The New LEXUS IS – Individualistic and Captivating

When you think of a luxury sedan, what springs to mind? I’m pretty sure it’s the triumphant German trio, namely Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, and BMW 3 Series. Did Nissan’s premium brand offering, the Infiniti Q50, even cross your mind? What about the Lexus IS?
After having spent 2 days driving the new and improved Lexus IS on the local launch, you should perhaps alter your way of thinking.

The look of Lexus 

Is the aggressive, masculine styling everyone’s cup of tea?  Not that the IS can be described as tea - it’s probably more like a Dirty Martini, with extra olives. And I like Martinis. They’re sophisticated, strong, give you a pleasant kick and get you in a good mood almost instantly. Such is the IS. But not everybody likes Martinis, or the Lexus IS, and SA sales figures reflect that. Overseas, the numbers tell quite a different story – could it be that they have a more enlightened motoring palate?

The refreshed IS is not that much different from the outgoing model, but it has received enough of a nip and a tuck to make you sit up and take notice. The front end’s biggest change is the large air intakes. Around the back you’ll notice the new integrated exhaust pipes. Other less obvious changes include a new wheel design for E and EX grades. For the rest, you can play ‘spot the difference’, but these include:

▪    A redesigned front with bolder rendition of Lexus spindle grille, a new bumper, and a  more sculptured hood with standard LED headlamps,
▪    A revised rear bumper, and combination lamps,
▪    Revised multimedia systems with a 10.3-inch LCD screen,
▪    Improved interior panel finish,
▪    New exterior and interior colours, and a revised design for switches on steering wheel.

On the inside, there’s a big improvement. The dashboard layout and ergonomics stay largely the same, but the buttons and switchgear is of a much higher quality. The surfaces feel more upmarket, and the multimedia systems are more user-friendly. The outgoing IS 350 F Sport’s multimedia system required the hand-eye-coordination of an Olympic marksman to select an option, but we used it quite successfully, thanks to the new ‘enter’ button.  The IS 200t E, which we drove on the second day, has a controller dial (for the infotainment system) much like the BMW 3-Series, allowing you to select options easily. The touch screen resolution in all derivatives is higher, allowing for a much crisper picture. The screen is quite deeply recessed though – for people with poor vision it may be a little too far away.

Smooth and suave

On day one we hopped into the Lexus IS 350 F-Sport. This car has always been one of my favourites to drive – that creamy, smooth, naturally aspirated 3.5-litre engine that seems to purr and whirr, and then sing to you as you flatten your toes against its cool metal pedal.
It’s an exhilarating drive on Sport Plus – a setting you don’t get in the IS 200 t. 

There aren’t that many changes under the IS’s skin – its body is a little more rigid and its dampers have been revised. On our journey through the neglected roads of Mpumalanga, we hit a couple of potholes at speed, and I was surprised at how well the IS handled them – this probably has a lot of do with the adaptive damping, standard on this model…

Later a rainstorm broke out, impairing my visibility in such a way that I could not see 5 metres in front of me. After it had cleared we aquaplaned once or twice, but the IS’s safety systems kept us neatly on our path. The knowledge that you are in a car with 10 airbags also helps to soothe the nerves. (The outgoing model has 8.)
On the long, sweeping bends and sharp turns of the Long Tom Pass, the IS yet again proved its admirable on-road character. The steering is exemplary: firm, but not too firm, and deliciously direct - much better than the over-engineered steering in the BMW M140i I drove recently, despite its Sport-setting.

Japanese turbo tech

Our drive from Dullstroom back to OR Tambo airport was in the entry-level IS 200t E – the one offering the best value for money, if you ask me. Even though I love the dreamy 3.5-litre V6-engine in the F SPORT with all my heart, the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine in the 200t has little to no turbo-lag and smooth, linear acceleration. It’s also much more affordable, at R 601 900. The downsized engine is also easier on the gas. Where the F SPORT (R 728 800) used around 13.5 litres/100 km combined, the 200t never went over the 10.3 litre per 100 km mark. When we were driving sensibly at the speed limit of 120 km/h, we attained a figure of about 7 to 8 litres per 100 km – in the long run it makes a huge difference on your pocket. If you prefer to drive in manual mode, there are flappy paddles that will let you be in complete control of the 8-speed automatic transmission. Left to its own devices, the gearbox shifts so seamlessly that you don’t even know it’s happening, unless you have your eye on the rev counter. The 200t can also be driven in Eco, Normal, or Sport modes.

Put it at the top of your to-drive list

So much enjoyment was had, driving the IS, that I would seriously go the Lexus route if I wanted to buy a Luxury compact sedan. Enveloped in the Dark Rose sport seats of the IS 350 F SPORT, it is clear that nothing was overlooked, and things are no different in the entry-level IS 200t E. The Japanese surely pay attention to detail, and it can be seen and felt everywhere. With regards to features like autonomous braking and acceleration in stop-and-go traffic, this is only available on overseas models. But the Lexus IS is a driver’s car – and driving enthusiasts like to call the shots, and don’t care much for all the electronic nannies fitted to cars nowadays.

So what do you get for your money? See specs below for each derivative, or go to www.lexus.co.za
 
Lexus IS 200t E (R601 900)

•    LED Headlamps
•    Stop & Start Technology
•    17” Alloy wheels (new design)
•    Rear fog lamp
•    Headlamp cleaners
•    Smart entry
•    Auto door lock
•    Exterior mirror: retractable, heated, electric
•    Steering column: electric tilt and telescopic adjustment
•    Seat Heating and ventilation
•    Drive lumbar support
•    Performance rod
•    Rear side airbags added
•    8 speakers
•    7” inch display
•    Radio DVD/Player
•    Remote controller
•    Clearance and back sonar (PDC)
•    Service Plan: 4year / 100 000km (Distance Plan) 

In addition to the above, the Lexus IS 200t EX (R659 100) is equipped with:

•    10” EMVN Player
•    Remote touch interface
•    Navigation
•    Service Plan: 4year / 100 000km (Distance Plan Plus) 

In addition to the above mentioned specifications, the Lexus IS 350 F SPORT (R728 800) features the following:

•    18” Alloy wheels
•    Exterior mirror: auto-retractable, heated, electric, memory
•    Rain-sensing wipers
•    Interior mirror: electrochromatic
•    Driver seat + mirror memory
•    Steering column memory
•    Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)
•    Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS)
•    Sport leather seats
•    Service Plan: 4year / 100 000km (Distance Plan Complete)

We will be testing a Lexus IS early next year, and putting it through a week-long daily commute and also a road-trip test. But for now, go out and test drive one, instead of just following the norm. It will be worth it.