Test drive Lexus IS 1998 - 2005 sedan

A worthy opponent

A rare case - a car under the Lexus brand of the Toyota luxury department, which works primarily for the American market, appeared in the Old World at least a year earlier than in the new. This is the Lexus IS200 sedan, which visitors to the Moscow car dealership could see in August this year. Since spring, the car has been sold in full swing in Europe - with an eye to the class of sports compact sedans, where the BMW and Mercedes C -class are traditionally rule. There are other rivals - Audi A4, for example, or Alfa Romeo 156 ...
 
Lexus IS200 - a lower luxury car car (by the way, in Japan he was awarded the title of 1998) in his historical homeland went on sale last year - called Toyota Altezza. The next logical step - the appearance of a car in the American market under the Lexus brand - is delayed at least until the mid -2000, apparently due to the problem with the choice of engine suitable for the United States. While the essence is the matter, the car was moved to Europe. Recently she got to Russia.
 
So, Lexus IS200. A sports sedan with a characteristic appearance, but without any stylistic excesses. A cabin visually shifted back, an elongated hood, under which you can place an engine of any length, slanting headlights, highlighted by sharp faces of air intakes in the bumper, cast wheels with tires of 205/55 R16, rear lights with round luminous elements - this can be found more likely on which -something compartment than on the sedan.
 
Under the elongated hood, there really is a in-line two-liter 24-valve atmospheric six, developing 155 hp. Power (6200 vol./min.) And 195 Nm of torque (4400 rpm).
 
The engine is aggregated with a mechanical 6-speed gearbox, from which the moment is transmitted to the rear wheels. The front suspension is made in the spirit of the latest trends - on the transverse levers with the raised support of the upper ball hinge, the back in design is similar to the front, but did without any rise.
 
A torpedo of a super -functional shape with a motorcycle shield, which covers the main highlight of the interior - a combination of devices made in the style of watch chronometer. It seemed that such a solution has long been hanging in the air, but Lexus designers were the first to decide to change the established stereotypes. It turned out beautifully, but the auxiliary dials are small and read with difficulty.
 
In the middle of the torpedo there is a growth with controls of an automatic climate control and a universal musical center with a CD changer. The ventilation nozzles that supply air to the side glasses look somewhat alien - their ovals elongated vertically do not combine with other elements of the design of the torpedo.
 
The steering wheel with leather upholstery is magnificent. It is made in sports traditions with a characteristic three -spoke hub, in which it was still possible to place a compact airbag. The brilliant metal ball of the tip of the gear lever is asks for the hand ...
 
The adjustment of the driver's seat did not cause problems. As on most sports and near -sports cars, the seats are moved using mechanics. She moves the chair back and forth, raises the pillow, tilts the back and regulates the lumbar support, so that you can choose a suitable position even for a very large body. You can drive back so far that you will inevitably have to return. The steering column with the adjustment of the angle of inclination will also help to comfortably get a job.
 
On the armrest of the driver's door is a whole battery of keys that control glasses, door locks and mirrors, which can be remotely folded, for example, in a parking lot or when entering a narrow garage.
 
The driver's seat is comfortable, but you need to get used to the variegation and villi of the upholstery. The corporate rubber rug underfoot was completely superfluous, which constantly touched and strove to stand with a stake between the feet and pedals. It ended in the fact that the mat had to be sent to the trunk.
 
The back was not as cramped as at first expected. My head did not rest against the ceiling, but my legs still had to be squeezed, despite the fact that the front seat was not in the end.
 
To launch the engine, the combination of devices responded with the radiance of numerous control lamps and indicators. After a couple of seconds, everything calmed down. The motor quietly purrs the song of idle. It's time to leave the parking lot. The steering wheel with an amplifier easily cranks the front wheels in place, the first turned on very clearly and easily, the ball of the lever tip lies well in the hand, although it could be made a little more in diameter. The clutch is light and very informative, in combination with sensitive gas allows you to conduct the finest nuance when moving at low speed in traffic jams ...
 
We got out on the highway - we need to wake up the engine. He wakes up with joy and demonstrates the unusual ease of speed set, as if neutral is included in the box. But no - the machine responds with excellent acceleration to press the gas pedal. The engine changed his tone, there was no trace of idle, now it is a real noble sound of a sports motor. The programs are turned on very quickly and clearly, only the third row (fifth and sixth) is at some distance, and you have to slightly pull the hand.
 
The car holds the road perfectly and it follows the steering wheel turns. The feeling comes quickly that this car can do everything, a feeling of complete freedom arises, and when the electronic limiter suddenly cuts turns, it becomes annoying - the engine sings as if it would easily spin on seven thousand. The suspension is tough, as it should be for a sports car, but in moderation, gas shock absorbers are well extinguished by irregularities.
 
After active fires along the road, the leg involuntarily reaches for the brake pedal. The brakes are magnificent, it never came to the inclusion of ABS ...
 
Let's go more calmly to try the car in ordinary modes. At first, we did not notice some thoughtfulness of the car with smooth acceleration from low revolutions, but now it has significantly caught my eye. The designers chose for the main transfer the ratio of 3.9: 1, which seems to be ensured by a good start and acceleration. It would be better to put the motor more powerful, and so - if you want to move actively - you have to twist it at least 3000 revolutions.
 
Each driver has rolled places that he studied well and where he can compare the behavior of different cars. Here is one of mine. Despite the traction control system turned on, a high-speed turn of the gas caused a breakdown of the rear wheels outside, but it happened somehow sluggishly, as if the car resisted for a very long time and reluctantly agreed to wag the tail. But it turned out to be much easier to return it to its place - the gas reset, the correction of the steering wheel with which I was a little mistaken - and the car shifted the other way, but the sensations that these vibrations could take on an irreversible character for a second. With the electronic assistant disconnected, everything happens noticeably more fun. The car earlier and with greater hunting goes into skids, but is easily held by the usual techniques for rear -wheel drive cars ...
 
Let's summarize. Toyota has tried ten years to create a sports sedan that could adequately perform both in the USA and in Europe. And now - luck. Lexus IS200 is a high -speed driving car with an excellent set of running qualities in which there are features of BMW and Mercedes, which makes it a serious rival of German cars. And other European manufacturers have something to think about. We wish the car good luck on our roads and drivers who can appreciate it.
 
Sergey Ivanov
 
 
 

Source: Magazine Motor