Lexus Is250 2.5 Se-L
Lexus, renowned for their luxury cars have revamped the IS range that is their top selling model in Europe as well as their top selling sports saloon. One would question how any manufacturer can improve on anything as prefect as the IS range.
Well Lexus, being Lexus have added a new 2.5 litre V6 direct injection petrol engine for starters that was at the heart of my test car and certainly sent my heartbeat racing taking just 8.1 seconds to reach 62 mph and having a top speed of licence banning 144 mph.
The second generation IS is also longer and wider than its predecessor with increased track width meaning not only more interior space for the passengers but also far better handling qualities. It is also much quieter in the cabin with class leading Noise Vibration and Harshness reduction including the world’s first sound absorbing sun visors.
The exterior looks have improved taking it away from the old man at the golf club to new man ready to sweep me off my feet. Beautiful sculptured lines cascade across the IS body with the SE-L trim boasting 17 inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable heated and folding colour coded door mirrors and colour coded door handles. The long lush bonnet dips to great the lovely light clusters that have the High Intensity Discharge headlamps with Intelligent Front Lighting System complete with washers. Dropping into the colour coded bumper are the two front fog lights while to the rear the tail lifts up slightly to give a hint of what is under the bonnet.
Inside is where Lexus really excels with all the equipment on board to make driving such an utterly pleasurable experience. The Smart keyless entry system and push button start eliminates any fumbling around while the eight way electric leather and heated front seat adjustment ensures every driver gains the perfect driving position. The leather steering wheel can be electrically adjusted and if this car is to be shared, there are memory settings for the said steering wheel, front seats and door mirrors.
Taking further strain away from the driver is rain sensing wipers, automatic headlights, auto dimming rear view and door mirrors plus electric rear window sunshades proving that the little things in life mean so much. The Lexus IS250 also comes with electronic climate control, cruise control and a fabulous Mark Levinson audio system comprising of 14 speakers and 300 watt to blast out my favourite driving anthems via the MP3 player or six discs CD/DVD player.
The only gadget I could not get my head round was the Lexus Navigation System but then, as you all know, I am not a great fan and am also teaching the children the valuable lesson of reading a standard map. As a result I cloaked up a lot of miles as the children tried to fathom out which way I really should go. However, driving such a luxurious car like this Lexus IS250 this did not bother me one iota.
For not only did I have all the toys on board, I also had all the toys under the bonnet courtesy of this new chain driven DOCH 24-valve 2.5 litre V6 petrol engine mated to the optional six speed automatic gearbox with sequential paddle shift control that is such fun to use and really shows off the cars attributes. The electric power steering guided me in beautifully not just to the shops but also on the open country roads where no bend posed a problem. Of course, I did have the benefit of powerful All-round disc brakes plus ABS, Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Control, Brake Assist System, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Hill Start Assist Control. So really no excuse what so ever too get it all wrong. Even the parking bays were no threat thanks to the parking sensors.
The thing about driving is that sometimes an accident will occur and it is not your fault. So even with all this safety equipment on board, things could still go horribly wrong. Not really so with the new stronger IS250 that benefits from having a highly rigid bodyshell with numerous structural reinforcements to avoid too much damage in a collision. Then there are the airbags featuring the dual chamber front passenger airbag that was a world first on the original IS, along with ten others including new driver and passenger knee airbags and new larger seat mounted front side airbags. These Torso Abdomen Pelvis (TAP) airbags provide better protection being 30% bigger than the previous design. Curtain shield airbags that run the length of the interior are also fitted. The IS is fitted with second generation Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats designed to significantly reduce the risk of whiplash.
Securing the IS 250 is an intrusion sensor alarm, remote central locking with deadlocks, and a transponders key with engine immobiliser thus falls into insurance group 14E.
This model will set you back a cool £29,627 but before you faint, with families in particular having to make major cutbacks, the second family car may have to be binned. In which case every family deserves one decent car and the IS 250 SE-L will fit the bill perfectly.
Jackie Violet - Female First