AUTOZU: Lexus IS

Showing posts with label Lexus IS. Show all posts

Lexus IS Overview

It's not every day you get thrown the keys to a one-off demonstration car, but that is precisely what happened to me on my last visit to Kazama Auto.
Lexus IS

Lexus IS

I was just there to grab some shots of the wild Lexus IS350 that Kazama-san built for last year's Tokyo Auto Salon, but little did I know I would come away from this particular shoot with a silly grin on my face...a grin that lasted for days! I remember vividly when my expression changed. As I slowly drove around the Saitama-ken countryside desperately looking for a cool location to shoot the car, I suddenly found myself on a deserted stretch of straight road. I thought, what the heck, I might as well see if this thing goes as well at is looks...and boy was I in for a surprise. Within a split second of stepping on the gas the turbine had mustered up full boost in second gear and the rear tires instantly lit up, as I shot down the road sideways. I grabbed third and the huge 20-inch rear GoodYears eventually managed to offer some grip, the savage acceleration accompanied by an ear-piercing scream from the external wastegate.

Lexus Announces 2011 IS 350C F Sport Special Edition

Lexus has unwrapped the limited run 2011 IS 350C F Sport Special Edition convertible, which is set to go on sale in the U.S. later this month. Only 175 units will be built, each carrying a $55,120 (not including $875 destination) sticker and some styling and performance upgrades over the standard model. The limited run hardtop convertible comes in a choice of two new colors (Starfire Pearl or Obsidian), and features bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, special exterior badging and 19-inch alloys in a dark graphite finish, wrapped around in 225/35 Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Heated and ventilated black-red leather sport seats with red stitching plus a new wood trim spice up the cabin. Lexus is also offering a comprehensive standard equipment package, which includes navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, rear back-up camera, voice command, Lexus Enform telematics system with Safety Connect and various XM services. To improve handling, the Japanese brand's engineers fitted the F Sport model with new Bilstein shock absorbers, shorter springs and a sway bar. “The F Sport Special Edition builds on the IS 350C and takes the fun of the convertible up another notch,” said Mark Templin, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. “The racing inspired F Sport accessories on this car were precision engineered specifically for this vehicle, allowing us to provide performance without compromise.” By Csaba Daradics

2011 Lexus IS Wallpaper

Carmakers continue to roll out product announcements ahead of next month's Paris Motor show. The latest is Lexus that revealed details on its revised for the 2011 model year, IS series for Europe, which benefits from some modest cosmetic tweaks, additional standard features and the introduction of a new diesel model.Styling changes on the sedan and coupe-convertible models, that include tweaked headlamps that gain LED daytime running lights, reworked rear light clusters, a revised front grille design, new exterior colors and alloy wheel designs. Interior revisions are limited to aMeanwhile, the 2011 F-Sport trim level gets a new deep front spoiler with faired-in fog lights, new grille design and a rear spoiler with integrated stop light plus new 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, there are extra touches of titanium-effect trim and a new dark, anthracite roof liner.Other revisions to the IS range include improvements to the SE-I specification with the addition of rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rear view mirror and new leather upholstery with heated front seats.For the 2011 model year, there's a new IS 200d model powered by a 150-horsepower version of the 2.2-litre diesel engine of the 177HP IS 220d. In the UK, the IS 200d replaces the more potent IS 220d, but in other European markets such as Germany, the two diesel models will be sold together.The IS 200d can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 10.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 205km/h (127mph). Combined cycle fuel consumption is 5.1lt/100km (55.4mpg UK or 46.1mog US) and CO2 emissions are 134g/km compared to 148g/km for the IS 220d.There are also changes to the 2.5-liter V6 petrol engine featured in the IS 250 and IS 250C coupe-convertible with six-speed automatic transmission. According to Lexus, the V6 unit has been revised to meet future Euro5 emissions standards, achieving better fuel economy and CO2 emissions.While power and torque figures remain unchanged at 208HP and 252Nm, combined cycle fuel consumption drops from 9.1lt /100km to 8.4lt/100km (31.7 to 33.6mpg UK), with a concurrent fall in CO2 output from 209 to 194g/km.The 2011 Lexus IS will be formally revealed at the Paris Motor Show next month with European sales starting shortly after.