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Lexus’s Latest Upgrades for Its BMW 3 Series Fighter Show Just How Spoiled Japan Is

Toyota’s luxury division gives its JDM-spec IS new performance accessories.

Rear view of a white Lexus IS 500 with black multi-spoke wheels, quad exhaust tips, and F Sport Parts badge.Lexus
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By Chris Chin

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Believe it or not, the current third-generation Lexus IS is approaching 13 years old. That’s eons for any series production lifecycle.

To keep it relevant, Toyota’s luxury division didn’t just give the model another facelift last year; the Toyota Racing Development department also recently revealed some new performance upgrades at the Tokyo Auto Show. As expected, they’re only for the Japanese-spec model.

Still, it’s proof of how carmakers always give their domestic customers the best equipment and models while keeping it as forbidden fruit for those looking in from the outside. And it just makes us want it even more.

TRD is still in action

White Lexus sedan with black F Sport grille, black multi-spoke wheels, and red brake calipers.
Lexus’ new TRD-engineered F Sport Parts offers performance upgrades for the JDM-spec IS sedan.
Lexus

With the launch of Gazoo Racing as Toyota’s new motorsports and standalone performance brand, the fate of TRD, or Toyota Racing Development was called into question. Why have more than one performance line? It seems redundant.

Close-up of a car front grille with a black mesh pattern and a white lower lip spoiler labeled "F SPORT PARTS.
At first, it looks like a regular F Sport front bumper, but new extensions improve overall airflow for better aerodynamics.
Lexus

TRD apparently isn’t going anywhere. The in-house performance department is behind a new range of performance parts and accessories for Lexus’s BMW 3 Series fighter.

Glossy black aerodynamic car side mirror on a white vehicle door.
The new black-painted side-view mirrors add an even more aggressive and sportier touch.
Lexus

For lucky Japanese Lexus IS customers and owners, buyers can now opt for an upgraded TRD exterior body kit that includes unique body lowering effects, upgraded side view mirrors, and a specially-designed rear lip spoiler to improve the IS’s appearance.

Glossy black side skirt attached to the lower side panel of a silver car.
The new lowered side-skirts help improve airflow to the rear of the vehicle.
Lexus

It builds upon the IS model’s F Sport package by adding extensions to the front and rear lower fascias and a rear diffuser. They’re not just for show, either.

The body upgrades apparently improve aerodynamics, according to Lexus and TRD engineers.

Black rear strut bar installed on the rear bumper of a white Lexus IS 300h with quad exhaust tips.
A new center damper for the rear subframe improves steering response and overall noise, vibration and harshness levels.
Lexus

The accessories also includes a range of upgraded chassis and suspension components, all designed to improve handling and structural rigidity.

White Lexus sedan with aerodynamic airflow lines in green and yellow around the body.
TRD’s body upgrades for the Lexus IS are about the go as much as the show.
Lexus

For instance, a new performance center damper for the subframe is available, which is designed to improve steering response. But it also said to reduce overall road noise and other vibrations and harshness transmitted through the wheels from the road.

Underside of a car chassis showing suspension components highlighted with blue outlines.
Underbody brace kits also improve structural rigidity for better handling at the limits.
Lexus

New underbody bracing options are also available to improve structural rigidity and high-speed stability.

A sweet and sporty hybrid model

Matte gray Lexus IS 300h sedan with black wheels and red brake calipers in a dark smoky setting.
The Lexus IS F Sport Mode Black V incorporates some of the TRD upgrades, plus more.
Lexus

TRD’s accessories for the JDM Lexus IS aren’t the only highlights. Lexus also utilized the collaboration to produce a special- and limited-edition IS called the F Sport Mode Black V.

Gray Lexus IS 300h sedan with black wheels driving on a city street with modern buildings in the background.Lexus

It starts life as an IS F Sport sedan. The special additions include forged multi-spoke lightweight BBS alloy wheels, red-painted performance brake calipers, and the inclusion of some of TRD’s accessories.

The interior also gets some upholstery tweaks, thanks to judicious use of ultra-suede and contrast stitching. The changes occur on the door panels, on the seats and the center console.

Matte gray Lexus IS 300h sedan with black roof and black alloy wheels in a dark studio setting.
While North Americans get only two standard internal combustion engines, Japan gets a unique gas-electric hybrid IS300h.
Lexus

These revisions might seem miniscule. But they all add up to make one of the coolest and sportiest IS models to date, short of the full-fledged IS F and the IS 500 F Sport Performance. As usual, it’s all sadly off limits for those of us in the United States.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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