December 12, 2005. Copyright 2005, Graphic News. All rights reserved

New Lexus IS matches BMW on driveability, but choice remains limited
By Neil Winton

LONDON, December 12, Graphic News:  Lexus, the luxury arm of huge Japanese car manufacturer Toyota, is only a bit player in Europe, and its new IS model will have to win sales from the German market leaders BMW, Audi and Mercedes.

The all-new little IS is wider and longer and has captivating good looks compared with the plain-Jane car it replaces. In fact it looks so good that you could almost call it the first sexy Lexus.

Journalists driving the car in the hills and highways around Rome were amazed at the achievement of the Lexus IS, saying that in terms of its handling, ride and power delivery it had finally broken through the barrier separating it from the leading driverÕs car in this sector, the BMW 3-series.

A 2.5 litre six-cylinder petrol version IS 250, with a manual six-speed gearbox or an automatic, is now on sale in Europe. The new computerised six-speed auto box, combined with the direct-injection motor, actually delivers better fuel economy than the manual -- average 31.0 mpg (9.1 litres/100km) versus 28.8 (9.8 litres/100km) for the manual. The wind-cheating, curvy shape of the body gives it a class-leading 0.27 drag co-efficient. A 2.2 litre 4-cylinder diesel follows early next year, the first ever diesel from Lexus, but with a manual gearbox only. Choice is limited compared with the wide range of engines, coupes, estate cars, and convertibles on offer from the market leaders. The IS 350, only available in the U.S., is powered by a 306-hp V6 petrol engine that bolts it to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds. A petrol-electric hybrid version will reach the U.S. market in 2006.

The car is almost eerily quiet, thanks to innovations like sound-absorbing sun visors, and acoustic glass. Eight air bags are standard, and include a world-first Òtwin-chamberÓ construction for the front seat passenger, which is designed to disperse impact more widely than a conventional design. The build quality, never in question with a Lexus, is impeccable. Weight has been reduced by extensive use of aluminium in the bonnet, suspension and engine. ThereÕs not much room for the rear passengers.

Standard equipment is generous. Lexus says its mid-range IS SE model, costing £25,400 (Û37,100), includes standard equipment like leather and electrically adjustable seats, Ipod connection, and extra airbags to protect the knees, which would cost 10.5 percent more for a similar Jaguar, 15.7 percent more for a BMW or 18.2 percent extra for a Mercedes. Repair parts are much cheaper, according to Lexus. This is reflected in lower insurance prices compared with Mercedes, Audi and BMW. Automatic costs an extra £1,000 (Û1,464).

Since starting from scratch in 1989, Lexus has stormed its way to the top of the charts in America, but sales barely register on the luxury car sales radar in Europe. In 2005, market leader Mercedes will sell at least 30 times more cars than its Japanese rival. In 2006, Lexus is expected to sell 32,800 cars in Europe including 18,000 IS models. Last year BMW sold 264,000 3-series cars alone.

Almost every other car sold in Europe -- even in the luxury segment -- is a diesel, and LexusÕs failure to provide any diesels at all has limited its success. The IS diesel will start to change this, not least because of its incredible refinement, power, quietness and economy -- an average claimed 44.8mpg (6.3 l/km). But for the foreseeable future, Lexus will remain an also-ran in Europe.
/ENDS