Lexus was founded by Toyota engineers who wanted to dominate the luxury car market. With a goal of combining performance, safety and fun, it was the IS that got a young enthusiast hooked on racing. Knowing full well the expectations of his family, Akio Toyoda worked his way to the top.The LF-A was his first claim to fame, and now he has turned his attention to where it all started.
The all new 2021 Lexus IS series will arrive this fall, as we learned in the live reveal last night. Instead of a mid-cycle refresh, they started from scratch. He set incredible targets for performance and safety without compromising comfort or civility. In order to meet these goals, the company built a new testing facility. The Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama allows engineers and professional racers to share experiences and data.
This was essential in tuning the new chassis for performance in any situation. For instance, a harsh rebound from the rear wheels created a vibration that traveled up the C-pillar, encompassing the rear seats as it climbed. So engineers added thicker and stronger steel from the control arms to the roof panel, effectively chasing the vibration out of the car. This process was repeated after thousands of miles on the track, and each time it was an opportunity to increase passenger safety simultaneously.
If you want the ultimate example, the IS F Sport is based on the IS 350. It will arrive with 311 horsepower, 19″ wheels, and meaty 265/35 tires. Not just for looks, it has specific aerodynamic attributes in the lower front spoiler, belly pan, rocker panels and the sculpted trunk lid. Adaptive Variable Suspension is tuned for optional forged BBS wheels, proving that no detail was overlooked. Dynamic Handling Package offers more grip in the corners thanks to bespoke stability parameters and a Torsen differential.
The IS 300 offers a 241 horsepower turbo-4, and both models are available with AWD. If you need the comfort and quality only Lexus can provide, click the button below to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for a complete review once they arrive.
