Lexus Announces Pricing Of The Much-Awaited IS300 And Enhanced Specification For IS200
Lexus (GB) is pleased to announce highly competitive pricing on the much-awaited IS300 saloon and SportCross. On sale from October, these two new models offer a pricing structure to ensure that the range maintains its highly regarded position as the best value mid-premium vehicle available in the UK today. The highly successful IS200, on sale since 1999, also features an improved specification from September.
Specification of the new IS range
The IS200 range will feature enhanced specification including curtain shield airbags, Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), ISOFIX child seat preparation and an improved quality dashboard material. External changes include revised front grille and rear light clusters, new style 16″ wheels for the entry level IS200 (previous ‘S’ designation has now been deleted) and a new rear spoiler for the IS200 Sport Model.
The optional Lexus Navigator system is now DVD based for even greater accuracy and has the ability to store 13 times the amount of information as a conventional CD driven system.
Specification of the new IS300 will be even higher including full leather upholstery, 5-speed automatic gearbox, rear privacy glass, lowered rear suspension, aluminium drilled pedals, rear spoiler, yellow front fog lamps, halogen High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and electrochromic interior and exterior rear view mirrors.
The IS300 SportCross with its radical new ‘crossover’ styling will have the same specification with the addition of estate bodystyle, nine speaker audio system, split folding rear seats, load area cover and rear wiper.
IS200 Pricing – On the Road
- IS200 – £18,615
- IS200 (Auto) – £19,845
- IS200 SE – £20,230
- IS200 SE (Auto) – £21,460
- IS200 Sport – £21,205
IS300 Pricing – On the Road
- IS300 – £26,700
- IS300 SportCross – £28,450
The DVD Lexus Navigator system is available as an option on both IS200 SE and Sport models and the new IS300 and SportCross models for £2,340.
The IS300 saloon and IS300 SportCross will be powered by a three-litre six cylinder in line engine with a maximum power output of 211bhp and be fitted with five-speed automatic transmission with E-shift steering wheel controls, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Torsen limited slip differential.
The IS300 saloon combines the compact proportions and outstanding handling of the IS range with more power and torque and five-speed automatic transmission with E-shift push-button gear-change system, which allows the driver to change gear with a faster, smoother shift.
Starting at £26,700 the IS300 saloon offers a high level of standard equipment including full leather seat trim, electrically adjustable and heated seats, electronic folding door mirrors and vehicle stability control.
In fact, the Jaguar X-type 3.0 V6 would require an increase of a staggering 19.6% on the base price to meet the same levels of specification as the Lexus IS300 3.0
saloon. The Lexus positioning is even stronger compared to the Mercedes C320 at exactly £4,000 more at list price level plus a further £6,077 of specification to match IS300 levels.
The IS300 SportCross demonstrates the ability of Lexus to create new concepts in luxury and performance car design offering dynamic performance and handling with five-door versatility. SportCross pays careful attention to structural rigidity and weight distribution to ensure that it handles as well as the best sports saloons. The SportCross is also fitted as standard with the five-speed automatic gearbox with E-shift.
IS300 SportCross enjoys similar price advantages over its main competitors. At £28,450 it is already £3,200 less expensive than the equivalent Mercedes and has an additional specification advantage of over £6,000. Equally, the equivalent BMW will need another £5,970 of optional upgrades to bring it up to the high specification level of the SportCross.
ENDS
