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April 27, 2021
A Car That Rivals European Premium Sedans – Test Drive of the Lexus IS350 F SPORT | LEXUS
LEXUS IS350 F Sport | Lexus IS350 F SPORT
Test Drive of the Lexus IS350 F SPORT
The Lexus IS, which received a minor model change in November 2020, is said to have been refined in both driving performance and styling to an extent comparable to a full model change. We test-drove the model, which was developed through repeated driving tests centered around the newly established Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama in the Shimoyama area of Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture.
Text by OGAWA Fumio | Photographs by KAWANO Atsuki
A Sense of Unity with the Driver, Like a Sports Car
The driving performance of Lexus' premium sedan, the IS, has significantly improved. The IS series, released on November 5, 2020, has been so thoroughly refined that it can be considered a full model change, resulting in a car that rivals European premium sedans as a driver's car.
Aren't sedans a bit old-fashioned? Some might think so, viewing car design as a form of fashion. Indeed, the rise in SUV sales is partly due to their youthful image. For example, the Suzuki Jimny, even if it's a kei car, is perceived as more agile than a Toyota Crown.
However, it would be a shame to dismiss sedans. The IS makes you feel that way. In fact, Lexus developers say, "We want people to turn their attention back to sedans. That's why we're keeping the rear-wheel-drive sedan alive" (Naoki Kobayashi, Chief Engineer at Lexus International, who led the development of the IS series).
Before you dismiss the IS as outdated, driving it will change your perception. With a chassis that offers high rigidity and direct, satisfying handling, the "F SPORT" specification with its taut suspension provides a sense of unity with the driver, much like a sports car.
As Assistant Chief Engineer Shin Maezawa puts it, "It's like a plain udon noodle soup where the noodles and broth are delicious on their own, without needing toppings." While the analogy is humorous, the reality is that the new platform and thoroughly revised suspension, aided by electronic controls, achieve excellent maneuverability.