Lexus is test drive since 2005 sedan

Honorary debutant

Lexus IS appeared in the range of Toyota luxury unit relatively recently, the Japanese did not allow competitors from Germany, which were sold in the USA and in Europe with great success. It was the competition that gave fans the smallest Lexus, which fully embodies all the qualities of its young but very famous brand. Competitors thought, and buyers voted in their credit cards. But still, the youngest Lexus until a certain moment was in the shadow of large sedans and SUVs of the brand.
 
Younger
We met in Rome when the new Lexus IS advertising campaign was already in Russia and in Russia, and sales began literally the day after our test. The car has not just changed. With the previous modification, only the index is related, and even then without numbers. Now in Europe and we sold cars with a 2.5 -liter engine, which means that there are 250 numbers instead of 200. There are, however, also a diesel engine, the first in the history of the brand, but by decision of marketers, our paths diverged with it .
 
Well, the L-Fancy concept influenced the entire lineup of the company, and got a little sedan. On the one hand, it may seem that it is made in the GS style, but in fact there is very little in common between them. Even less in common has a new car with its predecessor, and this applies not only to appearance. The new IS combines in its design sports and luxurious components. The facade of the machine is involved on triangles and trapezes: triangular headlights and triangular recesses under the fogs are combined with two air intakes. The Japanese approached the design of the grilles of the radiator and the lower air intake extraordinary. The first is made in the style of a whale mustache, the second, as if in a sports car, in the form of honeycombs. On top, a light plaque of pathos, below is an athletics. In the profile, it is especially worth noting the elegant line of the opening of the rear door, just supporting the luxurious component of the image of a small sedan. The rear lights according to the new concept are large and elongated, with a barely noticeable step on the glass, and in the rear bumper two reflectors found their place. The exhaust pipe of the gasoline version is also two, and this is a component of a sports image of the car.
 
The same mixing of styles can be observed inside. The Japanese would not be Japanese if, when creating the interior, they had not brought an element of their unique culture into the project. This applies to the shape of lateral deflectors, and bends of door handles, and even LED reading lamps reflect the Japanese concept and style of thinking. The visor panel of the instruments is again trapezoidal, it covers four optronic dials. The previous combination of devices in the form of an hourly mechanism did not fit into the new style, and standard Lexus circles were replaced by it. In fairness, I must say that new devices are read better, although they do not look so original. The steering wheel is three -spitze, with the ears of the gear, and this is another nod towards the sport, as well as the pedal trimmed with drilled aluminum overlays. But the central console is clearly from another opera. It is a control center not only of climate control and other functions, but also by the head device of the unique Mark Levinson audio system. In addition to the possibility of playing the music files of all known formats, the system offers a DVD player operating in the sound format of Dolby 5.1 and DTS, that is, a real cinema with 14 speakers is located inside a small car, including a unique compact phase-valuation subwoofer. Great? And how! Just do not rush to get your favorite discs, this system will not be delivered to the Russian market through official channels. After all, she also heads navigation, and our generals are not too worried about the needs of motorists, and they also keep the state secret, including detailed maps. But enough about sad
The salon is finished with dense skin, and the seats have a wide range of electrical regulations. Moreover, they are equipped with heating and ventilation. A very solid set for a car of this class. It is convenient to sit in front, but very littered front racks worsen visibility, especially in corners. In addition, if tall comrades are located on the front seats, then it is crowded behind, and most of all knees. Like its main competitors, Lexus IS is designed to express the individuality of the driver, which is part -time also the owner of the car.
City sprint
Directly from the Airport of the capital of Italy, we went on a short trip to the accompaniment of a barely audible engine with a capacity of 208 hp, paired with which a 6-band automaton worked. The ears of the manual mode on the steering wheel are most likely a tribute to fashion, because neither the motor nor the box is particularly combat. Of course, it cannot be said that the car is not driving. It goes, and how, just this pseudo -sports detail does not combine with amazing silence in the cabin in the entire speed range and smooth, but dynamic overclocking. The suspension, on the contrary, is too tough, it happily transfers road information to the salon. Again, a mixture of styles. Turning a little on the Roman bitch, we went straight, where the motor showed itself from the best side. In terms of the number of new technologies, this engine is one of the most advanced in the classroom. Here is the mechanism for changing the phases of gas distribution and the height of the valve lifting, and the two -level intake tract, and many other useful things. The motor has an even character and gently reacts to pressing the gas pedal, and the manual mode of the gearbox is honest, without intervention electronic mind. The car easily reaches maximum speed, while consuming incredibly little gasoline. The force on the steering wheel is far from the sports, however, the car is controlled easily and clearly. To the audacity of BMW, of course, far, but still a very, very decent result.
 
Our path lay on a training ground, where they usually conduct Crash tests of buses, but the organizers prepared us platforms for studying the work of security systems of a new car. The Pre-Safe system operates with the cruise control radar, disguised in the emblem on the radiator grille. We were asked to just knock down a foam column with a metal triangle, because the system reacts to metal objects. At the time of the impact on the column, the belts are automatically delayed, and if the driver slows down, then the electronics increases the brake force as much as possible using the emergency braking system. Moreover, she takes the distribution of effort into her own hands and, if the driver releases the pedal, she delibes the car herself. But, it turned out, this system is not for us, because the radar works at frequencies prohibited in Russia.
 
The VDIM security system is familiar to us from the previous news of the company. It combines all the electronic systems of the car. It itself slows down the necessary wheels in turns, gives commands to steering, in general, is aware of everything that is happening with the car. The difference from the usual stabilization system is that VDIM allows you to control residual thrust, and not just extinguishes the motor. Except that, at the moment when it is connected, only a zummer is heard, and not a chirping of brake mechanisms. Accordingly, there is no vibration on the brake pedal either.
 
With a version equipped with a diesel engine, we also had a chance to talk, and not only during the testing of a security system. Part of the path we drove in a car with a diesel engine and a mechanical 6-speed gearbox. If it were not for a long -term adhesion, the diesel version could be honestly recorded in sports. There are as much traction, no less power. But we will not bore wounds, we still can’t see the diesel engine
The final
It is time for the Germans to begin to seriously worry. In the premium sector of class B, a car appeared that can break their hegemony. The previous modification made only a small raid, but the new one is ready for a full -fledged attack. The Russian equipment, as we have already noted, differs from the European one, nevertheless, even the basic equipment of IS is much richer than that of competitors. Moreover, it is practically not inferior to them, and most importantly, it is offered at a very attractive price. The most expensive Lexus is, the list of equipment of which includes more than a dozen positions, is cheaper than a well -equipped German. Is this not a reason to think not only to manufacturers, but also to customers?
Technical characteristics Lexus is 250
Dimensions, mm 4575x1800x1440
Base, mm 2730
Front/back, mm 1535/1545
Diameter of the turn, m 10.2
Type of engine gasoline V6 24-valve
Working volume, cubic meter. cm 2500
Max. Power, L.S./rpm 208/6400
Max. moment, nm/rpm 252/4800
The transmission is automatic 6-band
Tires 225/45 R17/245/45 R17
Max. Speed, km/h 225
Acceleration time 0-100 km, from 8.1
Fuel consumption (EU), l/100 km 9.8/7.7/13.5
Tank volume, l 65
Maxim Rakitin
Photo by the author
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A source: Avtopanorama magazine