Lexus / Lexus IS 300

The Lexus IS300 Drive

The Lexus IS300 was launched alongside the BMW 328i that came up with the automatic transmission and impressive specifications, yet the Lexus joined the competitions with its own 5 speed automatic transmission system where it could have had the edge with manual systems. The edge was taken in the United States market with the comparatively powerful 3.0L Straight six engine from the GS300. The engine has too much torque to control with a six speed manual, as was the case with the IS200, ended up with the automatic transmission.

Engine specifications

The IS300 boasts of the 3.0 L I6 engine settled in the front with 10.5 compression ratio, double overhead cam, and four valves per cylinder. The fuel consumption is on the highway at 25 miles per gallon and in the city at 18 miles per gallon. The engine bears a multi point injection system. It has a total power capacity of 160 kW delivered by 215 horsepower at 5800 RPM. It delivers a torque of 218 ft-lb in 296 Nm at 3800 RPM. The main fuel tank is a 17.4 gallon premium unleaded tank. The engine is all brawn and is popular in the American markets. The power leverage is the key to its success over its European counterpart.

Body and handling specifications

The main body is a base sedan but a SportCross Wagon trim is also available. The base sedan has a four wheel anti lock braking system (ABS) and a brake assist system. The Wagon trim also bears the same setup the difference being only in the body kit and the engine mileage and power output. The car also has provisions for electronic brake distribution and electronic traction management via ABS and engine management. It has a wishbone front and an independent rear suspension with stabilizer bar and coil springs. Among four of the disc brakes, two of them are ventilated discs.

Exterior, Interior details and Performance

The car has a smooth outer body as is common with sedans. The cabin glass is tinted and has a fixed rear window with defogger. The visual designs are restricted to luxury trim alloys on gear knob and alloy look on doors as well as heat reflective glass and complex surface Xenon head lamps and front fog lights. Interiors have everything expected of a comfort class sedan from chrome dashboards and stereos to ashtrays and cup holders. The air conditioning has climate control as well. As far as performance goes, the accelerator is heavy on torque and a careless prod results in a jerking takeoff. It requires getting used to the sudden burst of torque but it develops into gradual takeoffs over time with better acceleration control.

The Overview

The Lexus IS300 has every quality of a sedan riding on it, and it does not disappoint. The car has the capability to outclass every sedan of its price range but loses out to handling issues, more specifically, the hard accelerator control. The other comforts are a plus as is the top speed potential delivered that classes it alongside rally cars and high performance cars. It is not a perfect object of fine tuning, but it is possible to do so, given the right setting.