Lexus IS

The Lexus IS is a passenger car model series of the middle class of the Japanese automaker Toyota, which the brand name of Lexus used for its higher-priced automobiles. The Lexus IS was in Japan until the model change in the fall of 2005, however, Toyota Altezza, and is built there since 1998. The various versions of the Lexus IS 200 be with, IS 300, IS 220d IS 250 (C ), IS 350 and IS- called F and have rear - or all-wheel drive ( IS 200 sport cross ).

• 3.1 facelift
• 3.2 Lexus IS- F
• 3.3 Specifications

• 4.1 Specifications

Market position

In Germany, the Lexus IS takes against, among others also rear-drive BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes- Benz C-Class. Despite an extensive standard equipment of the IS could not achieve great success in its market segment here. In the U.S., the IS sold, apparently due to the greater popularity of the Lexus brand, much better. Another reason for the low sales figures in Europe is the small engine range. So there was until 2005 no model with diesel engine. Only the model change in November 2005 brought a newly developed vehicle with three new engines; a 2.5 -liter gasoline engine in the IS 250, a 3.5 -liter gasoline engine in the IS 350 ( only in North America and Japan) and a 2.2 -liter diesel engine in the IS 220d (only in parts of Europe ).

In Japan, with the second generation of the Lexus IS, the brand introduced, the model designation Toyota Altezza fell off and was replaced by the world's current name Lexus IS. Thus accounted for the Altezza version abbreviations used until then AS 200, RS 200 and AS 300

IS ( XE1, 1998-2005)

Lexus IS 300 (1998-2001)

In autumn 1998, the first generation ( XE1 ) of the Lexus IS was presented. In Europe, it was available from spring 1999.

The midsize sedan initially offered only with a notchback should expand the buyers of Lexus younger clientele.

As a complement followed simultaneously with a subtle revision in the fall of 2001, referred to as Cross Sport Hatchback version.

Specifications

Lexus IS 300 Sport Cross (2001-2005 )

IS ( XE2, 2005-2013 )

Lexus IS 250 (2005-2009)

With the series IS, which stands for "Individual Sports", Lexus in the mid- segment against the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 from wants to establish its competitive product on the German market. In the second generation there is now a six-cylinder engine in V-shape and the first time a four-cylinder diesel engine. The 2.2 - liter common rail diesel 130 kW ( 177 hp ) comes from the Toyota Avensis, Corolla Verso and the Auris. Also new is the 2.5 - liter V6 gasoline direct injection engine with 153 kW ( 208 hp). For diesel, there is only a manual six- speed gearbox for the petrol in the European market only an automatic.

Cockpit ( IS 220d )

On the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the new Lexus IS- F was presented in 2006. The already -sporty positioned IS series has a V8 engine with five liters and 423 hp. The 505 Nm of torque is transmitted from the new Lexus automatic transmission with eight shift stages. Since the first quarter of 2008, the new Lexus IS- F is in Germany on the market.

Facelift

In April 2009, the IS was first modified. The front has been redesigned, the enlarged tail lights and changed in shape. In addition, the technique has been revised.

In June 2009, the cabriolet versions IS 250C and IS 350C have been (not for Europe ) is presented. The roof consists of an almost complete aluminum construction, which automatically folds up into three parts within 20 seconds in the trunk. The interior and the engines with the 2.5 -liter V6 engine and the 3.5 -liter V6 correspond to the sedan. When transmission is a six-speed gearbox and in Europe exclusively the 6 -speed automatic will be offered.

As one of the few Lexus models, there is the IS has not a hybrid; in the U.S. and Japan, the Lexus HS is offered to fill this gap, suggesting technical reasons instead.

Rear view

Lexus IS 250C ( 2009-2010 )

In another facelift in November 2010, which reports a modified grille and bumper as well as restyled headlamps and rear lights included, followed by a second diesel version, for which the power was reduced by 20 kW to 110 kW. Fuel consumption falls to 5.1 l/100 km ( 134 g CO2 per km). The new model is aimed primarily at business customers, which are considered to be 150 hp limit of engine output. A similar fleet version is also offered by BMW for the 320i.

Rear view

Lexus IS- F

See: Lexus IS- F

Specifications

* only in North America and Japan

IS ( XE3, since 2013)

Lexus IS 300h (since 2013)

The third generation of the Lexus IS was introduced on June 29, 2013 in Germany, after the vehicle had been introduced in other parts of the world shortly before.

For the first time will be offered in addition to the known from the previous model V6 petrol engines in the mid-size sedan based on a four-cylinder gasoline engine hybrid drive.

Interior

Specifications

* only in North America and Japan