Lexus IS350 News

The new IS upgrades are expected to help Lexus achieve a sales record in Australia of more than 9000 vehicles.

Lexus believes four-wheel steer could give it the edge over its competitors in the competitive sports sedan segment. The system has the rear wheels turn at the same time as the front ones -- but only a small amount -- to help the car through corners.The idea gained some traction with Japanese car makers in the 80s, notably with cars like the Honda Prelude and Mazda MX-6 coupe. At the time, it was touted as the next big thing but the system was clunky and could be expensive to repair if things went wrong.That was then this is now. Technology has moved on and BMW already offers the system with its 5 and 7 Series models and Lexus introduced four-wheel steer in the first of its cars last year with its GS line.It has also been trialling the system in the smaller IS range in Japan and the Australian arm of the company is keen to get a piece of that action. Lexus Australia boss Sean Hanley believes it could give the car a much-needed competitive edge.HOW IT WORKSLexus calls its system Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS), and has it turn the rear wheels of the car two per cent – a seemingly tiny amount but enough to make a difference to the cornering. At low speeds the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels to reduce the car's turning circle and the level of steering effort required.But at speeds of more than 80km/h, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels. This makes the steering more responsiveness and gives it an intuitive feel at medium speeds, plus greater stability and vehicle posture for increased safety and comfort at higher speeds.The net result is the turning circle is reduced by almost half a metre at parking speeds and it also reduces the tendency of rear wheel drive vehicles like those produced by Lexus to step out or oversteer in a corner. We had the opportunity to put a car fitted with the rear wheel steer system through its paces on a recent trip to Japan. Unfortunately we had no car with standard steering to compare it with and Lexus has apparently not quantified the difference it makes to track times (although we thought that would have been an obvious thing to do). Having said that the car was plenty of fun to drive.WHEN MIGHT WE SEE IT HERE?Lexus wants to add the system to its F Sport models. "We think it gives us another progressive edge in the market place," Hanley says. "And the other thing is that it is significantly well developed now. So we're bringing to market a very credible technology, with great safety and performance that is aligned very very well to Lexus's innovative and fun to drive performance car strategy."At this stage the system is available only in Japan but it is under evaluation for other markets. If it is approved for overseas use it is likely to find its way into Aussie cars within the next year or so, probably when the car receives its mid-life facelift. Rear or four-wheel steer is part of the Lexus Dynamic handling System (LDHS) that features the world's first integration of Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS), Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) and Electric Power Steering (EPS}.

Take some high-tech projection mapping software, an empty warehouse, an F1 driver and the new Lexus IS Hybrid and it becomes the recipe for the world's first full-sized, real time video game. Created for the Italian branch of Lexus, to launch the Hybrid IS there, the project chose 10 of the brand's Facebook fans and paired them with F1 driver Jarno Trulli and a projection mapping iPad app to compete against each other.Each had to design a race circuit, then ride shotgun with Trulli while tracing their course on the iPad, which projected their circuit onto the warehouse floor. Called 'Trace Your Road', the competition set the task of hitting seven designated touch points while completing the circuit in the fastest time.  Watch the 'Trace Your Road' video game action.  This reporter is on Twitter: @Karla_Pincott  

The safety recall is to fix electrical and mechanical defects that could cause the vehicles to either stall while being driven, or to go into 'limp home' mode, where they can be driven only at designated lower speeds.The 2006-2008 Lexus RX 400h is being recalled for a problem in the car's hybrid system that could see solder on transistors become heat damaged -- particularly under high load or when towing -- activating warning lights and shutting down the system, causing the vehicle to either go into 'limp home' mode or shut down altogether. The Australian portion of the recall will affect about 1750 Lexus RX400h vehicles built from June 2006 to December 2008. Lexus said there had been no incidents related to the issue reported in Australia, but cautioned care while driving. "Motorists can continue to drive their vehicle, however are advised to avoid towing, or rapid acceleration until the vehicle has been inspected," Lexus spokesperson Beck Angel said. "Motorists are advised to stop driving and contact their preferred Lexus dealer if the engine warning lights illuminate."More than 100,000 Lexus IS 350, IS 350C and GS 350 vehicles from 2006-2011 are also being recalled for a defect in which bolts securing the variable valve timing control device may work loose, causing the vehicle to stop. Lexus has alerted owners that an abnormal noise in the vehicles may show early symptoms of the defect. Affected customers will be notified of the recall by mail at their last known address and asked to make an appointment at their preferred Lexus dealer, where affected parts will be replaced. For further information about the recall, customers can call the Lexus Customer Assistance Centre on 1800 023 009.

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. 

It's hard to see what's happening under the camouflage, but Lexus is aiming for Audi-style quality and BMW-style driving dynamics with a car that's definitely going to be much more adventurous in design. 

The Japanese luxury arm of Toyota is aiming for automotive botox with its expanding F-Sport range, now adorning the CT small hybrid and IS sedan ranges, but destined during 2012 for the bulk of the Lexus range. Lexus Australia chief executive Tony Cramb says the brand is broadening its appeal with F-Sport and the halo-car $750,000 LFA. "From our point of view it's something to inspire a new group of customers, even though only 10 will get to own one," he says. F Sport models will number 7 in total by the end of next year, starting with the new GS in the first half of next year and spreading through the passenger car and even the SUV ranks. Lexus marketing manager Peter Evans says Lexus is looking to improve its emotional appeal and attainability following the good response to the ISF sedan. "Our F-range of products started 12 months ago, there was a clear understanding that Lexus needed an attainable sports model," he says. The F-Sport upgrades - which focus on chassis, steering, brakes and the wheel/tyre packages - are not restricted to a small number of models and Lexus Australia is pushing the DNA link between the LFA supercar and its expanding range. "F-Sport will become a prominent part of our model mix, not just for the petrol buyer. CT hybrid set in motion an offering not considered before," he says. Since it was introduced into the Lexus brand 12 months ago, Lexus says the F-Sport packages account for almost a third of CT hybrid sales and nearly half of the IS sedan's sales tally. "The LFA has resonated with our customers, F-Sport in Australia has put us on the map as a global study, we're regularly requested by Japan to present on the program," Mr Evans says.

KEEN drivers considering a luxury car will soon have a new reason to put a Lexus on their shopping list. An F-Sport version of the upcoming mid-sized Lexus GS is about to be revealed as the Japanese maker looks to duplicate the success of its IS F-Sport cars in a bigger body. The GS-F is part of a progressive rollout of the new model that will also include a new hybrid and, eventually, a genuine hotrod GS with a V8 engine under the bonnet. Details of the program are confirmed by Koji Sato, deputy chief engineer of the GS, during an exclusive preview drive of the new car in Pasadena, on the outskirts of Los Angeles. He says the regular V6-powered GS comes first, followed by the hybrid at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, then the F-Sport car at America's biggest hotrod and accessories convention in Las Vegas in the first week of November. "It will be revealed at the SEMA show," Sato says of the GS-F. He also confirms that the youthful approach for the new GS is creating potential for more body styles, most likely a coupe. "We have made no decisions but we have many feasibility studies. Yes, a coupe is one. It might work better with this new GS." The latest GS - which Carsguide drove in Los Angeles - is intended to slash the current age of owners by more than 15 years. "Current model is bought mostly by people who are in retirement. We want to have professionals from 30 to 40," says Sato. "This must be a conquest model. We must compete with BMW and Mercedes- Benz." Sato says the progressive rollout of GS models is typical of the brand but intended to give more focus to the performance cars. The V6 sets the basic benchmark, with the hybrid focussed more on extra performance than electric city driving, with the GS-F to transform the car into an M5 rival. But he refuses to discuss the potential for a V8 engine in the GS, despite the relative success of the IS-F - which still fails to match a BMW M3 or Benz C63 - with an eight in the engine bay. "We have no V8. Not yet," Sato says, with a smile.

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.