Toyota has revealed the next generation Lexus IS sedan. He became more athletic thanks to the work of engineers to strengthen the body, and also began to look … More attractive? But there were also losses: none of the versions will enter the European market, that is, it is unlikely to appear in our countries. But the latter is not surprising – the model has not been sold with us for a long time.
Design
Toyota cars can hardly be called beautiful. Their design is very specific, but there are pleasant exceptions. For example, Toyota Supra. Lexus is a subsidiary of the company. And it, too, cannot be blamed for beauty: can LX, GX, LX and other models be called such?
The new IS continues the tradition of Lexus. But for some reason, this grotesque false radiator grill came to his face:
The entire body, with the exception of the aluminum bumper booster and hood, is made of steel. Door racks – from hot stamping steel, doors – from high-strength steel. The car itself has become slightly larger: 4710 mm (30 mm more) × 1840 (also 30 mm) × 1435 (5 mm). At the same time, the base remained unchanged – 2800 mm.
At the back, the car resembles the stormtroopers from the latest Star Wars:
Lexus IS F SPORT. Source: Lexus
In the most basic version, 18-inch wheels will be available, and for the F-Sport version they will already put 19-inch wheels:
Lexus IS F SPORT. Source: Lexus
The interior has changed little. And he would have looked nice if not for the steering wheel from zero:
Salon can be ordered in black and red version. But this case looks somehow gone too far:
The car received support for CarPlay, Android Auto. All of this is displayed on the new 8- or 10.3-inch touch screens. If you suddenly want to listen to music loudly, then you will be offered the optional Mark Levinson audio system with 17 speakers. Its RMS power is 1700 watts (one thousand seven hundred, I was not mistaken). To control multimedia, a touchpad appeared on the central tunnel. Previously, its function was performed by a joystick.
Iron
The new Lexus IS is not about changing engines. They remained the same here. It is about stiffness and relief. And this is not surprising, because this car was made for the track Shimoyama, located in the recently opened Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama. May and Clarkson are unhappy.
The rigidity of the body was increased due to the strengthening of the side supports of the radiator, as well as an increase in the number of welding points of the front side member. Engineers long sought out all possible sources of vibration and noise.
Relief affected the suspension. For example, the springs became 20% lighter, the A-shaped levers made of forged aluminum – by 18. The anti-roll bar became lighter by 18%.
The engines, as I said, remained the same, so let's go over them briefly:
Version
Characteristics
Lexus IS 300
Turbocharged four-cylinder engine 2.0 (244 hp. And 350 Nm)
Lexus IS 300 AWD
V6 3.5 (263 hp. And 320 Nm)
Lexus IS 350
V6 3.5 (315 hp and 380 Nm)
Lexus IS 350 AWD
V6 3.5 (315 hp and 380 Nm)
Rear-wheel drive versions received an eight-speed "automatic", and AWD all-wheel drive – six.
F-Sport is based on the IS 350. It has more sporty bumpers, large 19-inch wheels, sports seats, red interior color. Only for this version is the optional Dynamic Handling Package available. It includes the most extreme Sports S + mode, 1.8 kg lightweight forged BBS wheels, adaptive suspension and Torsen self-blocking.
Already in the basic version of the Lexus IS 300, the Lexus Safety System + is included – this is a complex that includes a camera and radar, a lane keeping system and adaptive cruise control.
A hybrid version will appear, but nothing is known about it yet.
When and where?
First of all, Lexus IS will appear in the US market. It will happen in late autumn. Later, the car will appear in Asia, the Middle East, South America and Australia. Prices are still unknown.
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Chief editor of the blog – Erika J. Wells .
