The successor to the uber-successful Altezza (IS 300 to us Yanks) is set to rock the automotive world this autumn. Lexus recently unveiled its all-new IS 250 and IS 350 to stunned crowds at the 2005 Geneva Auto Show. Lexus is claiming that this all-new sports sedan is "taking dead aim at the top of the class". Now, we're not claiming to be able to read the collective of minds at Lexus, but it's a safe bet that the company is referring to the BMW 3 Series. Given the specs of the Altezza's replacement, it looks like BMW had better get its flak jacket on...
Let's start off by talking about the sheet metal, as that's the first thing that everyone sees. Like the new GS, the new IS takes a lot of its styling queues from the LF-series of http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p1.html#. The new IS looks a lot sleeker and has a "classier" look when compared to the current Altezza. We especially like the more aggressive stance that the new IS has; it's super-low (it looks like it has a "no-finger" gap), and the (optional) 18-inch rims look like they were custom made to ensure that there was no unsightly fender gap. We're also loving the fact that the wheels have been pushed way out to the corners of the car, enhancing the new IS's sporting appearance.
Moving on to the sheetmetal... well, actually, let's not move on to the sheetmetal just yet. Let's talk about the lights. Thankfully, the infamous "Altezza" light treatment has been scrapped for something more conventional. Well, if you can get over the fact that they look like some really pissed-off, evil-looking eyes -- then they start to look conventional. We're anticipating that a lot of people will end up hating the new IS's taillight treatment, but we really like it.
The headlights and http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p1.html# have a bit of the good ol' "Altezza" flavor. Well, maybe they do... or maybe we're just thinking that every trapezoidal shape looks the same. Whatever it is we're thinking, the headlights and grille still look totally bitchin', and really go well with the aggressive-looking http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p1.html# with integrated http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p1.html#.
Okay, we talked about the exterior long enough. Besides, as we always say, we've got pictures of the car, so we shouldn't dwell too much on talking about how pretty the car is. So with that in mind, let's talk about the interior.
As the new IS is "taking dead aim at the top of the class", you can bet that its cockpit has a host of high-end luxury features, too. As with every Lexus vehicle, the cabin of the new IS has a very simple and clean design. Soft leather and wood trim combine with the standard automotive plastics to make an inviting driving environment. A Smart Access keyless-entry with push-button start will be standard, as will a tilt/telescoping http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p1.html#. Those with a little extra cash to burn can opt for a DVD/Nav system with an integrated rear-view camera.
Luxury and style are nice, but performance is what really gets our hearts racing. Well, our love for over-used clichés does a good job of getting the ol' ticker ticking, too. At any rate, the new IS breaks the mold by offering a total of four flavors of IS.
The "base" model would be the two-wheel drive IS 250. This IS comes powered by a 2.5-liter V6 rated at "more than" 200 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque. http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p2.html# claiming that this car will hit 60 mph in the high 7-second range yet will receive a ULEV-II emissions rating. A 6-speed http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p2.html# will come standard on this model.
Moving slightly up the model range, the IS 250 will also be offered as an http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p2.html# version. The power numbers will remain the same, only expect the 0-to-60 time to drop a bit. Oh yeah, the standard transmission for the all-wheel drive IS 250 is a six-speed sequential shift auto.
But wait! There's more! Lexus will also be offering an IS 350, which is more-or-less the same car, but powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with "300-plus" horses under the hood. 0-to-60 is expected to be in the mid-to-high 5 second range - amazing when one considers the fact that the sequential auto tranny comes standard on the IS 350. The IS 350 is also available in two or http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p2.html# versions.
To keep IS drivers from wrapping themselves around hapless trees, a http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p2.html# Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system has been added to the IS. Lexus is claiming that this system won't "neuter" the car the second a driver tries to have fun in the car. However, should the driver overestimate his or her abilities, the VDIM system will discretely kick in and apply the brakes or throttle... or even control the steering. To be honest, we see this new system killing the fun of driving a car; it's controlling the damn steering! But then, we haven't driven the new IS yet, so we'll reserve our final judgment for when we actually drive the car.
Luckily, it doesn't look like it will be that long before we can get behind the wheel of one of these BMW-killers. The new IS is slated to hit American showrooms this fall. Prices haven't been officially announced just yet, but everyone is expecting it to start at the low $30K range.
Taken from http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p1.html
Wahahahahahahha .... so will the current altezza prices drop ???
Let's start off by talking about the sheet metal, as that's the first thing that everyone sees. Like the new GS, the new IS takes a lot of its styling queues from the LF-series of http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p1.html#. The new IS looks a lot sleeker and has a "classier" look when compared to the current Altezza. We especially like the more aggressive stance that the new IS has; it's super-low (it looks like it has a "no-finger" gap), and the (optional) 18-inch rims look like they were custom made to ensure that there was no unsightly fender gap. We're also loving the fact that the wheels have been pushed way out to the corners of the car, enhancing the new IS's sporting appearance.
Moving on to the sheetmetal... well, actually, let's not move on to the sheetmetal just yet. Let's talk about the lights. Thankfully, the infamous "Altezza" light treatment has been scrapped for something more conventional. Well, if you can get over the fact that they look like some really pissed-off, evil-looking eyes -- then they start to look conventional. We're anticipating that a lot of people will end up hating the new IS's taillight treatment, but we really like it.
The headlights and http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p1.html# have a bit of the good ol' "Altezza" flavor. Well, maybe they do... or maybe we're just thinking that every trapezoidal shape looks the same. Whatever it is we're thinking, the headlights and grille still look totally bitchin', and really go well with the aggressive-looking http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p1.html# with integrated http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p1.html#.
Okay, we talked about the exterior long enough. Besides, as we always say, we've got pictures of the car, so we shouldn't dwell too much on talking about how pretty the car is. So with that in mind, let's talk about the interior.
As the new IS is "taking dead aim at the top of the class", you can bet that its cockpit has a host of high-end luxury features, too. As with every Lexus vehicle, the cabin of the new IS has a very simple and clean design. Soft leather and wood trim combine with the standard automotive plastics to make an inviting driving environment. A Smart Access keyless-entry with push-button start will be standard, as will a tilt/telescoping http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p1.html#. Those with a little extra cash to burn can opt for a DVD/Nav system with an integrated rear-view camera.
Luxury and style are nice, but performance is what really gets our hearts racing. Well, our love for over-used clichés does a good job of getting the ol' ticker ticking, too. At any rate, the new IS breaks the mold by offering a total of four flavors of IS.
The "base" model would be the two-wheel drive IS 250. This IS comes powered by a 2.5-liter V6 rated at "more than" 200 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque. http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p2.html# claiming that this car will hit 60 mph in the high 7-second range yet will receive a ULEV-II emissions rating. A 6-speed http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p2.html# will come standard on this model.
Moving slightly up the model range, the IS 250 will also be offered as an http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p2.html# version. The power numbers will remain the same, only expect the 0-to-60 time to drop a bit. Oh yeah, the standard transmission for the all-wheel drive IS 250 is a six-speed sequential shift auto.
But wait! There's more! Lexus will also be offering an IS 350, which is more-or-less the same car, but powered by a 3.5-liter V6 with "300-plus" horses under the hood. 0-to-60 is expected to be in the mid-to-high 5 second range - amazing when one considers the fact that the sequential auto tranny comes standard on the IS 350. The IS 350 is also available in two or http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p2.html# versions.
To keep IS drivers from wrapping themselves around hapless trees, a http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p2.html# Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system has been added to the IS. Lexus is claiming that this system won't "neuter" the car the second a driver tries to have fun in the car. However, should the driver overestimate his or her abilities, the VDIM system will discretely kick in and apply the brakes or throttle... or even control the steering. To be honest, we see this new system killing the fun of driving a car; it's controlling the damn steering! But then, we haven't driven the new IS yet, so we'll reserve our final judgment for when we actually drive the car.
Luckily, it doesn't look like it will be that long before we can get behind the wheel of one of these BMW-killers. The new IS is slated to hit American showrooms this fall. Prices haven't been officially announced just yet, but everyone is expecting it to start at the low $30K range.
Taken from http://cars.ign.com/articles/609/609850p1.html
Wahahahahahahha .... so will the current altezza prices drop ???
