| Toyota seems to have had the right idea from
the start. Instead of buying a luxury brand like so many others did, why
not invent one. Lexus has been a growing success in its main market, the
US, where for the last seven years of so it has been the best selling
luxury brand and in Europe it's on a steady flow. It will be interesting
though to see how it will do once it's introduced back to its home country
Japan.
The LS430 is Lexus’ flagship saloon |
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The RX300 created a new breed of vehicle when it made its debut in the US in 1999. It is the original luxury SUV and is also the world’s most successful, with sales of more than half a million |
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The IS200/IS200 SportCross andIS300/IS300 SportCross
The IS series was the first Lexus model range to be designed specifically
for the European market. It is a compact, four-door executive sports saloon
endowed with a superb handling thanks to its classic front-engine, rear-wheel
drive configuration and perfect front-to-rear weight distribution.
Both saloons feature powerful and flexible straight six-cylinder petrol
engines which use intelligent, variable valve timing (VVT-i) for strong
performance and fuel efficiency at all engine speeds. The 1,988cc engine
in the IS200 develops 153 bhp at 6,200 rpm and maximum torque of 195 Nm at
4,600 rpm. Significantly, the engine is smooth and sweet sounding right
across the rev range, adding to the high degree of driving pleasure. Performance
is even stronger in the IS300, its larger capacity engine producing 211 bhp
and 288 Nm of torque, which give the car nought to 62 mph acceleration in
8.2 seconds. Strong pulling power is guaranteed with more than 250 Nm of
torque available from just 2,000 rpm.
A six-speed manual gearbox is standard on IS200, while the IS300 is equipped
with a five-speed automatic transmission with an E-shift function that
allows the driver to make fast and efficient gear changes by means of
buttons mounted on the steering wheel.
The IS range also offers SportCross versions of both the 200 and 300 models.
This five-door "crossover" design offers extra convenience with
a rear tailgate and load area that can be easily extended by folding down
the rear seats. The increased versatility is not at the expense of performance.
The models use the same engines as their saloon counterparts and achieve
near identical performance in terms of acceleration and fuel consumption,
thanks to the SportCross’s aerodynamic design and clever use of
weight-saving measures, such as the lightweight aluminium tailgate.
GS430 and GS300
The original GS300 was Lexus’s second model to be launched in the
UK after the ground-breaking LS400. Now in its second generation, the
GS range offers a strong blend of luxury and performance. Power under
the bonnet is matched by high quality features, such as a sound system
by top international audio designer Mark Levinson. The dual zone climate
control features a pollution sensor with a deodorising function that ensures
traffic fumes are prevented from entering the cabin.
The GS430 is equipped with the same 4.3-litre 32-valve V8 engine used
in the flagship LS430. This potent power unit achieves a top speed, where
permitted, of 155mph and nought to 62mph in 6.3 seconds. It is among the
fastest cars in its class and its smoothness and refinement are unmatched.
Its sister model, the GS300, uses a straight-six engine developing 216 bhp.
Equipped with variable valve timing and electronic throttle control, it
is capable of moving the car from rest to 62 mph in 8.2 seconds and reaching
a top speed of 143 mph. Both GS models are equipped with five-speed automatic
transmission, the GS300 additionally benefiting from Lexus’s E-shift
system that allows the driver to effect gear shifts by means of control
buttons on the steering wheel.
In July 2003 the range was developed further with the introduction of
Sport version of both GS models, adding to the car’s high level
of driver appeal. The cars’ excellent handling characteristics are
further sharpened thanks to lowered, sports-tuned suspension and the fitting
of larger, 18-inch alloy wheels shod with lower profile tyres. The Sport
models also feature discreet body styling elements, including a rear spoiler
and deep front air dam.
The LS430
The LS430 is Lexus’s flagship saloon, a car of unrivalled quality
and refinement in its class. Measured against its competitor models from
European manufacturers, it offers an unmatched luxury specification at
a fiercely competitive price, proving that the finest quality does not
come at a prohibitive price.
When the original LS400 launched the Lexus brand in 1989, it achieved
hitherto unknown levels of smoothness and quiet operation. Subsequently
that exceptional refinement has been taken to even higher levels thanks
to detail adjustments to the car’s design, construction, suspension
and powertrain. It is perhaps no surprise to learn that the car’s
aerodynamic shape was refined in a wind tunnel that was previously used
in the design of Japan’s iconic Bullet Train.
At the heart of the LS430 is Lexus’s supreme 4.3-litre V8 engine,
capable of accelerating the vehicle from nought to 62mph in 6.7 seconds.
Even at high speed, the cabin remains quiet, the noise of the engine and
the six-speed electronic transmission barely perceptible.
Both driver and passengers enjoy the lap of luxury inside the LS430. Both
front and rear seats are electrically adjustable. Those in the front are
air conditioned, while those in the rear offer a vibro-massage function.
Unlike many of its competitors, the Lexus comes with an all-embracing
specification, so owners do not have to pay thousands of pounds extra
for additional equipment.
Other key features include an adaptive front lighting system, like that
introduced on the new RX300 (see above); a complement of 10 airbags, including
driver and passenger knee airbags; a DVD-based Lexus Navigator satellite
navigation system with touch-screen operation; an integrated cool box
between the rear seats; Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free communications
and an advanced voice recognition system for wide range of functions,
including climate control, navigation and audio controls.
The RX300
The RX300 created a new breed of vehicle when it made its debut in North
America in 1999. It is the original luxury SUV and is also the world’s
most successful, with sales of more than half a million.
The RX300’s combination of robust 4x4 construction and street presence
with impeccable Lexus quality and refinement inspired a series of imitators
from other prestige marques. Some of these were only just launching their
first generation models in response to Lexus’s lead when the all-new
RX300 was launched in 2003, raising the industry benchmark even higher.
In redefining the RX300 for the next generation of buyers, the Lexus development
team concentrated on creating a vehicle that could deliver excellent dynamic
performance – especially in handling and ride comfort. The car’s
sleek and powerful design makes it stand out from the crowd, while the
interior achieves new high levels of quality and finish.
The superior specification of the RX300 – available in the UK in
three trim levels – includes nine airbags as standard (including
a front knee airbag), a rear parking monitor that relays pictures from
a tailgate mounted camera to a dashboard display screen for safe and simple
reverse parking manoeuvres; and a power tailgate that opens and closes
automatically. The technical advances also extend to the world’s
first air conditioning system, which responds in the same way as the human
nervous system to ensure the correct level of heating or cooling according
to the season, and adaptive headlights, that rotate in line with the car’s
steering to provide greatly improved illumination through bends and at
junctions.
In the UK, the RX300 is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, coupled
to a five-speed electronically controlled gearbox. Safe and secure handling
is aided by a full suite of active features, including ABS, Vehicle Stability
Control, Traction Control and Brake Assist.
The SC430
The SC430 is the jewel of Lexus, a superbly appointed four-seat coupe
with an automatically retracting hard top that transforms the car into
a stylish cabriolet at the touch of a button.
Its beautiful design as created at Lexus’s design studio in the
South of France and was influenced by the classic style of luxury yachts.
Throughout, the car presents the quality and attention to detail that
sets Lexus apart from all other manufacturers.
A perfect example is the operation of the nine-speaker Mark Levinson hi-fi
that automatically adjusts to deliver the finest sound reproduction when
the roof is lowered or raised.
At the same time, the SC430 provides exhilarating performance. The renowned
282bhp V8 engine achieves nought to 62mph in 6.4 seconds and top speed
is electronically limited to 155mph.
The car was designed from the outset as the perfect combination of coupe
and cabriolet. With the roof in place insulation from noise and vibration
is to the highest standard, while with the roof down and stowed out of
sight in its rear storage compartment, a wind deflector ensures minimal
interference from the airflow, even at high speed.
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