Get a closer look at the new IS
By Brian Chee
|
August 9, 2005
Photo 1 -- Exterior Side
Despite one or two hiccups, the 2006 Lexus IS is exactly what people expect the entry level player from the Lexus family to be: Fun to drive, great to look at and equipped with the latest in terms of safety and performance technology.
Photo 2 -- Exterior Rear
Photo 3 -- Pedals
Test Vehicle: 2006 Lexus IS 250; IS 250 AWD; IS 350
Price Range: $30,000-$38,000 (estimated)
Engine Size and Type: 2.5-liter V6 (IS 250); 3.5-liter V6 (IS 350)
Engine Horsepower: 204 at 6,400 rpm (IS 250); 306 at 6,400 rpm (IS 350)
Engine Torque: 185 lb.-ft. at 4,800 rpm (IS 250); 277 lb.-ft. at 4,800 rpm (IS 350)
Transmission: Six-speed manual (std. IS 250); six-speed automatic (opt. IS 250 and std. IS 250 AWD and IS 350)
Curb Weight: 3,455 lbs. (IS 250); 3,435 lbs. (IS 250 AWD); 3,651 lbs. (IS 350)
EPA Fuel Economy: TBA
Length: 180.1 inches
Width: 70.9 inches
Wheelbase: 107.5 inches
Height: 56.1 inches
Legroom (front/rear): 43.9/30.6 inches
Headroom (front/rear): 39.6/36.9 inches
Max. Seating Capacity: Five
Max. Cargo Volume: 13.0 cubic feet
Competitors: Acura TL, Acura TSX, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac CTS, Chrysler 300, Infiniti G35, Jaguar X-Type, Lincoln LS, Lincoln Zephyr, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Nissan Maxima, Saab 9-3, Subaru Legacy GT, Volkswagen Passat, Volvo S40, Volvo S60
Photo 4 -- Exterior Front
Pricing will be available later this summer, and the car goes on sale in October. You can bet, though, that the new Lexus IS will come in around its erstwhile competitor – the BMW 3 Series, with a base model available for those not quite ready for luxury prime time. All models come with an array of features designed to make your ride safe, smooth and sublime.
Photo 5 -- Exterior Front
In addition to being all-new, the 2006 Lexus IS also offers three trims from which to choose. There’s the base IS 250, the cold climes IS 250 AWD and the top dog IS 350, which is powered by a 3.5-liter, V6 engine – a variation of the 3.0-liter engine that resides in the uptown GS 300. That 3.5-liter V6 manages a nice 306 horsepower at 6,400 rpm, and though the IS 250’s 2.5-liter V6 is also a fine engine – at 204 horsepower at 6,400 rpm – you may well want the extra oomph on the straight-aways. Getting friendly with those engines are two transmission choices: a manual six, available on the Lexus IS 250, and a six-speed automatic with steering wheel paddles, optional on the IS 250 and standard on the IS 250 all-wheel-drive and IS 350.
Photo 6 -- Wheel
Powering the 2006 Lexus IS 250 is a 2.5-liter V6 that generates 204 horsepower at 6,400 rpm, and is mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters. Lexus car guys say that the engine has a new direct-to-cylinder fuel injection system that helps to keep the cylinders cool, creating greater compression and better efficiency. It’s all part of a powertrain that, when combined with the new suspension setup underneath, provides seamless power and plenty of torque. In fact, the powertrain – and dual exhaust – is so efficient at doing its job that engine noise is but a whisper inside the cabin. Same is true for the larger engine in the IS 350 – a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 306 horsepower at 6,400 rpm.
Photo 7 -- Gearshift
As with most luxury cars, features such as power doors and windows are standard on the 2006 Lexus IS. Other standard features on all models include SmartAccess keyless entry and engine start – the button you see on all the Lexus commercials – a six-disc in-dash CD changer, driver and passenger airbags all around, including knee bags for the front passengers. There’s also a 13-speaker audio system, and dual-zone climate control. Other standard features include steering wheel paddle shifters and low-profile 17-inch front and rear tires.
Standard safety equipment includes traction control (TRAC), antilock brakes (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Daytime Running Lights (DRL). There’s also a standard tire pressure monitor system on all IS models. Options seem to be where it’s at when you think IS, and according to Lexus this was done with the intent to have an attainable model – the IS 250 – for the average 29-something crowd who made the IS popular. They’re betting that if they can keep the price within reach, they may be able make these young people fall in love with the new IS – don’t bet against it, though truth be told the new IS has lost some of its Wonderdog charm.
Photo 8 -- Front Seats
Lexus IS buyers get plenty of comfort in the new Lexus IS, no matter which trim they choose, along with typical Lexus simplicity when it comes to the layout of entertainment and environmental controls. Optitron gauges are standard on all IS models, as is the Lexus Smart Access entry with push-button start system. A telescoping steering wheel is also standard, with a power version available as an option. The standard stereo, with 194 watts of power and 13 speakers, is enough sound for most people. Just do yourself a favor: Before going with the included system, make the salesperson sit inside an IS with the Mark Levinson setup – 300 watts and 14 speakers – and turn that sucker up, way up.
Photo 9 -- Rear Seats
Whereas the previous IS was docked points for a generally unfinished and un-Lexus-like interior, the new IS takes the next step toward finishing the thought with touchy-feely surfaces, comfortable seats and – though the test vehicles were pre-production – a level of quality you would expect from Lexus. The only possible exception here is the base IS 250: More in terms of materials and features, sitting inside the IS 250 is a different experience than lounging in the more luxurious IS 350. This seems to be done at least partially by design. Lexus officials say they are attempting to offer a new IS within financial reach of the crowd that put them on the map in the first place: 29-year-old men with just enough money to pretend to be within hailing distance of luxury.
Photo 10 -- Exterior Front
Based on the LF-A supercar’s edgy style, the IS is the second Lexus model to don the company’s new direction in design. More of the same from Lexus is hopefully close behind, as the look retains its sporty, edgy appeal yet adds a swooping line and a dramatic beltline. This new Lexus is much more emotive than past generations. Notably, the stance is wider and the wheelbase is longer than the previous generation IS, and the result is a more aggressive style. The new Lexus IS looks like the finished thought that that was the previous IS design– elements such as the grille, tail lights and headlamps seem drawn through to completion, with sharper edges, larger badges and closed shapes.
How much will the IS cost? Pricing will be announced later during the summer. For now, our guess it that it will be very competitive with the BMW 3 Series, from a base sticker price of about $30,000 to a top-trim sticker of around $38,000.
When will the IS be available? Check back in October, at a Lexus dealer near you. Will they build a convertible IS? Don’t bet against it. Though Lexus officials are mum, they are reportedly looking at additional variants. An obvious choice would be convertible.Photo 3 -- Pedals
Test Vehicle: 2006 Lexus IS 250; IS 250 AWD; IS 350
Price Range: $30,000-$38,000 (estimated)
Engine Size and Type: 2.5-liter V6 (IS 250); 3.5-liter V6 (IS 350)
Engine Horsepower: 204 at 6,400 rpm (IS 250); 306 at 6,400 rpm (IS 350)
Engine Torque: 185 lb.-ft. at 4,800 rpm (IS 250); 277 lb.-ft. at 4,800 rpm (IS 350)
Transmission: Six-speed manual (std. IS 250); six-speed automatic (opt. IS 250 and std. IS 250 AWD and IS 350)
Curb Weight: 3,455 lbs. (IS 250); 3,435 lbs. (IS 250 AWD); 3,651 lbs. (IS 350)
EPA Fuel Economy: TBA
Length: 180.1 inches
Width: 70.9 inches
Wheelbase: 107.5 inches
Height: 56.1 inches
Legroom (front/rear): 43.9/30.6 inches
Headroom (front/rear): 39.6/36.9 inches
Max. Seating Capacity: Five
Max. Cargo Volume: 13.0 cubic feet
Competitors: Acura TL, Acura TSX, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac CTS, Chrysler 300, Infiniti G35, Jaguar X-Type, Lincoln LS, Lincoln Zephyr, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Nissan Maxima, Saab 9-3, Subaru Legacy GT, Volkswagen Passat, Volvo S40, Volvo S60
Photo 4 -- Exterior Front
Pricing will be available later this summer, and the car goes on sale in October. You can bet, though, that the new Lexus IS will come in around its erstwhile competitor – the BMW 3 Series, with a base model available for those not quite ready for luxury prime time. All models come with an array of features designed to make your ride safe, smooth and sublime.
Photo 5 -- Exterior Front
In addition to being all-new, the 2006 Lexus IS also offers three trims from which to choose. There’s the base IS 250, the cold climes IS 250 AWD and the top dog IS 350, which is powered by a 3.5-liter, V6 engine – a variation of the 3.0-liter engine that resides in the uptown GS 300. That 3.5-liter V6 manages a nice 306 horsepower at 6,400 rpm, and though the IS 250’s 2.5-liter V6 is also a fine engine – at 204 horsepower at 6,400 rpm – you may well want the extra oomph on the straight-aways. Getting friendly with those engines are two transmission choices: a manual six, available on the Lexus IS 250, and a six-speed automatic with steering wheel paddles, optional on the IS 250 and standard on the IS 250 all-wheel-drive and IS 350.
Photo 6 -- Wheel
Powering the 2006 Lexus IS 250 is a 2.5-liter V6 that generates 204 horsepower at 6,400 rpm, and is mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters. Lexus car guys say that the engine has a new direct-to-cylinder fuel injection system that helps to keep the cylinders cool, creating greater compression and better efficiency. It’s all part of a powertrain that, when combined with the new suspension setup underneath, provides seamless power and plenty of torque. In fact, the powertrain – and dual exhaust – is so efficient at doing its job that engine noise is but a whisper inside the cabin. Same is true for the larger engine in the IS 350 – a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 306 horsepower at 6,400 rpm.
Photo 7 -- Gearshift
As with most luxury cars, features such as power doors and windows are standard on the 2006 Lexus IS. Other standard features on all models include SmartAccess keyless entry and engine start – the button you see on all the Lexus commercials – a six-disc in-dash CD changer, driver and passenger airbags all around, including knee bags for the front passengers. There’s also a 13-speaker audio system, and dual-zone climate control. Other standard features include steering wheel paddle shifters and low-profile 17-inch front and rear tires.
Standard safety equipment includes traction control (TRAC), antilock brakes (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Daytime Running Lights (DRL). There’s also a standard tire pressure monitor system on all IS models. Options seem to be where it’s at when you think IS, and according to Lexus this was done with the intent to have an attainable model – the IS 250 – for the average 29-something crowd who made the IS popular. They’re betting that if they can keep the price within reach, they may be able make these young people fall in love with the new IS – don’t bet against it, though truth be told the new IS has lost some of its Wonderdog charm.
Photo 8 -- Front Seats
Lexus IS buyers get plenty of comfort in the new Lexus IS, no matter which trim they choose, along with typical Lexus simplicity when it comes to the layout of entertainment and environmental controls. Optitron gauges are standard on all IS models, as is the Lexus Smart Access entry with push-button start system. A telescoping steering wheel is also standard, with a power version available as an option. The standard stereo, with 194 watts of power and 13 speakers, is enough sound for most people. Just do yourself a favor: Before going with the included system, make the salesperson sit inside an IS with the Mark Levinson setup – 300 watts and 14 speakers – and turn that sucker up, way up.
Photo 9 -- Rear Seats
Whereas the previous IS was docked points for a generally unfinished and un-Lexus-like interior, the new IS takes the next step toward finishing the thought with touchy-feely surfaces, comfortable seats and – though the test vehicles were pre-production – a level of quality you would expect from Lexus. The only possible exception here is the base IS 250: More in terms of materials and features, sitting inside the IS 250 is a different experience than lounging in the more luxurious IS 350. This seems to be done at least partially by design. Lexus officials say they are attempting to offer a new IS within financial reach of the crowd that put them on the map in the first place: 29-year-old men with just enough money to pretend to be within hailing distance of luxury.
Photo 10 -- Exterior Front
Based on the LF-A supercar’s edgy style, the IS is the second Lexus model to don the company’s new direction in design. More of the same from Lexus is hopefully close behind, as the look retains its sporty, edgy appeal yet adds a swooping line and a dramatic beltline. This new Lexus is much more emotive than past generations. Notably, the stance is wider and the wheelbase is longer than the previous generation IS, and the result is a more aggressive style. The new Lexus IS looks like the finished thought that that was the previous IS design– elements such as the grille, tail lights and headlamps seem drawn through to completion, with sharper edges, larger badges and closed shapes.
Photos courtesy of Lexus