試車, 攝影: Sammy Chan

 

DRIVING NOTES-

 

What's new and market significance

• Totally new third generation IS
• All new design since 2006-2013 model
• Eight years in same sheet metal said a lot about the outgoing second generation IS
• Same 4 models as old- IS 250 RWD, IS 250 AWD, IS 350 RWD and IS 350 AWD (no 2014 IS C and no hybrid version in Canada as yet)
• Base price higher than 2013's but has more standard features
• MSRPs are $37,300; $39,900; $44,500 and $44,000 respectively
• F Sport packages on top of Premium and Luxury packages are available in all models, most diverse F Sport offerings to date

Styling, size and dimensions

• On-line chats of IS's exterior styling easily captured more than half of the traffic US government listened to on a daily basis
• Bold, loud and dynamic exterior sheet metal characterized by an in-your-face "spindle grille" (looks even cooler without those plates!), angled front and rear headlamps, knife-sharp (or "Nike" sharp?) LED daytime running lights, broad-shouldered side profile and an aggressive firm stance
• Interior looks high-tech and you feel like you're sitting in a sports car
• Movable tachometer is derived from the Lexus LFA (will dwell on this later)
• Drag coefficient of 0.25 is exceptional, even lower than Lexus LFA
• longer and wider than outgoing model, wheelbase is up 70 mm, length by 85 mm and width by 10 mm
• averaging 30 kg lighter than old

Engine and Chassis

• Same engine lineup, both 2.5 litre and 3.5 litre V6 are carryovers
• Horsepower and torque output pretty much unchanged
• 2.5 litre V6- 204 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque
• 3.5 litre V6- 306 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque
• Vehicle tested is equipped with a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters behind steering wheel
• Tranny upshifts on its own in manual mode, M1 to M2 occurs at around 6900 rpm just before redline, shift changes are quick and responsive, tach rim changes colour during upshift

Performance/Handling/Steering/Ride/Comfort

• 3.5 litre V6 tested
• Power is strong all the way to rocket speed and low-down torque is excellent
• Acceleration is extremely smooth and power delivery is linear
• Not as explosive as BMW's turbo inline 6
• Drive Select Mode system letting driver customizes car to suit own needs
• SPORT S/S+ modes are available only on F-Sport packages
• Steering feel is the best in its class, beats BMW 335i, turn-in is tight and quick, smallish steering wheel helps
• Suspension setup is just right, deliver tons of grip while maximizing comfort on long journeys
• Kudos to Lexus for using more expensive A-arms rather than McPherson struts for front suspension(unlike BMW 3 Series)
• Completely revised rear suspension plus lower centre of gravity attribute to better cornering grip and minimizing body roll
• 70% of engine's torque is routed to the rear to provide that RWD steering feel as much as possible
• As tested Bridgestone Turanza EL400 is all-season
  

Interior

• High-tech and expensive look, very much a driver's car
• Stiching everywhere, could easily count 5 areas from driver's side
• Press the "folder" switch under round selector on right side of steering wheel and the central tachometer will move to the right, gimmicky but fun
• Design right off LFA, termed LFA TFT Instrument Cluster
• Once tach moves to the right, left side of instrument cluster will reveal selectable info like Gear position, Audio display, eco gauge, compass and street you are on, tire pressure, vehicle settings etc. etc.
• Seat looks sporty but very comfy, excellent lateral support, headrest a tad too big
• Shift knob feels and looks so so, did not seem an F Sport item at all
• Cupholder too far back, awkward when reaching for my favorite drink
• Rear legroom much much better than outgoing model, I could sit quite comfortably "behind myself"
• Trunk is deep and cargo volume has much improved
• Spare tire stored under trunk floor
  

 

規格 Specifications:

型号 Model: 2013 Lexus IS350 F-sport AWD
廠方建議售價 Base Price: $44,000
試車售價 Price as Tested: $50,800 (F-sport Premium Package)
軸距 Wheelbase(mm): 2800
長闊 Length/Width/Height (mm): 4665/1810/1430
引擎 Engine: 3.5-litre DOHC V6
最大馬力 Horsepower-HP: 306/6400rpm
最高扭力 Torque-LB-FT: 277/4800rpm
波箱 Transmission: 6-speed automatic
擺佈 Engine & Drive Configuration: Front engine, AWD
前懸 Suspension-Front: Upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, stabilizer bar
後懸 Suspension-Rear: Multi-link, coil springs, stabilizer bar
煞制-前 Brakes-Front: Vented disc
煞制-後 Brakes-Rear: Solid disc
循跡操控系统 ABS/Traction Control: Standard/VDIM
油耗 Fuel Consumption (City/Highway/Combined)- L/100 km: 11.0/7.7/9.5
輪胎尺碼 Tires: Bridgestone Turanza EL400 (Front 225/40R 18) (Rear 255/35R 18)