Lexus is test drive since 2005 sedan

Consciousness

The new Lexus is 250 debuts in Russia: a strong player appeared on the domestic market of small thoroughbred sedans. Belonging to the new Lexus line, the car has more in common with the current GS than with its immediate ancestor.

It is only necessary to break away from the rough asphalt table of the car training ground; Ploking with a look along the Lexus Is bodies resembling a moment of mercury, look a little higher and further to see Fuji. The ancient mountain is Opovasan with two cloud rings and is impregnable enough to have a desire to go to it. The top is hidden from the eyes of onlookers with a haze: it is impossible to see it without going all the way, starting from the foot ...

We are in Italy, not far from Rome, and the mountain on the horizon is not at all Fuji, speaking strictly. However, allegories are appropriate: acquaintance with the new Lexus is no coincidence in the country where the centuries -old roots of European culture are especially tangible. Behind each of the closest competitors of the new car is also a tradition. Only one who, going in his own way and under his drum, manages, nevertheless, walking in the leg with the rest of the Life Guard, can be a full representative of this society. And the step of the current generation Lexus sounded today more than ever and accurately.

The IS 250 model is already the second embodiment of the designer philosophy of Lexus L-Fancy after the current GS. To see in the appearance of the new machine the external features of the previous generation IS model is not easy. The current car is perceived as heavier. And more solid. However, it is original. It has no grace and lightness, as well as the indisputability of the beauty of the previous car. But a unique mood appeared, creating an image inherent only to Lexus: today and without nameplates with the letter L, the genetic belonging of the machine will not cause doubt.

As you can understand from the digital index, the operating volume of the machine is 2.5 liters. This is a modern V6 with a capacity of 208 hp.; In Russia, we will be able to purchase a car only with such an engine and an automatic six -speed transmission. There is not the slightest desire to grumble about the lack of supply to us modifications with mechanics for two reasons: the machine is good, and the car does not have an extra bustle.

It's quiet here. Excellent sound insulation and aerodynamically licked body did their job: quite a bit of external sounds penetrate the salon. Several innovations such as soundproofing windshield and sound -absorbing solar visors also work for silence. By the way, with the use of sound -absorbing materials, we have already encountered the Lexus GS interior decoration. I liked the general sound atmosphere on board the IS: there is no that uncompromising refinement of sound and the complete eradication of its reflections that is inherent in GS. During our lives, we are all great to the natural reverb of the sound, and on board IS the situation is more natural. As a result, comfortable. It is thanks to the acoustic advantages of the IS salon that all 13 speakers Levinson finally sounded and revealed their abilities: they not only surprise the spectrumanizer, but can also touch the soul of the listener.

Highway on the highway left a dual impression. At one pole is silence, a comfortable chair and an even engine thrust. On the other, a strange feeling of the void of the steering wheel near the neutral. With the established movement along the long arc, the empty sector remains. He only moves along with the new position of the steering wheel. It is not surprising that the machine constantly requires small steering when moving in a straight line or through gentle arcs. At the same time, it is worth going through this zone with a slightly more intense maneuver, the steering wheel is filled with high -quality reactive effort.

The IS set the VDIM stabilization system (Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management). This is a complex of control electronics, combining under its start operations with brakes, engine and steering control. The fact that this is a system of a new generation, one could verify a special slippery coating of the landfill, the clutch with which approximately corresponds to the driving tires in the rolling snow. In such conditions, VDIM allows the machine to slide within a very wide range. Moreover, the stabilization system of the new IS works so smoothly that not everyone can feel its intervention. Today, the Abs Crack and the sharp pulling of the engine have already gone into the past, accompanying the operation of active security electronics yesterday ...

The first time when leaving the slippery site, I thought that the gas pedal simply crushed with a rug: the right leg was already hanging in the air, but the motor continued to hold increased speeds. On the second attempt, everything was repeated by Traction now insures the driver on slippery on the coat, not only from excessive gas supply, but also from blocking the drive wheels with excessive discharge: the electronics holds the throttle open exactly so much to exclude slipping of the drive wheels when braking by the engine.

This is an extremely useful function! And especially for machines with machine guns, since it is impossible to squeeze the clutch in the path situation, and not every driver is capable of catching the necessary gas speeds at the time of stress at high speed.

A fairly comfortable suspension by European standards, however, is quite tight enough not to smear in the maximum turn of the asphalt road, if the driver wants to enjoy Lexus in this way. Excellent single -pipe shock absorbers, two -knitting two -winging and a cunning design from behind, a hard body allows Lexus to deliver a lot of pleasure on a winding path. Nevertheless, the extremes are not in the spirit of this machine: most likely, many will find the rotation in most situations insufficient, gas response to the income with delays, and the seats do not provide side support. This can not be attributed to the disadvantages because of the harmony of the complex of qualities: just the car is sharpened for other conditions and says it confidently.

Comfort, convenience, space and freedom in a driver’s place, excellent music without an annoying background of the engine howls in such conditions will be pleasant trips to the city and long -distance travels at high speed. An interesting function of programming the point of turning on the light rings on the speedometer and tachometer dials is most likely to be useful not as a tachometer Shift Light, but as a reminder of the framework of the speed mode: is 250 quite willingly and easily goes at speeds prohibited everywhere, except for German auto -wings to Distribute to such forgetfulness.

Let us return to the main thing: Lexus cars from the very beginning showed an excellent technical level and the highest qualities of reliability. The new generation of machines received identity so necessary in the segment of prestigious cars. Own handwriting and your gait. Sufficient self -confidence and a well -minded scale of values \u200b\u200baccepted in society to talk with old -timers on equal terms and make your own statements.

Machines with pendants, untouched by European settings will be delivered to Russia, and the differences in trim levels will affect only the restrictions on the use of radio frequencies of adaptive cruise control and the Pre-Crash Safety system, which are officially delivered to us Lexus. As well as the lack of navigation system and constructively associated with the rear view chamber.

Lexus IS 250 prices in Russia vary in the range from $ 41,600 per car in the Comfort configuration to $ 49,700 (Premium).

+ Quality, ergonomics, style, automatic transmission, honest manual automatic transmission, acoustics, vdim.
Lack of display for Russian configuration, lateral support of seats.

Technical characteristics Lexus is 250

Sedan body
The number of places 5
Equipped mass, kg 1560
Full mass, kg 2045
Dimensions (length/width/height), mm 4575/1800/1440
Base, mm 2730
Trunk volume, l 378
Maximum speed, km/h 225
Control consumption of fuel, l/100 km:
- City cycle 12.7
- Zagorod 7
- Mixed 9.1
Engine:
- type of gasoline, V6, 24-valve
- working volume, cm3 2500
- Power, L.S. at MIN-1 208/6400
- Torque, NM at min-1 252/4800
Automatic transmission, 6-speed
Tire size 235/70r17
Wheel suspension:
- The front two -winged
- The back is multi -link
Brakes:
- front/rear disk, ventilated
Price, $ 41,600

Text: Dmitry Sokolov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [01/2006]