convertibles into 2015

Lexus confirms the IS coupe convertibles will live at least one more year.
Lexus 2015 IS 250C IS 350C Convertibles

Lexus has confirmed to Torque News that the IS 250C and IS 350C coupe convertibles will continue on into 2015. Lexus PR confirmed that the new model year for the convertibles will trail the sedans’ by about 5 months. Expect the 2015 model year IS 250C and IS 350C to begin production around December according to Lexus.

Lexus Drop IS Convertible and Move it to the new RC Coupe
In our recent opinion piece, we speculated that the RC would eventually become the platform for the Lexus convertible. Lexus has not moved the convertibles to the new, third-generation platform the 2014 IS sedans moved to a year ago. The 2014 IS 250C and IS 350C cars are basically the same design that began to ship in the US market in late 2009 as 2010 model year cars.

IS Convertibles Use Gen-2 Platform
Keeping the 2015 IS 250C and IS 350C on the “gen-2” platform is not at all a bad thing. Certainly it beats a model year break while Lexus gears up for a redesign that may involve the RC. IS fans may remember that the 2-door hardtop IS convertibles came out a couple years after the Gen-2 IS sedans. The convertibles use the same drivetrains that the IS sedans do. Differences involve more use of aluminum in the convertibles. Basically all the parts that face up, and many underneath the IS convertibles are aluminum. The IS convertibles also have unique front end bodywork and use a different windshield and windshield header than the Gen-2 IS sedans did.

What About the 2015 IS F?
We have asked Lexus if the IS F super sedan will return unchanged again as well. We have not heard back yet and will report what we learn. We have speculated that low volume (100 per year) car will eventually be discontinued in light of the new more powerful RC F. We would be very happy to be wrong.

Related Stories:
2015 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 sedan changes - What you need to know
Lexus IS convertibles to move to the new RC coupe platform by 2016
2015 Lexus V8 RC F coupe will mean the end of the IS F sedan

Main Story Image shows a 2010 IS 350C. Photo by John Goreham

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Lexus

Comments

Daniel (not verified)    August 1, 2014 - 5:29PM

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Wrong! The IS convertible will not transition into the RC. They are COMPLETELY separate vehicles. The RC is based on the GS platform that has been shortened. Put simply, the RC is its own platform, sharing the width of the GS but shorter than the IS. The only similarity shared between the IS and RC is the interior layout, and that is all. The interior will be roomier (wider) than the IS, which will be welcomed.

Bottom line: if you want to have an idea what sitting in the RC will be like, sit in a GS (to get a fell for the ineterior size) then close your eyes and picture an IS interior.

John Goreham    August 17, 2014 - 3:51PM

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I like your style Daniel. I was trying to make the point that the IS C will eventually be discontinued. Then, Lexus will make an RC Convertible. I own an IS 350C, am currently testing the IS 350 AWD, and test the RC line in 2 weeks. I will follow up, and I try to convey the feel of each. Just as an added comment, my IS 350C feels wider and longer inside than the new IS sedan. It actually is longer and wider inside than the previous generation IS. That is only from the front seat of course. The IS C has no legroom - at all, when the seats are adjusted normally for front passengers.