Lexus IS350 F-Sport
What is it?
This is Lexus’ (or Lex-i’s perhaps?) third generation entry level premium saloon – and what that boils down to is that it’s Lexus’ third attempt to put any sort of dent in the German trio’s market share. There’s no doubting that previous IS’s have had little impact on Mercedes, Audi and BMW; but can the all-new Lexus IS350 pull a rabbit out of the hat?
On the outside
They’re off to a good start because this is the best looking IS to ever roll off production lines. It’s purposeful, aggressive and well-proportioned from every angle. There are technically three models within the Lexus IS350 line-up, but in my mind you have to go with the F Sport because you get access to three exclusive colours, bigger wheels and a nicer front bumper. The IS might have gone a different route to the typically German understated sophistication; but the road less travelled is often more inspiring.
On the inside
Once again Lexus has broken the mould and taken a completely different approach to what a premium sedan’s interior ‘should’ look like. And in a word, it’s a success. There are different levels to the dashboard which give off a three dimensional effect that is quite fetching. The combination of leather and aluminium works perfectly, with less desirable plastics well hidden. Quality and finish is of course of the highest level. The F-Sport version has similar reconfigurable displays to the ones in the LFA, and excellent sports seats too. Add to that a plethora of radar eyes and blind-spot systems and satnav, to name but a few of the standard features.
Driving
This is perhaps the area which in previous IS’s has been the most disappointing; and therefore meant the IS fell behind its rivals. However Lexus has thrown down the gauntlet, giving themselves the task of build the most fun-to-drive sport sedan in the world. A big task, especially in the face of the new BMW 3.
Under the bonnet you’ll find a tweaked version of Lexus’ 3.5 litre V6, mated to an eight speed automatic ‘box. It offers up 228kW and a fair number of torques, translating into a 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds. It’s a neat combination, especially in Sport mode where the IS can detect you’re cornering and will hold the gear you selected through the bend.
But it’s the dynamics of the Lexus IS350 that really steal the show. The chassis is stiffer than before, with harder front suspension and a completely new rear end. The steering is sharp and precise, with great feel and feedback to the driver. The combination urges you to attack bends and roundabouts, the raspy V6 singing as you flick from corner to corner. You can even turn the traction control completely off and enjoy the leery rear end. The IS shows a real depth of talent when you calm things down and waft along a motorway, that rigid suspension soaking up bumps and ruts as though you were driving on butter. Dare I say, this is almost as good as the BMW 3?
Verdict
I can’t bring myself to conclude that the IS is better than the BMW it so desperately set out to beat; perhaps on balance it comes out on par, but the 3 still feels the better car to drive. With regard to Audi and Mercedes; they better batten down the hatches and hope their reputations can save them some embarrassment because Lexus mean business with this, the all new Lexus IS350.
Price: R 571,500
Engine: 3456cc petrol
Power: 228 kW
Torque: 375 Nm
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 5.6
Top Speed (km/h): 225
Consumption (l/100km): 9.7 (claimed)
First published in Autodealer KZN