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The IS200 is pitched at the BMW 3-series, which currently tops the charts in the compact exec-mobile league. Recently winning the Japanese Car of the Year award, the IS200 is a serious but sporty, technically
advanced car with every possible driving convenience. It is packed with innovative ideas all designed to make life with the "baby" Lexus as pleasant as possible. Who else would have designed alloy wheels that did not trap brake dust, which makes life easier for the cleaner? The car has excellent poise, which is well executed, sharp looks with an athletic physique.
The interior is distinctive to say the least. Aluminium, leather and suede adorn a spacious interior and take automotive interiors to new levels of build quality. There are many clever and well-considered ideas to keep both driver and passenger happy. The instrument panel immediately engages your attention, arranged like an expensive chronograph. The speedo sits in the centre with three gauges set within, while the tacho is to the left with the fuel gauge to the right. The use of aluminium on the gauges and dash create a sporty-techno image and this theme is continued on the gearknob and drilled pedals. In-car entertainment is provided by an up to the minute in-dash six disc CD autochanger. The electric multi-adjustable front seats are trimmed with leather and hold the driver and passenger alike, firmly in place providing firm support and ensuring optimum comfort. Rear seat passengers also sit in considerable comfort and enjoy generous legroom. Other creature comforts include climate control, air conditioning and traction control.
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If you think all this good, the exterior is also a delight. Sitting on 17 inch alloy wheels, which fill each wheel arch, the car looks the part as an exec-mobile. With smooth lines and curves together with the canny use of front and rear lighting the car has a strong and appealing presence. Above all, it is visually attractive from all aspects making the IS200 a very distinctive car. There is little use of chrome, which is the convention used by other cars in its class at present, but it tends to cheapen the image. This is not happening with the IS200.
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Powered by a straight six, the new addition to the Lexus family is capable of producing 155bhp. This is enough to cover 0-60mph in 9.5 seconds with the use of the six-speed close ratio gearbox. Top speed is a respectable 135mph. The chassis handles well and this is aided by the double wishbone suspension with coil springs, dampers and anti-roll bars to the front and rear. This affords the car excellent ride and handling. Grip levels are superb. A unique power steering arrangement, which is both oil pressure and speed sensitive, ensures that the driver is kept in touch with the road at all times.
As a "baby" Lexus it bears all the hallmarks that are associated with its family. It is a well built car with a quality feel which, no matter how it's driven, will reward it's driver at all times. Available in the UK from this month the new Lexus IS200 will appeal to many, however, will the name be enough to woo the badge conscious executives? Prices range from �20,500 (UK) to little over �24,000 for the all-singing, all dancing SE model. This car is sure to make a big impression in its market niche.
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