This is a Car That Can Compete

At the beginning of the year,Detroit Motor Showits form was revealed to the public.Announcementand the report from the "prototype test drive" held on the West Coast of the United States"Prototype Test Drive" Reporthas also been published on our site. The new Lexus IS, the youngest in the Lexus family, is now available to drive in Japan.

However, the model we were able to drive this time was also a pre-release prototype, although it was not camouflaged. Even so, we were told at the start of the test event that, "This has already been assembled on the production line, and the level of finish is equivalent to the vehicles that will be sold to the public."



Due to these circumstances, the test drive was limited to a closed Hakone toll road, and my first impression of the new IS was surprisingly "shocking."

Simply put, the quality of its ride was at a level far exceeding expectations. "With this, it can compete on equal footing with the " C-Class" and BMW's " 3 Series" giants," I felt that it could truly contend with them.

First, the IS 350 F SPORT

Within the allotted time, I chose the "IS 350 F SPORT," which I felt I absolutely had to drive, as it is the image leader of the entire IS line, which proclaims itself a "sports sedan."

The 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing a maximum output of 318 ps, is carried over from the previous model, but the paired 8-speed automatic transmission is a first for the IS. This transmission is advertised as "downshifting to the optimal gear in response to changes in braking G-force at corner entry, and suppressing unnecessary upshifts during cornering."



However, what impressed me more personally was the refined quality of its ride.

The supple ride, which seems to be achieved by a combination of a robust body and well-articulated suspension, is in no way inferior to its competitors, the aforementioned C-Class and 3 Series, which are considered the "twin titans" in this class.

The suspension smoothly absorbs small inputs and never breaks down even under large impacts, consistently maintaining a high level of flatness and demonstrating excellent "body control capability."



When the "Sport+" mode is selected using the "Drive Mode Select" dial on the center console, the damper's damping force increases and body movement is suppressed. However, it was a pleasant surprise that this did not significantly affect comfort. In other words, even in this mode, the evaluation of "sufficiently excellent ride comfort" still applies.

Driver and Car as One

Approaching a corner, I was once again impressed by the unprecedented "unity between driver and car" for a four-door sedan.


When making large steering inputs at very low speeds with the fully electric power steering, a slight sense of friction, reminiscent of the "cogging torque" characteristic of this type of system, can be felt.

However, apart from that, the feel is very natural, and in terms of blocking out "noise" such as kickback from rough roads or wandering, it has more potential than a conventional hydraulic system.

I didn't notice any particular characteristics with the brakes. However, this simply means that they are "brakes you can step on naturally without thinking."

F SPORT Seen from the Version L

After driving the "IS 350 F SPORT," I switched to the "350 Version L." Since the engine and transmission are the same, the impression of its performance is similar.

While the F SPORT features suspension specifically tuned for a sportier drive, I expected the Version L to offer even greater comfort.—However, this prior expectation turned out to be incorrect.

In fact, it was the F SPORT that offered a more supple ride.

The biggest factor contributing to this difference in impression is likely the "AVS" (Adaptive Variable Suspension) standard on the F SPORT. It is believed that the function of this system, which instantly changes damping force according to conditions, is what allowed the "sportiest grade to achieve a smoother ride than the standard specification."

That said, there is no doubt that the suspension in the standard specification adopted by the Version L also provides a ride comfort that is above the standard compared to its rivals.

Compared to the F SPORT, the "driver and car unity" is slightly less pronounced. Nevertheless, the handling is indeed "quite high-level."

The Hybrid 300h, Aimed at Europe

Meanwhile, the hybrid model, the "IS 300h," boasts environmental performance that surpasses that of rival European manufacturers equipped with the latest clean diesel engines, achieving a CO2 emission of just 99g/km, which is below the "100g/km mark."



It is true that its performance, in terms of punch, is significantly inferior to the "350." This model, which has deliberately kept the number of reduction gear stages in the drivetrain to one, and therefore has a "maximum speed of approximately 200 km/h," is the only model in the new IS series planned for release in the European market.

It would not be entirely incorrect to say that this hybrid model has "sacrificed some acceleration performance" as a result of its focus on achieving "double-digit CO2 emissions" and low costs.

The Evolution of the Hybrid

However, even so, the system output of 220 ps is achieved bythe new Crownthe hybrid system inherited from the new "Crown." While some may feel a lack of specs due to the combination with a 4-cylinder engine instead of a 6-cylinder, the noise characteristic of a 4-cylinder engine is barely noticeable as long as the engine speed does not exceed 3000 rpm.

The smooth engine start-up and shut-down, which occur automatically depending on driving conditions, is a well-established feature of Toyota's hybrid system. And for everyday use, it feels like you can get sufficient acceleration within the 3,000 rpm range for about 90% of the time.

In other words, the 300h is fundamentally very quiet.


A clean ride is another of this model's driving merits.

The current " GS450h" released in 2012 has also seen significant improvements in this regard. However, in previous Lexus and Toyota hybrid models, a lingering sense of dampness, as if vibrations were still present, could not be entirely eliminated compared to conventional engine models within the same series.

In the IS 300h, this has been further improved over the GS 450h, resulting in a drier ride with vibrations comparable to gasoline-powered cars. This is what is meant by "clean."



Indeed, its handling is very straightforward and natural, reminiscent of a well-executed FR car. In this regard as well, the hybrid model of the new IS can be said to no longer feel like a "special model."

The Raw Gem Shines

Thus, regardless of the specification driven, the driving experience left a more positive impression than expected, leading me to begin this report by listing them.

However, the appeal of the new IS also lies in its exterior, which further refines the "globally acclaimed" styling of the previous model to enhance its "IS-ness," as well as in the significantly improved rear seat and trunk space design.



On the other hand, it is regrettable that some aspects of this model, which should be pioneering for a premium brand, show "old signs," such as the adoption of a foot-operated parking brake, which seems like a step backward from the electric type used in the GS, and the omission of the idling stop mechanism for non-hybrid engines.

In any case, its brilliance as a raw gem is undoubtedly among the highest in the history of Japanese cars. This is the birth of a new model that makes us eagerly await its release.

Lexus IS 350 F SPORT
Body Dimensions | Length 4,665 x Width 1,810 x Height 1,430 mm
Wheelbase | 2,800 mm
Trunk Capacity | 480 Liters
Engine | 3,456 cc V6 DOHC
Maximum Output | 234kW (318ps) / 6,400 rpm
Maximum Torque | 380Nm (38.7kgm) / 4,800 rpm
Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic (8-Speed SPDS)
Drivetrain | FR
Tires Front/Rear | 225/40R18 / 255/35R18

Lexus IS 300h "version L"
Body Dimensions | Length 4,665 x Width 1,810 x Height 1,430 mm
Wheelbase | 2,800 mm
Trunk Capacity | 450 Liters
Engine | 2,493 cc Inline 4-cylinder DOHC (Atkinson cycle)
Engine Maximum Output | 131kW (178ps) / 6,000 rpm
Engine Maximum Torque | 221Nm (22.5kgm) / 4,200-4,800 rpm
Motor Maximum Output | 105kW (143ps)
Motor Maximum Torque | 300Nm (30.6kgm)
System Maximum Output | 162kW (220ps)
Transmission | Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission
Drivetrain | FR
Tires Front/Rear | 225/40R18 / 255/35R18