From 2001 to 2005, Lexus offered the IS in a wagon variant, called SportCross. Sadly, the following generation didn’t inherit this variant. However, Autocar reports that the next generation IS will be offered in a wagon variant.

The IS needs something to fight wagon competitors from the likes of BMW and Audi. The loss of wagon variant has hurt sales in Europe, so this move makes perfect sense.

It is also being reported that the next-gen IS will only be offered in hybrid form due to Lexus’ push towards hybrid technology. It’s unknown how this will affect the prospect of an IS F successor. However, it doesn’t sound like a very good idea to me, IS F or not.

The third-generation IS is due in 2011, so we’ll find out the truth soon enough. Hopefully it won’t be hybrid only, but I’m definitely looking forward to the wagon. IS F SportCross anyone?

Source: Autocar