Lexus understands that European drivers want and demand the option of diesel power in their luxury cars. Here at home we're a little slower in coming to terms with the whole 'diesel thing' mainly due to excessive premiums when buying new over petrol versions. Otto Diesel himself would be proud of the level of sophistication delivered by diesel engines that were once perceived as crude and agricultural. It is not purely about better fuel consumption - although the IS220 averages an impressive 6.3l/100km or 44.8mpg in old money - but the way diesel delivers power.
From far lower revs than a petrol engine diesels pull strongly and in day-to-day driving this is what motorists want. The downside will always be the unavoidable smelly-oily nature of the product. Filling up at the pumps can be a pain as the fuel can stain clothes and leave an awful stink on your hands.
Lexus, Toyota's luxury brand can definitely take on BMW's brilliant 3 Series and the Audi A4 with a chance of winning.
The exterior styling is far more aggressive than the 3 with strong angular lines much like a Honda Accord highlighting a very low frontal area. The only odd looking thing about the exterior is the massive side mirrors that wouldn't look out of place on a Land Cruiser.
Inside the cabin is less tarty than the old car. Gone, sadly is the chronograph-inspired centre speedometer dial. In its place is a conventional dial set up that is, I have to admit, more elegant. As ever loads of toys are standard.
Having driven the graceful IS250 in automatic form I was curious to see how the six-speed manual gearbox would work out in the IS220. The lever is biased towards the driver so that when in fifth and sixth the lever is almost leaning on your thigh. Despite having 400nm of torque on tap and 177bhp the IS can strain in sixth.
Sixth is for motorway cruising only and will grumble below about 100km/h. I found top gear best used with the standard cruise control, as then you won't feel any harshness or straining through your right foot at legal speeds while maximising economy.
The original IS200 nicked sorry emulated the suspension and drive layout of the old 3 series and as a result was a tidy driver's car on the open road. Rear-wheel-drive remains in the new car along with double wishbone front suspension with the rear a multi-link setup. The car feels good under your backside although the IS220 is no tear-away road racer despite a 0-100km/h time of 8.9. The car is composed but not as settled as a 3 series. IS220 only gives away it's a diesel on start up and when pressed hard.
I love the look and feel of the new IS and now that it has a diesel option that makes the petrol version look very thirsty, the Japanese brand should make serious inroads into BMW and Audi's dominance in the compact luxury car sector.
Michael Sheridan
