This is sexy, dynamic looking car from all angles. It’s a sports sedan for sure with sharp edges and the LFA supercar inspired ‘spindle’ nose.
IS Sport Cabin
The quilted driver’s seat offers greater comfort and better lateral support. The LFA-inspired, 3-spoke, 370 mm diameter steering wheel features a new paddle shift switch shape for easier, more accurate operation, and improved ergonomics to the wheel-mounted switchgear. The combination of extended wheelbase and a thinner front seat design generates an 85 mm increase in knee room for the new, 60:40 split/folding seats. And a 20 mm increase in the gap between the B pillar and the front corner of the seat improves accessibility.
Throughout the interior, high quality materials and finishes convey contemporary, premium look and feel, with a level of craftsmanship and attention to detail for which Lexus is globally renowned. Soft touch finishes abound, including knee pads either side of the centre console for increased driver and front passenger comfort.
Entertainment comes via the high-resolution 7″ full colour display. iPod functionality and interface quality has been enhanced; via USB port connectivity, the iPod menu can now be driven from the vehicle’s steering wheel control switches, and album cover art displayed on the 7″ multimedia screen.
This Lexus IS came fitted with a sound system representing the next generation of realism and clarity in Lexus sound. It features a fully digital, Class-D, 6 or 8 channel amplifier capable of creating virtually distortion-free sound with minimal voltage losses. The natural sound dynamics and rich harmonies generated by the high definition amplification are faithfully reproduced by an enhanced, 6 or 8-speaker layout which features a new, 55 mm wide-range tweeter.
IS Sport Power
This IS was equipped with the same 2.5 litre V6 petrol engine that was used in the previous model. It develops 207hp at 6,400rpm and 250Nm of torque at 4800 rpm, accelerating the IS 250 Sport from 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds and giving a maximum speed of 225km/h.
Carried over from the current IS 250, the chain-driven double overhead camshaft, 24valve, 2,499cc V6 petrol engine is of a particularly compact and lightweight in design. Weight reduction measures include the use of an aluminium die-cast cylinder block and intake manifold, and a resin-made intake chamber. The overall engine assembly is made even lighter and more compact through the installation of the water and oil pumps within the chain cover. The V6 features D-4 direct injection and Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) to both intake and exhaust camshafts, enhancing engine performance.
The engine works with a ‘6 Super ECT’ close-ratio 6-speed automatic transmission features a sequential manual shifting mode. It incorporates numerous technologies including faster shift speeds, earlier torque converter lock-up and downshift throttle blips to support the range of driving modes available through the Drive Mode Select system.
IS Sport Dynamics
The target of segment-leading driving enjoyment has been at the heart of the new IS development programme, and -sacrificing none of the quietness and comfort inherent in any Lexus- every aspect of the new compact sedan’s driving dynamics has been painstakingly engineered to that end.
This bodyshell is lighter, yet more rigid than its predecessor. The front suspension system has been revised, and an all new rear suspension system adopted, combining outstanding grip performance with excellent response to steering inputs. A new steering system offers a lighter, smoother, more accurate steering feel with enhanced response to inputs and greater feedback to the driver.
A new Drive Mode Select system features up to five switchable driving modes- EV (IS 300h only), ECO, NORMAL, SPORT/SPORT S and SPORT S+, to optimise the driver’s preferred combination of economy, comfort, performance and handling characteristics.
Time to look at a used IS 250 Sport which could well be worth its value today in the used car market.
Lexus IS 250 Sport Specifications
Engine: V6, DOHC, 24V, Dual VVT-i
Capacity: 2,499cc
Transmission: 6 A/T, RWD
Max Power: 205hp @ 6,400rpm
Max Torque: 252Nm @ 4,800rpm
Top Speed: 225km/h as tested
Price: RM277,000 in 2013 when new…today in 2018 its RM199,000 onwards
