Lexus IS Range: New Look, New Engines

By Motoring Channel Staff

Setting new class standards in driving dynamics, on-board luxury and ergonomic excellence, the new IS - the next generation of Lexus’ compact sports sedan - made its world debut at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show.

Building on the success of the first IS (reviewed here), the new model range offers an exclusive, highly sophisticated experience within the compact luxury segment, and forgoes the inline 6-cylinder engine in favour of a bent six and a 4-cylinder diesel.

With standard features like 10 airbags and the option of a V6 petrol engine, the new IS range will provide a massive boost for the Japanese luxury car maker, and the next generation IS also marks the introduction of the first ever Lexus diesel engine.

The most powerful unit in its displacement category, the new, all aluminium, 2.2-litre powerplant fulfils the most exacting standards of Lexus performance and refinement.

It combines exceptionally quiet, ultra-smooth operating characteristics with class-leading torque availability and power. The 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel unit is the most powerful in its class according to Lexus, producing 129kW (175bhp), and has class-leading torque output, 400Nm from just 2000 to 2400rpm.

The introduction of a diesel engine within the Lexus model range will have a fundamental impact on the strength of the brand throughout Europe.

"Diesel is critical to any brand’s success in Europe," considers Karl Schlicht, Vice President of Lexus Europe. "Our first diesel engine will open the market to us and it will put Lexus on a level playing field."

With an aggressive, very contemporary image, the IS range follows the new GS model in expressing the Lexus L-Finesse design philosophy.

The all-new design will be looked at closely by rivals of Lexus, such as BMW and Audi, as Lexus has a larger market share in North America than the two German automakers.

Other features of the new Lexus IS range include:

New direct-injection 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine
6-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift gear change (for V6 model)
10 airbags as standard, including first-in-segment double knee airbag
Radar-controlled Pre-crash Safety System (PCS)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Intelligent Adaptive Front Lighting System (I-AFS)

Superior body control, cornering grip and straight-line stability will be hallmarks of the new IS, says Lexus, potentially making it one of the best-handling sports saloons in its segment. It will feature class-leading safety equipment, including Lexus’s radar-controlled Pre-Crash Safety system (PCs), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Intelligent Adaptive Front Lighting System (I-AFS).

The increase in sales volume generated by the new Lexus IS, and in particular the new diesel engine, is expected to instigate the growth of a dedicated dealer network of some 340 Lexus outlets throughout Europe, says the Japanese company. As a result, by 2010, Lexus anticipates a three to four-fold increase in European sales.

The new generation IS will go on sale in Europe at the end of 2005 with the diesel model following in 2006.