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While the handsome popular but sedate IS250 has been here since 2005 and the high-performance IS-F since last year, Lexus Australia has long agitated for access to the IS350 with its bigger 3.5-litre V6 as a model to match the high end German prestige sixes and to provide middle ground between the IS250 an the IS-F V8.
The IS350 is to be showcased at next month’s Australian International Motor Show with the facelifted IS250.
Australia becomes only the fourth market to receive the full cream IS V6 (the 250 runs a 2.5-litre six).
The IS 350 is powered by a quad-cam 3.5-litre six mated to a six-speed sequential automatic transmission, developing 228kW and 375Nm. That’s good enough to get the Lexus from standing to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds – some three ticks of the clock quicker than the IS250.
Visual tweaks to both models include a new frontal treatment, new wheel and tyre package, along with new safety and comfort refinements.
IS350 will also debut Lexus' F Sport moniker, these models copping unique sports-tuned suspension, wheels, spoilers, unique interior and exterior features and F Sport badging. All IS models equipped with high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights gain LED daytime running lights across the range.
The 2.5-litre V6 petrol henceforth meets Euro 5 emissions regulations.
Pricing for the IS350 will be announced at AIMS. Our guesstimate is that it will undercut BMW’s 335i, so from about $90,000 then.
More on the Australian International Motor Show 2010
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