Lexus IS 2013 News

The New York motor show in April will see the announcement of which vehicle has won the 2014 World COTY, and there looks to be a tough -- and very varied -- field of finalists.Last year's winner was the Volkswagen Golf, which also took awards in pretty well every country on the globe. But this year it could be anything from the little electric BMW i3 to the offroading Jeep Cherokee and even the Citroen C4 peoplemover, judging by the shortlist.A panel of 69 motoring experts from around the world -- including Carsguide's Paul Gover and National Motoring Editor Joshua Dowling -- will choose the winner from: Audi A3, BMW 4 Series, BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford Fusion/Mondeo, Infiniti Q50, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS, Mazda3, Peugeot 308 and Skoda Octavia.The 10 finalists for the 2014 World Luxury Car are the Bentley Flying Spur, BMW X5, Cadillac ELR, Cadillac Escalade, Maserati Ghibli, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Sport and Rolls-Royce Wraith.Due to a tie, there are 11 finalists for the 2014 World Performance Car: Alfa Romeo 4C, Audi RS 6 Avant, BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ferrari 458 Speciale, Ford Fiesta ST, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, Mercedes-Benz A/CLA45 AMG, Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche 911 Turbo and Volkswagen Golf GTI.A separate panel of five 'green' experts will choose the 2014 World Green Car from Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (+ Audi e-gas), BMW i3, Honda Accord Hybrid, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volkswagen XL1.Similarly, a panel of five design experts will decide on the 2014 World Car Design of the Year, from among: BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Mazda3, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volkswagen XL1.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

This hotrod F- model is being tested, not surprisingly, at the Nurburgring in Germany in readiness for a battle with the upcoming BMW M4 coupe. There are also likely to be trimmed-down IS Coupes that build from a body that's slightly wider and longer than the new four-door model. Here in 2014 for around $160,000.

And for the first time, a hybrid IS300h variant has arrived as well as upgrades to the IS 250 and IS 350 models. All three models all come with the option of F Sport enhancements.Now in its third decade, the Toyota luxury brand Lexus is aimed at the luxury European brands, in particular the big three German carmakers. As is the norm, the new Lexus IS models have grown in size with a longer, wider platform that provides more interior space especially in rear-seat legroom and boot capacity.There are styling changes both inside and out highlighted at the front by a new version of the Lexus' trademark spindle grille as well as a sweeping profile.These cars are immaculately finished inside and out in a tradition that has been with the Lexus marque since day one. The quality of materials and workmanship not only makes the car a delight to look at and sit in, but also suggests a high level of reliability.ENGINESUsing the ‘if it ain’t broke …’ philosophy the engines in the IS 250 and IS 350 are unchanged from the outgoing model. The IS 250’s 2.5-litre all-alloy V6 develops 153kW of power and 252Nm of torque, delivered through a six-speed sequential automatic transmission. The 3.5-litre engine in the IS 350 increases outputs to 233kW and 378Nm all-alloy 3.5-litre V6 powerplant matched to a new eight-speed transmission.With the arrival of the IS 300h Lexus is closing in on its target of offering hybrid technology right across its range. It combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle petrol engine with a 650-volt permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor to provide a combined power output of up to 164 kW.Listed fuel consumption for the IS 300h is 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres with CO2 emissions of 113 grams per kilometre. By way of comparison the two petrol-powered models use around twice as much fuel (IS 250 at 9.2 and the IS 350 9.7 L/100km) and about double the emissions (213 and 225 g/km respectively). However, official fuel consumption figures for hybrids are notoriously optimistic and can be very difficult to achieve in real life driving.TECHNOLOGYThe new hybrid powerplant is mated to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission with six-step shift logic and paddle shift.All three IS models come with the option of the Lexus F Sport package including a more rigid chassis, distinct steering and chassis tune through an adaptive variable suspension system and a new drive mode select feature. External features include different front and rear bumpers, side skirts, grille, wheels and badging.FEATURESStandard features across the Lexus IS range include eight airbags, powered and ventilated front seats, reversing camera, satellite navigation, a new pedestrian protection pop-up bonnet, drive mode select, tyre pressure warning sensors, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth phone and audio and digital radio. Sports Luxury models also get a number of additional safety features including two extra airbags, a Pre-Collision Safety System (PCS) with adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning.For those with enough patience, from the fourth quarter of 2013 the all-new Lexus Enform telematics system will be available. Enform will provide a range of connected services such as Enform Concierge (a dial-up link a range of Lexus services); Destination Download (sends destination information to the satellite navigations system);  Fuel Finder (transmits the location of the nearest service stations with comparative fuel prices and availability of premium fuels); Local Search (an internet-based search for local businesses and services): and Weather (forecasts for a selected location).

Lexus’ new IS range arrives in Australia next month, with all-new IS250 and IS350 models joined by the hybrid IS300h for the first time.Lexus has given Allan Jones an early taste of the new IS lineup around Sydney Motorsport Park, and his reaction suggests that Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW are about to have a battle on their hands with their mid-size sedan models. 

Unveiled this week, the hybrid Lexus IS300h scores a big red tick in the Green Vehicle Guide with lowest CO2 emission of any luxury sedan including - the oiler averse brand is keen to point out - any diesel. Previously the Lexus IS range has been six cylinder petrol engines only and the two that power the outgoing range will be recycled for the new model. The 300h though is likely to be the highlight, producing 113 grams of CO2 per kilometre and using 4.9 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle. The combined power output of 164kW from the Lexus IS300h petrol-electric drivetrain gets it to 100km/h from standing in a diesel rivalling 8.5 seconds. It's the first rear-wheel drive Lexus to have the Atkinson Cycle 2.5-litre petrol electric/hybrid powertrain, which features a D-4S fuel injection system, dual VVT-i and exhaust gas recirculation system. The engine drives the rear wheels through an electronic continuously variable transmission. The hybrid battery is positioned beneath the Lexus IS300h's luggage deck board which lowers the centre of gravity - a dynamic plus. From having a hopeless back seat and small boot, the new IS gets a 60:40 rear-fold seat. The Lexus IS300h will be available in Luxury and F-Sport grades, the latter with suspension tuning and electric power steering paired with adaptive variable suspension.  Both get the five setting drive mode select from more expensive Lexus lines. After driving a preproduction V6 through the Hollywood Hills late last year,  Paul Gover hailed the IS - being launched here in the third quarter - as having "pinched the 3Series' benchmark baton".  

Lexus has added special X pack editions of its sales-leading IS 250 and IS 350, ahead of a new model’s arrival later this year to continue the battle against the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 in the luxury mid-sized sedan market. The upgrade packs - worth $9000 - echo special editions from 2011, and are a bid to boost the appeal of the outgoing model until the end of March.  Prices start from $58,990 for the IS 250X and $64,990 for the IS 350X. This represents an increase compared to the base model Prestige spec IS250 ($55,800), while the IS350 price remains the same. However, the special driveaway pricing and extra features are where the added value is found. The X range keeps the IS 250’s 2.5 litre V6 and the IS 350’s gutsy 3.5 litre V6, however gets extra equipment. While the IS 350 already has SATNAV and a reversing camera, these top spec features have been added to the IS 250 X special edition.  The value pack for both variants also includes six-head parking sensors, smart card key and sports pedals. And the ‘XTRA’ appeal coined by Lexus comes in the form of the red accented interior, with red perforated and red stitching. The outside gets a reworking with attractive 18-in alloy wheels, rear lip spoiler, aluminium scuff plates, HID headlamps with daytime running lamps and of course the special edition’s “X” badge.  

Toyota has announced the voluntary recall of 1.7m vehicles worldwide, including some of its luxury Lexus models, over a fuel leak.  This brings to approximately 12m the total number of recalls since 2009 when acceleration problems were blamed for fatal crashes overseas.The latest recall affects only 4844 Australian owners of Lexus IS250 vehicles built between August 2007 and February 2009.  Australian Toyota/Lexus spokesperson Laura Hill said there have been no reports of accidents or injuries here or overseas due to the fuel leak.She said only one of the 117 worldwide reports of owners smelling leaking petrol was in Australia.  Lexus will notify owners by mail to make an appointment with their dealer for the free repair."It takes between two and three hours," Hill said.  "It's a small repair; tightening the fuel pressure sensor to the fuel delivery pipe, or replacing a gasket if there is a leak."Vehicles affected overseas are powered by an Avensis engine which is not included in Toyota or Lexus vehicles available in Australia, she said.

If not quite as hot as the IS-F released last year, the IS 350 ups the ante within the mainstream IS lineup – midway between the IS F’s V8 grunt and the IS 250’s smaller 2.5-litre V6, now retuned for strict Euro 5 emissions regulations. The IS 350 features a gutsy 3.5-litre V6 powerplant clearly designed to compete with the bigger six-cylinder prestige offerings from BMW, Benz and Audi.  You’ll see the new IS 350 at the Australian International Motor Show alongside the newly facelifted IS 250 and the jaw-dropping LFA supercar. The IS 350’s new 3.5-litre engine develops a healthy 228kW and 375Nm, and is mated to a six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission.  Together with the IS 350’s trim dimensions and light weight, the package will see 100km/h on the dial from a standing start in just 5.6 seconds – a significant performance improvement over and above that of the IS 250. Something else that’s new, and hints at Lexus’s new sportier DNA – the IS 350’s ‘F Sport’ ID, together with more sport-oriented suspension, a unique wheel/tyre package, edgier front end plus HID xenon headlamps and LED-based daytime running lights. Pricing is, at the time of writing, still anyone’s guess. That’s due to be announced as the Motor Show kicks off – with the likely best guess in the $90,000 ballpark.

The punchy IS 350 finally joins the local line, Lexus is bringing the F-Sport sub-brand to Australian showrooms, and there are improvements to everything from safety to economy and emissions. There is unlikely to be any price hike despite the changes, although Lexus refuses to discuss showroom stickers ahead of the local IS unveiling at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. "It's a true facelift. It's not just a tickle," says Peter Evans, the new corporate manager for marketing and aftersales at Lexus Australia. It's suspension, it's daytime running lamps, it's the dashboard, its a whole bunch of stuff. And we'll have a range of IS 350 models, as well as the launch of F-Sport. We're planning to price it competitively against its competitors." But there is no diesel for the Lexus IS, as Toyota's luxury brand continues its commitment to hybrid cars in Australia. There is a diesel in Australia but Lexus will soon have the CT200h for Australia and Japanese sources point to a full hybrid in the next generation of the IS in around four years. The importance of the IS update is reflected in its position in Australia. "It's our key model for Australia. Ultimately there are three cars that should drive the brand, and this is number one," says Evans. "The car is doing well. We're happy with the IS but the one we're having more trouble convincing people to consider is the RX." European information on the IS upgrade points to cleaner engines which meet the latest Euro 5 emissions standards, with better efficiency and reduced emissions for the IS 250 automatic and IS 250 coupe-convertible. Exterior changes run to LED daytime running lamps in the nose, a new grille, new rear lamps and new alloy wheel designs. The F-Sport model picks up more of the impact of the V8-powered IS F, with a deep front spoiler, 18-inch alloys, and a big rear spoiler. Inside, there is a sports steering wheel with leather-and-alcantara trim.

The future for Lexus could be sprinkled with high-performance models as its F label becomes as important as an M badge at BMW. The chief engineer of the brand's breakthrough IS-F, Yukihiko Yaguchi, is already checking everything from the GS sedan to the RX soft-roaders for their potential for an F upgrade. He wants more and to do more, even if there is no firm plan. “It hasn't been decided yet but, yes, I would like to do that,” Yaguchi says at the Australian press preview drive of the IS-F at Fuji Speedway in Japan. “It is just an idea . . . but the IS F was just an idea, also.” Yaguchi made the $150,000 IS-F a personal campaign, battling management reluctance and limited support to produce a 5.0-litre V8 competitor for long-standing luxury performance vehicles from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. “I wanted to develop a new breed of animal for Lexus,” Yaguchi says. “In general our company produces rather rational cars and it was certainly a very difficult project . . . I cannot say what the future holds.” Lexus Australia boss John Roca hopes Yaguchi's IS-F will not be a one-shot wonder. “There is nothing on the drawing board at this stage, but you certainly wouldn't rule out similar performance derivatives of GS and LS in the future,” Roca says. “This (car) will also give our existing customers a boost. As much as we have had potential customers wanting to buy a Lexus had this type of vehicle been available, we also have existing customers who have clearly shown they are ready to move into a car of this type.”