Potent Lexus IS300 waits in the wings
BY GAUTAM SHARMA | 23rd Jun 1999
The bigger-engined version of the IS200 was developed specifically for the US to meet the demands of the typical Lexus buyer in that market.
The IS200 was seen to lack the grunt expected of a prestige car by US buyers.
Launched here in March this year, the IS200 has earned praise for its fine ride and handling, although its uninspiring straight- line performance has counted against it.
The consensus has been that the IS200 could easily cope with more power.
This is exactly the recipe for the IS300, under the bonnet of which resides the same 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine used in the larger GS300.
Generating a healthy 166kW at 6000rpm and 298Nm at 4000rpm, compared to 114kW and 195Nm for the IS200, the bigger powerplant is guaranteed to transform the car.
It would endow it with a power-to-weight ratio superior to any of its rivals from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Lexus Australia is keen to offer the car here, but says it is committed for now to the same product lineup as Europe, where the IS300 will not be sold.
However, a company spokesman hints the car may become available here in due course.
If it is given the green light, it may be priced around $70,000 at today's prices, about $20,000 below the existing GS300.
Meanwhile, Lexus has launched four accessory kits as well as a range of add-ons for the IS200.
The Legana body kit, named after the Targa Tasmania special stage just outside Launceston, consists of an aggressive front bumper with fog lamps, a mesh radiator grille, black chrome headlamps, side and rear skirts and a high-level rear spoiler.
The high rear spoiler and a front airdam extension make up the Touring Sports kit.
A more subtle Executive body kit consists of the front skirt and a low-level rear spoiler.
The Carbon-Fibre kit adds a carbon-fibre sports steering wheel and carbon-fibre look exterior mirror covers.
"The range of accessory kits and individually available accessory items reflects the vehicle's younger target market," Lexus Australia national sales and marketing manager Rory Macdougall says.