At near 4.7 metres long, each new Lexus IS model has plenty of space to pack a number of tricks up its sleeves. Are you on the lookout for a medium-size car that has the perfect blend of luxury and sportiness to make every drive special and more than just a little bit of fun? If you haven’t checked out the range of new Lexus IS cars, then you best get in the know about just how good these cars can be. They definitely rival the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series for top spot, and with RWD, they equal BMW for being a driving enthusiast’s car. Oh yes… and they are quiet.

Three new Lexus IS models have arrived in Australia; and each boast a high level of comfort and driving enjoyment. As the starting model in the IS range, the Lexus IS 250 really only differs to the other two IS models in engine capacity and output. Never short of breath, the Lexus IS 250 boasts a 2.5-litre petrol engine, V6 in cylinder formation with 24-valves working the cylinders, DOHC for extra power and efficiency, and an alloy cylinder block to keep the weight down. Certainly, with 153 kW and 252 Nm, the engine performs well and loves to sweep through the engine revs. 0-100 km/h is done in 8.1 seconds, while the car’s top speed is 225 km/h.

Very different in layout and capacity, the Lexus IS 300h boasts a greener image with hybrid power that combines an electric motor and a new 133 kW 2AR-FSE 2.5 litre four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine. The maximum power when electricity and petrol combine is 164 kW. The petrol engine makes 221 Nm of torque from between 4200-and-5400 rpm. Throw in some help from the electric motor and the system has 300 Nm of maximum torque to play with. Although it is slower than the Lexus IS 250 from 0-100 km/h, and does have a top speed of 200 km/h, the IS 300h has plenty of everyday power thanks to the electric motor’s low down push.

Top of the performance ladder is the Lexus IS 350, and this is the model that really can take your breath away. Effortless performance is smooth and invigorating, as the all alloy quad-cam 24 valve 3.5 litre V6 lets the excitement build. Dual Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i) makes for a maximum output 233kW of power and a 0-100 km/h sprint time of a smidgeon over 5 seconds. Now that is pretty quick! Power is applied to the road via a super creamy eight-speed automatic transmission with a sequential paddle shift to make it fun. Even more fun is added when you note that the Lexus IS 350 has a sound amplifying engine resonator and a Drive Mode Select with ECO, NORMAL and SPORT modes.

The IS 250 and IS 350 boast three levels of trim: Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury. The Lexus IS 300h offers Luxury and F Sport variants. Impeccable craftsmanship in any of the models is guaranteed, and I’ve got to say that the Lexus interior design captures my heart strings more than the BMW or Audi equivalent. F Sport does mean incorporating a sports suspension that makes the car handle beautifully for quick driving. It’s every bit as good as a 3-Series handler. Being the sporty variant, the F-Sport models do get some awesome looking exterior kit. From the outside, the already aggressive IS form is enhanced by a unique L-mesh grille and front bumper, with a lot more visible chrome treatment. Sitting on 18-inch wheels with a unique Y-shape spoke design that has been inspired by the LFA supercar, and boasting some racy looking quad exhausts, the F-Sport is my pick on sheer looks alone. That said, you can’t fault the nice Lexus IS lines found in any of the models in the range.

The IS 250 and IS 250 Luxury provide the occupants with a Lexus Premium eight-speaker sound system. A very nice high-end Mark Levinson sound system is part of the package in the new Lexus IS 250 F-Sport and IS 300h. 15-speakers make an incredible concert-like sound. DVD, MP3 and WMA features are standard. There are two USB points and one AUX jack for both audio systems.

Everything to do with occupant comfort and entertainment are there in any of the new Lexus IS cars, and as far as safety goes, ABS, EBD, BA, VSC, TRC, Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), eight airbags and ISOFIX child seat tethers are standard.

Drive the more exotic road, and get yourself into the new Lexus IS range today.

The current Lexus IS models include the:

• IS 250 Luxury
• IS 250 F Sport
• IS 250 Sports Luxury
• IS 300h Luxury
• IS 300h F Sport
• IS 350 Luxury
• IS 350 F Sport
• IS 350 Sports Luxury

For any more information on the all-new Lexus IS 250, IS 300h or IS 350 or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Lexus dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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