Lexus IS evolves into sportier, more aggressive version

MANILA: Lexus Philippines tonight presented the newest iteration of its compact, rear wheel-driven executive car, the IS. While not yet an all-new model, the Lexus IS gets significantly upgraded and updated.

Lexus reports that the IS nameplate, with the first generation debuting in 1999, has “captured the hearts of over a million enthusiasts around the world,” explaining the fascination that lies in its “tossable and sharp-handling chassis, low to the ground, and powered by a longitudinally-mounted engine sending drive to the rear wheels.”

The new IS is said to build on this “fulfilling sensation.” Development and testing was done at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama. Located in a mountainous region between Toyota City and Okazaki, the central test course is 5.3 kilometers long, featuring a 250-foot elevation change, lots of curves and terrain types. Lexus reported in a release that it is “where the toughest and most challenging roads in the world have been recreated,” and that the IS performance development was predicated on the challenges brought forth by the course “for the sake of delivering an experience like no other to drivers around the world. Moving forward, the new IS sets the bar for the dynamic handling of all future Lexus models.”

The new IS stands lower and is 30 millimeters wider than the version it replaces, and the silhouette was conceived to heighten this by creating “deeply sculpted three-dimensional forms.” A new, unified tail lamp stretches across the rear fascia – lending to an overall dynamic look matches the car’s “speed, agility, and athletic performance.”

The new IS F Sport variant is fitted with 19-inch multi-spoke wheels in a dark premium metallic finish – a nod to the Lexus RC and LC models – onto which 235/40 R19 tires for the front and 265/35 R19 for the rear are affixed. The IS 300h hybrid, on the other hand, also gets 19-inch wheels with a multi-spoke design and shiny silver metallic finish. All of its tires measure 235/40 R19.

Meanwhile, the cabin is marked by a  horizontal instrument panel design and driver-focused dashboard layout. The shift knob and steering wheel are trimmed in perforated leather. Larger circular air vents are an homage to the first-generation IS.

Lexus equips the IS with a new larger touch screen for its infotainment system. The screen has been moved closer to the driver for easier operation and to “minimize driver distraction.”

The new IS 300h Premier gets three available color schemes: black, Dark Rose, and ochre with complementing stitch patterns and accent trims. The IS 350 F Sport’s color choices are F Sport White, F Sport Black, and F Sport Flare Red. On both variants the center console panel is finished in Piano Black along with touch-sensitive temperature controls that can be easily adjusted by gliding a finger over them.

Front seats are sculpted and have eight-way power-adjustable positions with lumbar support; they are ventilated as well. The IS receives a 10-speaker surround sound system. The F Sport model comes with a 10.3-inch Electro Multi Vision touchscreen, while the IS 300h boasts an eight-inch touch screen display. Both variants are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ready.

Under the hood, the F Sport variant gets an NA V6 dishing out 310hp and 380Nm, mated to an eight-speed automatic. The IS 300h gets a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder hybrid power plant mated to a Lexus E-CVT intelligent transmission for optimum efficiency.

The new IS is equipped with the LSS+2 suite of safety features including Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, lane tracing assist, automatic high beam, and more. A total of 10 airbags can deploy when needed, while a pop-up hood reduces injuries to pedestrians.

A rear-facing camera and back-up guide monitor are also present, plus a parking support brake. protected by 10 airbags. A pop-up hood reduces injuries to pedestrians in the event of a collision as well.

The IS 350 F Sport is priced at P3.808 million, while the IS 300h Premier costs P3.328 million. The Lexus IS is available in eight exterior colors, including two newly developed Chromatic colors: Sonic Iridium and Sonic Chrome. F-Sport color choices are White Nova, Radiant Red Contrast Layering, and Heat Blue Contrast Layering while; the Hybrid Premier gets Sonic Quartz and Red Mica Crystal Shine.

Photos from Lexus Philippines

Also read: Lexus PH serves up low down payment, interest-free packages for Nov.