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By EWAN KENNEDY
1 March 2010
When the latest Lexus IS250 sports sedan was introduced to
Australia late in 2005 we had only one real complaint with it.
While it's 2.5-litre V6 was impressive at producing up to 153 kW,
we found it lacking somewhat in the torque department. We did
comment at the time that the engine was fine once you worked past
4000 rpm, which suited the sporting driver if they were accustomed
to European sports sedans, but many potential buyers didn’t like
the feel of the engine at lower revs.
Lexus has just announced that it will rectify that by introducing
a 3.5-litre unit that was fitted to American versions of the Lexus
IS from the start, but which wasn’t available in Australian
versions.
That's the good news, the bad news is that you will have to wait
until late 2010 before you can sample the new performance. Though
we are sure your Lexus dealer will be more than happen to take an
order from serious lookers even now.
The new IS350 features an ultra-modern twin-cam 3.5-litre V6
petrol engine, mated to a six-speed sequential transmission,
developing 228 kW of power and 375 Nm of torque. It will be able
to power the car from a standstill to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds.
Note that Lexus Australia is still to confirm these numbers until
closer to the release of the vehicle. However, the Japanese marque
(the top-end player in the Toyota range) is often conservative in
its numbers so the IS350 may be even better than these preliminary
figures indicate.
At this stage the 3.5 engine is only to be offered in the sedan.
Toyota won't comment on whether it will be a possibility in the
IS250 convertible later. The 2.5-litre V6 IS 250 sedan will remain
in the lineup.
Those hard-edged drivers who want nothing but the best in
performance will be able to buy the hotshot 5.0-litre V8 IS F. But
those who don’t put themselves in that class should be aware
that the IS F is a track machine that can be driven on the road.
As such it's pretty rough riding at times, so not to all tastes.
But on the track, it's a very special car.
Lexus chief executive Tony Cramb said the addition of IS350 had
come after a long and intense negotiation process with Lexus' head
office in Japan. "Lexus Australia has always stated that
IS350 would be a welcome addition to the local vehicle line-up and
we are very excited about its arrival.”
The biggest feature of the current Lexus IS250 sedan is the
beautiful on-road balance created by the weight distribution
offered by a set-back front engine and rear-wheel drive. This
layout does compromise rear seat space to some extent, so test
drive one for yourself it tall adults are to be travelling back
there.
That exceptional chassis balance seems sure to continue in the
3.5-litre model. Add that to significantly more power and torque,
and the throttle response we love in the Lexus IS series, and it's
a car we can't wait to drive.
Prices and final equipment levels are still to be finalised, but
we would anticipate the IS350 to retail somewhere in the $85,000
to $95,000 bracket.
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Marque Publishing Company
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