The newly launched Lexus IS 250C is available to order now, with deliveries to start in July.
The IS 250C a convertible version of the popular IS saloon, has the world’s fastest deploying three-part metal folding roof, which means owners can enjoy quiet, turbulence-free top-down motoring with the least fuss. The car also neatly combines the superior ride quality, responsive handling and excellent NVH characteristics of the IS saloon with the elegance, comfort and refinement of a convertible.
Design
Only the IS 250C’s bonnet, headlamps, doorhandles and mirrors are shared with the IS saloon; all other body panels have been redesigned to harmonise with the three-part aluminium folding roof.
The roof can be opened or closed in just 21 seconds, faster than any other three-part roof on the market, its four-link mechanism using an array of 15 motors and 37 sensors to give smooth and silent operation.
The system is activated by a one-touch switch on the dashboard. As the folding operation extends the lip of the upper boot beyond the line of the rear bumper, sensors are integrated into the rear bumper to ensure the roof will only open and close if it is safe to do so and prevent it from hitting any obstacle. During closing, a “roof brake” slows the rate at which the hard top descends to meet the head of the windscreen.
In the cabin the instrumentation has been revised to ensure gauges and meters can be clearly read when the roof is down. LED contrast has been increased and the quality of the glass has been changed to reduce light reflection.
The front seats have eight-way power adjustment and are designed with a new arched frame with an integrated seatbelt guide. Increased heater capacity and ventilation airflow ensure they maintain comfort when driving with the top down.
Refinement
The IS250C has been designed to combine the lowest possible drag coefficient – 0.29 with the roof raised – with minimal wind turbulence in the cabin when the roof is lowered, particularly around the passengers’ face, shoulders and thighs.
Revisions to bodyshell rigidity, chassis tuning and sound insulation mean that in coupe trim the car achieves NVH performance that is almost identical to that of the IS saloon.
The electronic climate control has been configured for top-down motoring, improving interior temperature consistency and comfort with automatic adjustment of the air outlets, temperature and airflow. Airflow volume takes into account both the outside temperature and vehicle speed, while the temperature is adjusted in line with outside temperature, the amount of sunlight and vehicle speed.
Both the standard eight-speaker 246W premium sound system and 12-speaker 365W Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system shift to a different equaliser setting when the roof is down to provide consistent audio quality, automatically adapting to the natural loss of bass.
Driving Performance
The new IS 250C is powered by the 205bhp/208 DIN hp direct-injection petrol V6 engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential, paddle-shift control. Acceleration from nought to 62mph is achieved in 9.0 seconds, top speed is 130mph, combined cycle fuel economy is 30.4mpg and CO2 emissions are 219g/km.
The suspension system is the proven double wishbone front and multi-link rear set-up featured in the IS saloon range, which gives the car sporting, agile performance. Significant chassis revisions have been made to give ride comfort appropriate for a convertible and consistent dynamic performance, in both coupe and convertible configuration.
Numerous changes have been made to the body structure, with extra bracing and reinforcements to increase collision strength, roll-over protection and torsional rigidity to minimise cowl shake and optimise chassis controllability.
The IS 250C has the highest active and passive safety technology content in its segment, including Lexus’s Vehicle dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), with open body-specific Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) tuned for shorter stopping distances on split-friction surfaces. There is also a revised Pre-Crash Safety (PCS) system, which supports the Pre-Crash Seatbelt, Brake and Brake Assist, and a twin-chamber design passenger front airbag.
2.5 Litre V6 Petrol Engine
The chain-driven, double overhead cam, 24-valve 2,500cc V6 Dual VVT-i petrol engine is compact and lightweight, with an aluminium die-cast cylinder block and intake manifold and a resin intake chamber.
Using direct injection, it has a high, 130-bar injection pressure and develops 205bhp at 6,400rpm and 252Nm of torque at 4,800rpm. This gives nought- 62mph acceleration in 9.0 seconds, a 130mph top speed, 30.4mpg combined cycle fuel consumption and 219g/km CO2 emissions.
Dual VVT-i (variable valve timing – intelligent) control of both intake and exhaust valves supports strong and efficient engine performance.
The layout of the stainless steel exhaust system has been modified to accommodate the car’s extra underbody bracing, the dual-tube split at an optimal point between the braces without compromising the exhaust note or back pressure performance.
Transmission
The six-speed automatic transmission has a sequential range selection mode, operated using paddle controls mounted on the steering wheel. Gear range selection can also be made using the gear lever. With faster downshift times than in fully automatic mode, it gives the option of grater driver involvement and the chance to fully exploit the car’s dynamic abilities.
An artificial intelligence (AI-SHIFT) control automatically changes the shift pattern according to road conditions and individual driving style.
The IS 250C uses the proven front and rear suspension systems from the IS saloon, with chassis revisions to achieve ride comfort appropriate for a convertible and to gain consistent dynamic performance in both roof-up and roof-down driving.
The new IS 250C is available to order now with first deliveries to customers in July. Model range starts from £34,550 for the entry-level IS 250C SE-I while the range topping IS 250C SE-L with Multimedia Pack, PCS and ACC costs £43,250.
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