Lexus IS250 2005 Pictures
gallery (4 photos)
specifications
THREE’S A CROWD
Meet the Japanese athlete that is set to take on the 3-series; it’s got muscle and speed and you can bet the race for sales will be an exciting one.
To prove that it’s got what it takes to be a serious contender, Lexus have tinkered around under the bonnet and improved the chassis, they’ve even traded in the safe image of the IS in favour of a younger, fresh-faced model.
Lexus hopes that its new line-up will seduce a trend-setting, foot-loose and fancy free audience. It’s evidently tougher looking although still recognisably linked to its predecessor. We love the chunky wheels and the posy street alloys, then there’s the precise angles swooping down the bonnet to sharpen its style. At the back the lights almost look like raised eyebrows which make it look a bit cheeky, if not playful. Unfortunately the cabin’s style could do with a bit of an imaginative overhaul from house doctor, Ann Maurice. But safety considerations are excellent; it has no less than ten airbags, one of which is a double knee contraption.
There’s also lots of equipment available including Lexus’s radar-controlled Pre-Crash safety system (PCS), Adaptive cruise control (ACC), intelligent adaptive front lighting system (I-AFS) and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management System (VDIM). The latter of which will further enhance the IS250’s performance, traction control and stability.
Yet what we really love the most is when you cut through all the marketing jargon, the IS250 has a heart and its engine really oozes passion. Whether or not it will be enough to lure you away from Munich’s popular 3-series we’ll have to let you decide. But as far as figures go, it’s a strong contender.
The 2.5litre stoichiometric direct injection V6 petrol engine is pretty lively but Lexus has made your job easy by providing a six-speed automatic transmission. However if you’re curious about pushing the limits then you can always have a play with the sequential paddle shift control.
The IS250 has also succumbed to the delights of oil burning. Its new diesel unit will be a 4 cylinder, 2.2litre. The maximum bhp is 175 and its torque tops its class with an output of 400Nm from 2,000 to 2,400rpm.
There’s also a new sporty IS350 in the pipeline but it seems unlikely that it will reach UK showrooms. Whispers claim that the IS350 will churn out a fiery 310bhp and its power source is a potent V6 3.5 litre engine. It will generate a twisting force of around 258lb ft of torque and the top speed is estimated to be 165 mph.
Seems like there’s more versatility to come from the Lexus brand but then we shouldn’t be too surprised as a lot of the most radical and sporty saloons have come from Japan.
Verdict
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Spec
ENGINE: 2.2 litre 4 cylinder diesel unit
POWER: 175bhp
TORQUE (lb/ft): 400Nm from 2,000 - 2,400rpm
TRANSMISSION: Six speed automatic transmission
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