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April 3, 2008 http://www.thecarconnection.com/fullreview/lexus_is-300_2001

  Bob Storck
EditorBob Storck

SOLVANG, Calif. — Americans are proud of their country, but have special loves for the foreign and exotic. This little town in the rolling coastal pastures purports to be a slice of Denmark, and Lexus is suggesting that their 2001 IS 300 sport sedan will be a tasty alternative for BMW’s 3-Series customers. Well, lots of folks flock to Solvang — look for similar crowds at Lexus dealers.

When Toyota launched their Lexus brands, the initial products were upgrades of current Toyotas, but no more. With runaway success has come the funds and confidence for individual Lexus product development, plus some new niche items that created markets of their own. First Lexus took aim at Mercedes with the LS and ES models, then tested the high end two- and four-door sports market with the SC and GS cars. Then they out-Ranged Rover with the LX and followed it up with the capable and comfortable alternative RX 300 sport-ute.

Their next logical target was the bread and butter entry-level sports market. Unlike competitive models that offer base and optional powertrains, the IS 300 will come standard with a 215-horsepower, 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine from the GS 300 that produces 218 lb-ft of peak torque. The engine employs continuously Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) to optimize valve overlap throughout the speed range, eliminating the usual compromise between low-end torque and high-rpm horsepower.

The IS pulls solidly in any gear at any speed, and is ideally matched to an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission with Formula One-inspired E-shift steering-wheel gear-selection controls. The shift buttons are on the front and rear of the wheel, eliminating confusion that often occurs with toggle controls when the wheel is turned. The beefy tires grip the road, yet Lexus engineers tune the suspension with enough give to avoid the jarring of some pure performance sedans.

SOLVANG, Calif. — Americans are proud of their country, but have special loves for the foreign and exotic. This little town in the rolling coastal pastures purports to be a slice of Denmark, and Lexus is suggesting that their 2001 IS 300 sport sedan will be a tasty alternative for BMW’s 3-Series customers. Well, lots of folks flock to Solvang — look for similar crowds at Lexus dealers. When Toyota launched their Lexus brands, the initial products were upgrades of current Toyotas, but no more. With runaway success has come the funds and confidence for individual Lexus product development, plus some new niche items that created markets of their own. First Lexus took aim at Mercedes with the LS and ES models, then tested the high end two- and four-door sports market with the SC and GS cars. Then they out-Ranged Rover with the LX and followed it up with the capable and comfortable alternative RX 300 sport-ute. Their next logical target was the bread and butter entry-level sports market. Unlike competitive models that offer base and optional powertrains, the IS 300 will come standard with a 215-horsepower, 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine from the GS 300 that produces 218 lb-ft of peak torque. The engine employs continuously Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) to optimize valve overlap throughout the speed range, eliminating the usual compromise between low-end torque and high-rpm horsepower. The IS pulls solidly in any gear at any speed, and is ideally matched to an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission with Formula One-inspired E-shift steering-wheel gear-selection controls. The shift buttons are on the front and rear of the wheel, eliminating confusion that often occurs with toggle controls when the wheel is turned. The beefy tires grip the road, yet Lexus engineers tune the suspension with enough give to avoid the jarring of some pure performance sedans. SOLVANG, Calif. — Americans are proud of their country, but have special loves for the foreign and exotic. This little town in the rolling coastal pastures purports to be a slice of Denmark, and Lexus is suggesting that their 2001 IS 300 sport sedan will be a tasty alternative for ...