Lexus is test drive since 2005 sedan

ISCISTIC 250

Probably the most acute competition between automakers is being conducted today in the segment of compact city luxury sedans. From ancient times, the palm of the championship here is held by Mercedes, BMW and Audi. And since the end of last year, another player throws them a glove - the new Lexus is 250.
And he has every chance to seriously spoil the blood to his eminent rivals
Perhaps the only thing Lexus car manufacturers could regret is a slightly belated official exit of the company to the Russian market. Several years of delay allowed gray dealers to remove all foams. But the officials still remained. The American Japanese are selling well in our country, even despite the biting price: quality is always expensive.
The previous generation of the IS series is found on Russian roads not so often. The fault is not at all the disadvantages of the model itself, but the mysterious love of the Russian soul for everything huge and full -size. So the wheel on our roads in countless hefty LX 470 and for some reason are considered female RX 300.
The main competitors of the Lexus IS 250 are considered the BMW of the 3rd series and Mercedes C-class. Moreover, the Bavarian treshka is the lion's share of the total sales of the concern. So the smallest Lexus gets involved in a very serious struggle - apparently he is morally ready for this. The previous version with the IS 200 index has not taken root in the Russian market, so the new model is designed to correct the situation
The first thing that attracts attention is IS 250. According to the new Lexus design philosophy - L -Fancy - the appearance has changed dramatically. In an effort to achieve the most expressive silhouette, the Japanese minimized the gaps between the details of the body, which, according to the company's designers, should add swiftness to the car. In addition, our test IS 250 in the Sport configuration, even in an inconsistent position, had to actively drive.
Low -sanctuated (in this configuration is provided for a sports suspension) Lexus relys on what we sometimes call roads, gigantic for our dimensions with 18 -inch wheels, and the dimensions of the tires are different: 225/40R18 - front and 255/40R18 - the rear. Two exhaust pipes on both sides of the rear bumper and a predatory bixenon gaze hint that at the wheel of such a car you will feel at least Borzo on the road.
Just like his older brother GS, the baby IS 250 is equipped with a Smart Keyless Entry system, in other words, you do not need a key to open and start the engine. In the owner’s pocket lies an electronic key key that does not even need to be removed. Lexus electronics smells and recognizes the owner already at a distance, and everything that needs to be done is to pull the handle of the driver's door. And then immerse yourself, bending slightly (the opening is narrow), in a convenient alcantar seat, step on the brake pedal and press on a large round button with the inscription Start.
The dashboard with the Optitron, which has already become a proprietary feature, will traditionally drive the arrows in a circle, after which the scales and dials of the speedometer and tachometer will break out with soft neon light. A high central tunnel in the most prominent place is decorated with a fashionable lever of an automatic six -speed gearbox selector. A convex central console inclined forward carries large buttons for controlling a dual-zone climate control and a very good playing audio system with 13 speakers and a six-disc cd chalter. Of course, IS 250 is equipped with a full electric packet.
Manufacturers are very proud of the number of airbags installed in Lexus. At the same time, it is specifically noted that the front passenger pillow is two -chamber, which is currently a global innovation. As well as pillows for protecting the knees in front of them. But the rear passengers were less fortunate - the place on the gallery is clearly not enough. Unless the children are accommodated with comfort. However, if we consider this machine as a vehicle for playboys from among the golden youth, then the long -legged modeling sitting from the back will be clearly all the same
Lexus is 250 is equipped with a new 2.5-liter V6 engine with direct fuel injection (the IS 220D diesel modification is not officially delivered to Russia). This motor develops 208 horsepower at 6400 rpm and is equipped with a double system for changing gas distribution phases, which is complex called Dual VVT-I. The Bavarians have a similar thing called Bi-Vanos. The IS 250 engine has very decent dynamic characteristics, and in his work it is helped by a 6-speed automatic that can work in sequential switching mode. If you translate the lever to position S, then you can switch the gears itself with the lever and the steering wheel petals. Motorsport has long and tightly entering our daily life
On the go, IS 250 is quite cruel. No, of course, it does not shake it, as in a racing car, but it is tangibly shaking in Moscow irregularities. This is a fee for good handling, large wheels and for the word Sport itself. It should be noted that the small Lexus steer well and knows how to keep the way. Plus it is very twisted. On the highway with one strip in each direction, the Lexus is 250 can easily turn into one appointment. In close city conditions, this small nuance sometimes plays an important role. And the front and rear parking sensors will help to park, so the girls will not experience traditional discomfort.
It is worth adding that Lexus is 250 in the basic configuration of Comfort costs $ 41,600. And the disputed option - 47 700 who visited our test. Enough, repeat, biting the price, but the cars of this brand were never cheap
Text: Alexey Gusev

Source: Mkobil magazine