Lexus IS 2019 News

Toyota will reportedly borrow Mazda’s upcoming SkyActiv rear-wheel drive platform and inline-six engines for future products - if the automotive rumour mill is to be believed.As reported by Japan’s Best Car magazine, ‘several’ new rear-wheel drive Toyota and Lexus products will use Mazda’s platform after the upcoming next-generation cars are due to be replaced in around 2026. The immediate replacements for these cars will use Toyota’s TNGA platform, though will switch to Mazda’s new platform after.Mazda’s new rear- or all-wheel drive SkyActiv platform is rumoured to launch between 2020 and 2025. The first Mazda product it will sit under is the next generation Mazda6 in around 2022, while other products are due to also share it, including a new large SUV above the CX-9. The next Lexus RC - also due in 2022 - will be reportedly the first Toyota Lexus product based on Mazda’s platform, as well as the IS, Toyota Mark X and a new Lexus 'coupe' that will sit between the RC and LC and compete with the Audi A7.The petrol straight-six engine at the centre of the new products will displace 3.0-litres, and will employ both supercharging and 48V mild-hybrid technology to improve fuel economy. Mazda is also reportedly developing a plug-in hybrid version of the engine to further increase efficiency.This not the first time that Mazda and Toyota have worked together for product development. The previous-generation Japanese market Mazda3 hybrid used Toyota’s hybrid system and the US-market Yaris - which is different to the Australian model - is based on the Mazda2. The two manufacturers have also committed to building a new $1.6 billion factory in America that will initially build the US Corolla, as well as a new large Mazda SUV that is reportedly in development.Local Mazda and Toyota executives declined to comment on the platform and engine sharing.

Lexus Australia has announced drive-away pricing for its volume selling SUVs and IS sedan in a bid to pump up sales before the end of the financial year.First cab off the rank is the UX200 Luxury small SUV, which is priced from $49,888 drive-away (a saving of $1173). The UX200 has a 126kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a CVT auto, as well as AEB, radar cruise control, heated and electrically-adjustable front seats, satellite navigation and a power-adjustable steering column.The NX300 Luxury is now available for $59,888 drive-away (a saving of $2073). Powered by a 175kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, the NX300 Luxury also includes a 10.3-inch multimedia screen, heated and powered front seats and DAB+ digital radio.Above the NX sits the RX SUV at $69,888 drive-away which offers the biggest saving to consumers of $12,685. The RX300 is powered by the same 175kW 2.0L turbo-petrol engine as the NX, and includes kit such as wireless phone charging, full leather upholstery and a 12-speaker sound system.The brand’s IS300 Luxury sedan is also on sale for $57,888 drive-away, which is a saving of $8809. The IS300 is powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol as the NX and RX, though it develops more power at 180kW and features heated/cooled front seats, leather upholstery and a 10.3-inch multimedia screen.Lexus sales in 2019 so far are down by 1.6 per cent to 2978 units, though some models are enjoying healthy increases including the LX SUV (163 units, up 55.2 per cent on 2018) and the ES sedan (219 units, up 242.2 per cent). The new UX is also selling well in its first year on sale, with 584 units sold in 2019 so far.The EOFY campaign runs until June 30.