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Story by Lexus 24th February 2000
LEXUS IS200 ‘EXECUTIVE’ WIDENS APPEAL An "Executive Pack" of interior fittings has been introduced by Lexus to widen further the appeal of the very successful IS200 sports sedan. The package is shown for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show on one of two Lexus IS200 models on the stand. "In this part of the prestige sedan market we have identified two distinct types of buyer - younger people who want very modern and sporty styles, and other buyers, perhaps down-sizing from another prestige car, who want more traditional surroundings," said Javier Contijoch, Lexus Brand Director. The new package includes a two-tone black and ivory dashboard, Ecsaine seats with piping, a real wood power window switch base, and a one-piece black leather steering wheel. Lexus IS200 has been very successful in Europe since its full introduction in April, 1999. The combination of smooth six-cylinder power and the excellent balance of the front engine/rear drive combination has found wide appeal in every market, with sales for the nine months of 1999 totalling 12,190 units. This helped boost Lexus total figures for the year to 16,250 units, an increase of 223% over 1998. IS200 in detail The dynamic ability of the car and its aggressive styling place the IS200 in a different market category from the luxury LS400 and the sporty Lexus GS300. The IS200’s chief engineer Mr Nobuaki Katayama is a racing enthusiast who developed his design rationale during four years with Toyota’s successful motorsport division. A classic straight six twin overhead camshaft engine with VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing intelligent) gives the perfect balance of power and torque. The 1998cc, 24-valve unit develops 114kW at 6,200 rpm and produces maximum torque of 195Nm at 4,600 rpm. An IS200 fitted with the six-speed manual transmission will accelerate from the 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds, and reach a top speed of 215 km/h. The four-speed automatic version will reach 205 km/h and accelerate to 100 km/h in 11.2 seconds. The very sophisticated power unit is both fuel-efficient and clean. The Lexus IS200 will return 9.6 litre/100km on the combined cycle, and complies with European Step III emissions standards. Multi-link double wishbone suspension front and rear gives the best possible balance of precision and handling and ride comfort, and the development and final tuning of the suspension owes much to extensive testing on roads in Europe, including the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit. Control and handling are helped by the very well balanced weight distribution with the engine and battery as far back as possible and the fuel tank underneath the rear seat. The Lexus IS200 has stylish 17 inch alloy wheels which allow the use of large diameter front and rear brake discs, ventilated at the front. These help give the IS200 among the best stopping distances in this class of car with either hot or cold discs. Driver confidence is further boosted by standard equipment which includes switchable traction control and four-channel anti-lock braking. Driver and front passenger SRS airbags are also standard, and side SRS airbags. Exterior styling is based on the sharply wedged silhouette with a powerful bulging bonnet line. The famous Lexus front grille is flanked by angled headlamps, and the low-slung air dam and built-in fog lamps add to the sporty image. The interior styling is equally distinctive, and the spacious interior features figure-hugging sports seats, a three-spoke leather steering wheel and an innovative dashboard with instruments inspired by chronograph design. Minor gauges include an instantaneous fuel consumption reading, engine temperature and battery indicator, while models with the automatic gearbox have a gearshift indicator. A six-speaker audio system is designed into the car with six-disc CD changer integrated in the centre console. An important option on the IS200 is a fully-integrated on-board navigation system. A pop-up display is fitted to the top of the centre console and can be used by either driver or front seat passenger. Standard equipment includes a full climate control air conditioning system that delivers temperature regulated airflow to all parts of the cabin. Other standard equipment includes remote control central locking, electric power windows all round with one-touch control and jam-protection for the driver’s side. Also standard are heated, electrically folding exterior mirrors, front and rear fog lamps, illuminated vanity mirrors and a passenger seat belt warning. IS200 / SPECIFICATIONS
Note: Some options set forth in this documentation may not be available in every country and therefore local dealers may not be able to provide vehicles with such options. Please contact your local distributor should you require specific information regarding your country. |
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