All-new 2013 Lexus IS launched in Malaysia
Having opened its order books last week, the all-new Lexus IS is ready to hit Malaysian roads after being officially launched at the Lexus Centre in Mutiara Damansara yesterday. Available in four variants, the new third generation model incorporates no less than 12 new features and technical innovations that serve to move the game on from its predecessor.
Two powertrain options are being offered, both displacing 2.5-litres. The base petrol engine is the 4GR V6 carried over from the predecessor sporting Toyota’s Dual VVT-i and D4 direct injection technologies to produce outputs of 205hp and 252Nm. The alternative is a hybrid mill powered by a 178hp Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine teaming up with a 141hp electric motor delivering a net system output of 220hp. The V6 mill is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission whilst the hybrid gets an electronic CVT.
The four-variant range offers buyers with three variations of the V6 model with the hybrid variant sitting at the pinnacle of the range. Prices start at RM277,190.40 (OTR with Insurance) with the standard IS 250 followed by the Luxury and F Sport variants priced at RM307,970.40 and RM341,928.80 respectively. The range-topping IS 300h model, unable to enjoy hybrid tax incentives due to its 2.5-litre capacity, is offered at RM393,228.40.
All variants of the new Lexus IS are offered with identical levels of safety equipment being offered with 8 airbags, ISOFIX, ABS, EBD, brake assist, hill start assist, stability control and traction control, the latter two being coordinated by what Lexus calls the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system. Reverse camera, which is bundled together with satellite navigation, is only available in the Luxury, F Sport, and 300h variants.
Notable interior features include the touch-operated electrostatic temperature control interface and 4.2-inch TFT multi-info display in the instrument cluster. The F Sport model has its own unique LFA-inspired 8-inch TFT screen that serves as its unique interactive instrument panel. The F Sport and 300h also gets an exclusive Mark Levinson 15-speaker audio system, compared to the 8-speaker Lexus Premium Audio set up found in the two lower models.
In addition to cosmetic enhancements, the more aggressive F Sport model comes with actual technical upgrades that serve to raise the IS 250’s driving experience. Whilst the other models offer three settings with their Drive Mode Selectors, the F Sport adds a fourth Sport S+ mode that offers even harder settings. The F Sport also comes with adaptive dampers, dubbed Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) in Lexus-speak.
Order taking of the new IS began on 19 June and Lexus expects to sell over 60 units by the end of this year. At the media launch yesterday, it was also announced that a new Lexus outlets will be opened in Ipoh, Kuching, and Malacca by the fourth quarter of this year, bringing the size of Lexus Malaysia’s network to a total of eight outlets nationwide.
Pictures: KON & Official Lexus release.
