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Lexus IS 350
The Lexus IS "Intelligent Sport" is a rear-wheel drive, compact luxury sports sedan manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corp. under the Lexus brand and originally sold as the Toyota Altezza in Japan. The model was introduced to slot below the ES in the Lexus lineup and to compete against the BMW 3 Series and the Nissan Skyline/Infiniti G. The first-generation Altezza (codename XE10) was launched in Japan in October 1998, while the Lexus IS 200 made its debut in Europe in 1999 and the IS 300 in North America in 2001.
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2007 Lexus IS
According to the latest industry buzz, it is looking increasingly likely that Lexus will produce a BMW M3 competitor next year. Parent company Toyota has seen not only the ‘halo effect’ that top-of-the-line performance cars have created for other luxury manufacturer’s ranges, but also the ‘bottom line’ effect achieved through increased sales. In truth, this is a model variant that Lexus has to offer to be credible versus its German competitors, so the question is not if but when? Expected to debut at several North American and European auto shows during 2007, the IS500 should be in showrooms by Fall 2007 as a 2008 model year car. It should arrive just in time to spoil the next M3’s launch party and will be the car Lexus uses to tell BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz that it is now playing leap-frog instead of catch-up.
Current Model Year (2006)
Recent Changes
Lexus unveiled its all-new 2006 IS 350 luxury sports sedan in March 2005 with new styling and available all-wheel drive. IS borrows its basic architecture from Lexus's larger GS sedans and loses its wagon body style for '06. Compared to the 2001-05 IS 300, the '06s are some 3 inches longer and wider on a 2.4-inch-longer wheelbase. Four separate models forms the basis of the new IS family in the US Market. The IS 250 versions have a 204-hp V6 and offer rear-wheel drive or AWD. The IS 350 has a 306-hp V6 and rear-wheel drive. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard for the rear-drive 250. Available for the rear-drive 250 and standard for the other models is a 6-speed automatic with a manual shift gate and steering-wheel paddles. All come with ABS, traction/antiskid control, front torso side airbags, curtain side airbags, and front knee airbags. Also standard are leather upholstery and a sunroof. Available are a sport suspension, wood interior trim, and heated/cooled power seats. An optional voice-activated navigation system includes a rearview camera and wireless cell phone link. Rear obstacle detection and steering-linked bi-xenon headlights are also available. So is adaptive cruise control. A new option is Lexus's Pre-Collision Safety System, designed to automatically cinch seatbelts and apply brakes if an unavoidable crash is detected.
Styles and Major Options
The Lexus IS 350 sedan comes in just one trim level. The standard features list includes keyless entry and ignition, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power doors and windows, leather seating, cruise control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a moonroof and a 13-speaker premium audio system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer. Options include a 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, 18-inch wheels, 10-way power seats, a navigation system, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (which allows drivers to set a preferred interval between the IS and traffic ahead), rear park assist, rain-sensing wipers, corner-adaptive headlamps, Bluetooth connectivity and bi-HID headlights.
Pricing
Gas Mileage
EPA estimates [1] (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm)
| Premium Fuel | |
| *MPG City | 21 |
| *MPG Highway | 28 |
| *MPG Combined | 24 |
Reliability
Safety
Lexus IS 350 safety should be an important consideration in your vehicle purchase. A new option is Lexus's Pre-Collision Safety System, designed to automatically cinch seatbelts and apply brakes if an unavoidable crash is detected. The Electronic Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system ensures this acceleration in this car is very safe. This is also backed by multiple other safety features including the alphabet-soup features of TRAC (which prevents wheel-spin), ABS (for safer sudden braking), VSC (skid control), alongside dual-chamber front airbags, a highly effective pre-collision system and increased passenger compartment rigidity.
Photos
Colors
| Exterior Colors | Base |
| Black Onyx |
| Blue Onyx |
| Breakwater Blue Metallic |
| Crystal White |
| Desert Sage Metallic |
| Glacier Frost Mica |
| Matador Red Mica |
| Mystic Gold Metallic |
| Smoky Granite |
| Tungsten Pearl |
| Interior Colors | Base |
| Black |
| Cashmere |
| Sterling |
Lexus IS 350 Colors
When shopping you’ll want to look at the full range of Lexus IS 350 colors. There may be Lexus IS 350 colors that you are unaware of until you do your research. Having a couple choices in mind for Lexus IS 350 colors will make the buying process go that much smoother. Manufacturers often have a good idea of how many vehicles of each shade to produce. However, sometimes a particular color will be unexpectedly popular and there will be high demand. That’s why it’s good to have a back-up color so you won’t have to place a special order, which often can result in a higher price. Dealers are more wiling to make attractive offers if a vehicle is on their lot, and not for one that has to be ordered.
In case you think you may be holding off on you car purchase, you should know that vehicle colors remain fairly consistent from one year to the next. The big change occurs when a car undergoes a major redesign, which often happens every three to five years. The classics, though, such as black, silver and white, are practically available every year. But a lot depends on the vehicle and manufacturer.
Main Competitors
Acura TL, BMW 3-Series, Infiniti G35, Mercedes-Benz C- Class.
Hybrid Models
Unique Attributes
Sports Sedan and Mods
Resale Values
Criticisms
Current Generation: (YYYY–present)
Previous Generations
Third generation (YYYY–YYYY)
Second generation (YYYY–YYYY)
The second generation IS was redesigned for the 2006 model year and was introduced in the fall of 2005. The Toyota Altezza name ceased to be used with the introduction of the Lexus name in Japan. A pre-production example of the model was shown in the 2005 Geneva Autoshow. The slow-selling SportCross station wagon version was dropped from the lineup worldwide.
For the United States, three IS models are sold by Lexus:
IS 250 - 2.5 L V6, 204 hp (152 kW), Rear wheel drive IS 250 AWD - 2.5 L 4GR-FSE V6 with all wheel drive, 204 hp (152 kW) IS 350 - 3.5 L 2GR-FSE V6, 306 hp (228 kW), Rear wheel drive In the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, 2 models are sold by Lexus:
IS 250 - 2.5 L V6, 204 hp (152 kW), Rear wheel drive IS 220d - 2.2 L Inline-4, 175 hp (130 kW), Rear wheel drive. Manual transmission only. The IS 250 RWD comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, and a 6-speed automatic transmission is available as an option. The IS 250 AWD and the IS 350 are only available with the 6-speed automatic. A precrash system is a novelty in the market.
The IS 350's performance has been admirable, and its acceleration is class-leading. It is frequently accolated for it's sub-six-second 0-60mph acceleration time. Some say this marks Lexus' first foray into the "sport compact" market that compares fairly well with its German competitors. However, prevailing criticisms are that its steering is not as communicative as that of the BMW 3 Series, its stability and traction control systems cannot be fully disabled, and that the higher-performance IS 350 is only offered with an automatic transmission. ***The stability control system/traction control system can be disabled by using a code during engine start. Start the car with the parking brake engaged, release the parking brake, push the brake pedal twice, holding it on the second push, engage the parking brake twice, holding it on the second, ...repeating until the vehicle traction light appears on the dash. The systems will be disabled until you turn off the car*** [1]
There are rumors of a higher performance IS, likely with a V8 engine, but there have been no official announcements yet.
First Generation/Origins
Worldwide
Design quirks and oddities
Awards
- 2006 Best New Technology award - Canadian Car of the Year Awards
- Fastest in It's Class- IS 350 2006, AMCI (October 2005) [1] AMCI-Certified Acceleration Testing, Six-Cylinder Automatic Sedans, Ward’s Segmentation
- Top Ranked Entry Luxury Car- IS 300, J.D. Power and Associates (May 2005)
