X marks the spot for Lexus

LEXUS Australia has introduced three new limited-edition extra-value models to coincide with its annual L’Exhibition sale that sees prices slashed by between $5000 and $15,000 across the company’s entire model range.

Wearing ‘X’ badging and offering up to $7500 in extra features for no extra cost are variants of the company’s two most popular models – the IS250 compact sedan and RX compact SUV – in Prestige specification.

Each line of the special X models are limited to production of 300 units.

In September, Lexus introduced its first X-badged model, the GS300 Sports X, which introduced more than $10,000 of extra value in the form of 18-inch alloy wheels, a moonroof, metallic paint, satellite-navigation, and front and rear parking sensors for the driveaway price of $89,900.

Lexus claims the new IS250 X at $59,900 driveaway comes with more than $6000 worth of extras, including sat-nav, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, brushed alloy sports pedals and scuff plates, 18-inch alloys, smart key card entry, revised interior trim with red highlights and a rear lip spoiler.

The RX comes in two drivetrain variants – the V6-engined RX350 X and the hybrid-powered RX450h.



Left: GS300 X.

Both RX models gain 19-inch alloys, heads-up display, leather-accented steering wheel and shift knob, front and rear parking sensors, smart key card entry and a protective luggage mat, representing more than $7000 of extra value on the RX350 X at $82,900 driveaway and the RX450h X at $89,900 driveaway.

L’Exhibition is Lexus’s big annual sales event and runs throughout November.

In addition to the X-branded models, Lexus dealers are offering savings of $5000 across all grades of the IS range – including F and convertibles - $10,000 on all grades of GS300 mid-size sedan, $15,000 on all grades of LS saloon and $7500 across the range of the big LX SUV.

This big sales event should see Lexus more than make up the ground it has lost in the Australian market this year, having sold 37 fewer vehicles to date in 2011 compared with the same period in 2010.

Toyota’s luxury arm should also benefit from the resumption of normal supply out of Japan after months of ramifications from the country’s earthquake and tsunami in March.