Four hours-what else could you do with that? Plenty. But once we’re talking seat time in one of Lexus’ more affordable and exciting-offerings, four hours might as well are already four minutes. It’s not really enough. However short the driving experience, nonetheless it had been an exciting one. However, you already knew that. Equal portions tease (in that I can’t own one, yet), performance and pleasure, Lexus is ready to drop its third gen IS platform, with the IS 350 and 250 first (the IS C and IS F are expected to come a year later). But besides the two standard issue models, each has an F Sport variant that are also worth taking a look at. The one that will probably grab you most, I’m betting, is the 350; of the two, it receives the IS F’s highly-coveted, eight-speed, Sport Direct Shift transmission. On top of the already-impressive 306 horsepower 3.5L V6 2GR-FSE (a similar engine based in the previous gen), the automatic trans can be controlled via paddle shifters (or by traditional shift lever selection) featuring an all-new G-force Artificial Intelligence system-this means it’ll automatically drop into an optimum gear and downshift pattern based on G force.
Being a complete redesign, there are the inevitable positives and negatives that come with the territory. The top end is actually a toss-up, I’d imagine, for most people; I’m not opposed to it. This time the LED daytime running lighting is separate from the headlights; the 250/350 come standard with HIDs but will be upgraded to dual projector LEDs. What may throw most aftermarket aero designers for a loop (besides figuring out how to handle the DRL situation) would be the spindle grille, as the hourglass design falls right consistent with the IS’ elders, the GS and LS-and will either need to be completely replaced but as well might do simply by using a lip spoiler. The back end has really nice lines that lead all the way over to the rear trunk/bumper, but what may come as being a nice surprise to enthusiasts is that Lexus (similar to the Scion FR-S) has tailored the back wheel wells to be nearly flat in the inner portion, giving you more track and options when it comes to wheel fitment. You simply will notThe back suspension is now multilink whilst the front steering and suspension are derived from the GS. While the standard models come with a new Drive Mode Select, featuring Eco, Normal and Sport modes, the IS 350 F Sport will also have an Adaptive Variable Suspension that’ll give two settings to advance fine tune the car’s handling: Normal, for daily driving, and Sport S or Sport S for sportier movements. As you c an
probably guess, my test car was left strictly in Sport S . AWD
variants come with a Snow mode. Anyone care to piss people off with a beyond awesome stereo package? Then forget starting towards the bottom with the OEM unit, go straight to the top with the Mark Levinson Premium Surround System as it’s worth the weight in premium sound with 835 watts and 15 speakers. Overkill? Do yourself a solid and go for a demo run.
2014 lexus IS 350 F sport steering wheel cluster gauge
2014 lexus IS 350 F sport digital gauge
2014 lexus IS 350 F sport adaptive suspension
F Sport packages are undoubtedly a good premium option if you’re looking to get more out of the new IS, given that they helped elevate the next gen IS. Nothing beats having OEM quality, and so both 250/350 will get special 18-inch wheels, tuned suspension and other interior/exterior tweaks. The IS 250 F Sport (and all 350s, standard or F Sport) come equipped with an intake sound generator that’ll help develop a meaner growl as the engine climbs within the rpm and springs alive. My personal favorite feature from the F Sport models will be the TFT instrument gauge, inspired by the LFA halo car, which uses exactly the same moving center ring to get a crazy, badass cluster. Actually, the entire interior is LFA-inspired, so everyone wins on all fronts.
Anyone who becomes the proud owner of an IS 350 F Sport (or any IS model) should take comfort in knowing that they’re going to enjoy the car for a lot more than my four hours (lucky bastards). It is so choice. I recommend picking one up if you have the means.
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