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Lexus IS 250 / IS 350

Text and Photography by Sammy Chan

Not content with already owning one of the world’s best luxury sedan (LS430) and one of the world’s best luxury SUV (LX470), Lexus is also keen to make a loud statement in the entry-level luxury sports sedan category. BMW’s 3-Series has long been regarded and is still the benchmark for others to compare in this sector, but the landscape has now changed with the arrival of an all new Lexus IS.

Although sports sedan is not an entirely uncharted territory for Lexus particularly since the introduction of its first generation IS in 1998, Lexus is still more equated with luxury and refinement than with performance. Stuart Payne, Director responsible for Lexus in Canada said "From concept to execution, Lexus has created in the new IS a luxurious sport sedan with performance to thrill. Driven by the L-Finesse design philosophy introduced earlier on our premium GS 300 and GS 430 models, Lexus has infused the IS series with a new sense of passion and innovation."

To show how serious they are in delivering this objective, Lexus has endowed the new IS with both an all-wheel-drive configuration and a powertrain that features a 306-horsepower, 3.5 litre V6 engine, all this in a compact dimension that measures 4575 mm in length and 1800 mm in width. In short, very much the same prescription as BMW had dictated for its 3-series.

There are now 3 very distinct and different models in the lineup: IS 250, IS 250 AWD and IS 350, all are special in its own right and cater to a wide range of taste. Canadians, particularly Canadian Chinese who usually are more concerned about safety than performance would lean more towards the IS 250 AWD despite a $4000 premium over the similarly equipped base IS 250 (compared with an automatic IS 250 as auto is standard in the AWD model).

Pricing are as follows:

Exterior styling of the new IS is distinctive and purposeful, with the front hood and fenders flared at the right places to purport a sporty and aggressive attitude. Body lines are very taught and sleek, making it look imposing and substantial whichever way you look at it. A coefficient of drag of only 0.27 (versus 0.29 of old) reinforces its dynamism both in look and in feel. With the optional 18-inch wheels on the top model IS 350, it is decidedly track-minded. High Intensity Discharge headlamps are used at the front, HID headlamps require 30% less power than halogen headlights, yet provide much brighter lighting. Side mirrors, which look superb are heated and also contain layers of titanium-silica over its surface to help clear moisture.

IS 250 RWD and IS 250 AWD are equipped with a 2.5-litre V6 engine capable of producing 204 horsepower @ 6400 rpm and 185 lb-ft torque at 4800 rpm. IS 350 shares the same 3.5-litre V6 engine with many products from the same family, including Toyota's RAV4 and Camry and upcoming Lexus RX 350 and ES 350. Both engines feature dual VVT-i (variable valve timing with intelligence) technology and direct fuel injection to maximize torque delivery, ACIS (acoustic control induction system) that adjusts intake manifold length to match engine operating conditions in an effort to optimize performance and a drive-by-wire system that ensures exemplary control across the full throttle range called ETCS-i (electronic throttle control system).

My tester, a base IS 250, is equipped with an all-new 6-speed manual transmission which comes as standard. Shifts are clickety smooth and direct, posing a threat to BMW's dominance on manual transmission's refinement. Automatic transmission is also an all-new design and is standard equipment on top model IS 350. Shift paddles behind the steering wheel, right for upshifting and left paddle for downshifts, allow drivers to change gears to your own liking, same can also be done by moving the shift lever over the manual mode. To my liking and unlike Porsche’s Tiptronic, there’s no preservation mode to let the transmission upshift itself at the redline, and because the engine is rather quiet at doing its job even at the rev limit, one has to be careful of not forgetting to upshift once the rev limit is reached.

Power delivery is smooth and linear, and with the engine as sweet sounding as it is, there’s just simply no other more enjoyable way than gunning every gear to its redline. Stability at high speed is excellent and despite its compact dimensions, the IS is not all that susceptible to crosswinds. Compared to a BMW which is becoming more and more benign these days, the IS is actually more entertaining to drive, not that it will understeer more than a BMW, but its steering is sharper and suspension sportier. Just as in the GS, suspension at front and rear are of double-wishbone type, with geometry optimized to provide stability not only during cornering but in braking as well. By using large vented front discs and solid discs at the rear, the Lexus IS can also quickly shed off speed, its braking so powerful that it really can be considered as a sports car just on that merit alone. ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) by which rear brake force is automatically proportioned are standard, ditto for Vehicle Stability Control VSC and Traction Control.

The AWD option will surely be a not-to-be-missed item on the IS 250, and much to my surprise, it is not even available on the more powerful IS 350. These days, AWD is more and more seen as an enhancement for performance and not just for its safety merits. The system in the IS 250 normally sends power in a 30% front and 70% rear fashion, but worser road conditions can call for a more even 50/50 split. Not to be outdone, the IS 350 is also blessed with a state-of-the-art grip enhancing system called VDIM Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system. Using sensors that measure wheel speed, yaw rate, acceleration and deceleration at the front, back, left and right, acceleration position, brake pedal stroke, steering angle and steering torque, the system can instantly adjust braking, engine output and steering to correct any deviations and to maintain utmost stability.

As much as I miss the Tag Heuer like chronographic gauge in the old Lexus IS 300, the new interior design is still very pleasing in look and in form. As if it’s not loud enough to please a younger crowd, Lexus has decorated the interior with more aluminum touches- on the pedals and the centre console, all the appropriate places to excite your tactile senses. The design of the center console is more in keeping with Lexus tradition, featuring large dials and switches for the various functions. An in-dash, single feed 6 CD changer with 13 speakers is standard, there's also a jack in the centre console to allow you to channel your iPod or MP3 to the car's audio system. For serious audiophiles, a superb sounding Mark Levinson system is available.

The seats are not only pleasing in form, but are also very supportive as well.  On the safety front, front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags are standard and there are three-point seatbelts on all three seating positions at the rear. In addition, there are also knee airbags for both front driver and passenger to reduce injury to the lower body in the event of a frontal collision.

Base price of a generously equipped IS 250 is $4000 cheaper than BMW's 325i. The IS 350 at $48,900 also compares favorably against the weaker $47,900 (manual transmission) BMW 330i, as well as the $49,225 Audi A4 3.2 automatic. Amongst this group, the Lexus is surprisingly the sportiest and although it doesn’t unseat the BMW from the sports sedan crown, it is the most challenging car BMW has ever faced.

Specifications:

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