Lexus IS makes Australian debut

Australia has been given its first look at the new Lexus IS sedan that will hit showrooms early in July.

The IS – and the stunning LF-CC concept from last year’s Paris Motor Show – made an appearance in Sydney in lieu of their scheduled June booking at the now-cancelled 2013 Australian International Motor Show.

The new third-generation IS was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January, with fresh contemporary styling, and a 70mm wheelbase stretch to deliver rear seat accommodation to compete with BMW’s 3 Series, Audi’s A4, and the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class due next year.

The days of drab Lexus interiors appear to be over, with the IS cockpit offering similar attention to detail and material quality to the award-winning GS that arrived last year.

Lexus confirmed that the new IS sedan will be launched here with drivetrains spanning the 2.5 litre V6 IS 250, 3.5 litre V6 IS 350, plus a hybrid IS 300h variant for the first time.

The new hybrid will deliver combined fuel consumption of 4.9l/100km from its 2.5 litre four-cylinder/electric drivetrain, with a combined output of 164kW – and a combined torque figure yet to be confirmed.

Lexus Australia spokesman Tyson Bowen confirmed that the hybrid’s nickel-metal hydride battery system will reduce boot capacity by just 30 litres, and the 60/40 rear seat folding mechanism will be unaffected.

This limited boot capacity drop is partially due to the hybrid ditching the petrol models’ space saver spare, with IS 300h models to be equipped run flat tyres or a puncture repair kit –depending on the wheel/tyre package optioned.

Lexus insists that a diesel IS is off the cards for the new model, despite offering the Europe-only IS 220d version of the existing model between 2005-2012.

Lexus' Australia boss Sean Hanley affirmed the brand's focus on hybrids for its efficiency leaders, “Lexus’ commitment to hybrid technology is firm, both now and into the future,” he said.

Lexus is yet to confirm the future of the convertible IS 250C and IS F performance flagship model, but will continue to sell the existing versions alongside the new IS sedan for the foreseeable future.

This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn