Lexus IS News

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.  

The 2014 Lexus IS will make its official debut at next week’s Detroit Auto Show, but images of the new BMW 3 Series fighter are already starting to turn up online. After images began appearing on various internet sites (leaked from a single Chinese site, apparently) Lexus itself posted these images, which show the new car in F Sport trim. Finally, we get a chance to see what lurks beneath the camouflage in our previously published spy shots. The now-familiar spindle grille is present and accounted for, and it appears to be even more pronounced (and more dimensional) than on the recently updated Lexus GS. There’s a serious amount of venting in the front, too, which gives the new IS a face straight out of science fiction. Look closely, and tell us you don’t see the alien from Predator in the lower fascia; that's a bolder design that we're used to seeing from Lexus. We presume this will be tapered back in non F Sport models, though. The side skirts sweeping upward to join the taillights is a bold move from Lexus, and we like the organic shape of the headlights and taillights. They’re reduced in size, too, in keeping with current automotive design expectations. Overall, Lexus says its trying to give the redesigned IS a broad and powerful stance, and we'd say the company hit the mark. There's no denying that the car has a certain presence, and we suspect that will translate into more buyers in Lexus showrooms. If the exterior isn't enough to convince you, one glance at the new car's interior will probably do the trick. In a word, it's stunning, and easily among the more sporting designs we've seen in recent years. Lexus says the longer wheelbase and thinner front seats combine to give more rear legroom, addressing a common complaint with the previous IS models. Other cabin details include a dash-mounted analog clock, electrostatic switches for the temperature controls, and an LFA-inspired steering wheel. F Sport models also get the driver's meter with moving center ring from the LFA, as well as a perforated leather steering wheel wrap, metal film 3D-look trim, black seat stitching, and aluminum pedals and scuff plates, plus the new Rioja Red interior color option. We’ll bring you more images as well as all the details on the 2014 Lexus IS models as part of our complete 2013 Detroit Auto Show coverage. www.motorauthority.com  

Lexus lodged the Australian trademark application for the RC350 name this week, hinting that we're going to see a new model here in the near future. And that could be the coupe version of the IS expected to be built around the LF-CC concept revealed at Paris motor show.While Carsguide predicted a lot of the concept’s design will be toned down for production, Lexus said at the time that the styling of the rear-wheel drive LF-CC heralds the look of future compact exec models.That means Toyota's luxury platoon is readying for a new attack on the ground held by the mid-sized German prestige nameplates, and an IS coupe would be a well-loaded weapon for the fray.Lexus Australia sells the IS as a four-door sedan and two-door convertible, with prices from $55,800 and $94,300 respectively -- and with the V8-powered IS-F at $126,300.It's likely we'll see the same lineup on the next IS, but there is still plenty of room for a coupe to join the party.The LF-CC carried a hybrid powertrain, but given the Lexus naming conventions, the RC350 is likely to be powered by a 3.5-litre V6 as are the other '350' models in the Lexus stable.

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. 

But that's what I discovered three weeks ago when I wandered into a Lexus dealership in Auckland, New Zealand, to pick up a car for reviewing while I was in the Shaky Isles.Out the front of the showroom was a fellow in a white shirt, tie and trousers with a chamois wiping down a Lexus IS 350 (pictured above outside a Hawke's Bay vineyard).I asked him to show me the office of the general manager Peter Carleton. He said he was Mr Carleton. How often do you find at a luxury dealership, or any dealership for that matter, the boss putting the finishing touches to a car for delivery?That task is usually the role of the detailers, but in this case it was the chief making sure the car was in tip-top condition. He then went out of his way to show me around the Great North Rd premises of Lexus of Auckland City (pictured), one of six Lexus dealerships in NZ and the only stand-alone premises in NZ.Normally they are attached to Toyota premises. Mr Carleton said the NZ luxury market was small and extremely competitive yet their dealership was the best Lexus in the country and attention to detail and customer service were paramount.He is proud of their service and workshops and they have even installed a large window in the waiting lounge overlooking the main workshop so customers can see their car being worked on. The dealership has run out of room in the workshop and has expanded next door as well. Mr Carleton said the prestige franchises were under pressure from grey importers bringing in near-new marques from the UK for tens of thousands of dollars less than the equivalent new model in NZ.He said Lexus was not being impacted as much as the Germans but, once again, top service was the key to attracting and retaining customers. I love driving in NZ because the roads are better built, wider and with the right cambers than here. Venture off the main roads and highways into the countryside and the roads are generally top notch, free of traffic, speed cameras and police. Roads are many and varied so you can explore a car's limits safely.On the main highways there are plenty of overtaking lanes with long stretches, unlike the awful Bruce Highway between Cairns and Brisbane. New cars are expensive but used cars are generally cheaper than here, mainly because of the influx of grey imports from Japan and Europe. Petrol is costly. At one stage premium unleaded was $2.30 and a 65-litre tank cost $130 to fill. Ouch.