Part 5: 2014 Lexus IS 250/350 Product Information

 

Carried over from its predecessor, the new IS 350’s advanced, V6 gas engine features D-4S direct and port injection, and Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) to both intake and exhaust camshafts, significantly enhancing engine performance and reducing fuel consumption.

 

The engine features a lightweight, die-cast aluminium cylinder block. The cylinder head castings have been optimized to make them thin-walled and lighter, the spark plugs have been positioned near the center of the combustion chamber to enhance anti-knocking and combustion performance, and the intake and exhaust valve diameters have been made as large as possible to improve performance.

 

A roller rocker arm has been adopted for the valve mechanism to reduce friction and improve fuel economy. And the engine’s target idle speed in D range at low speed has been changed to further enhance fuel efficiency.

 

The unit develops 306hp (228 kW) at 6400 rpm and 277 lb-ft (375 Nm) of torque at 4800 rpm, accelerating the IS 350 from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and on to a maximum track speed of 143 mph. It returns fuel consumption of 10.8/7.3/9.2 L/100km (City/Hwy/Comb).

 

The IS 350 AWD’s electronically controlled all-wheel drive system is designed to improve traction and grip by automatically varying front-to-rear torque balance from 50:50 to as much as 20:80, providing exceptional stability under all driving conditions.

 

Equipped with all-wheel drive, the IS 350 AWD will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds, has a maximum speed of 210km/h and returns fuel consumption of 11.0/7.7/9.5 L/100km (City/Hwy/Comb).

3.5 liter, rear-wheel drive IS 350 models are now equipped with the 8-speed, Sport Direct Shift (SPDS) automatic transmission from the acclaimed Lexus IS F.

 

In Sport mode, via new paddle shifters with improved ergonomics, this is the first Lexus model to adopt G-AI control; a system that automatically selects the optimum gear and downshift pattern in response to G force, also maintaining the selected gear through a corner.

 

In Manual mode, the transmission will not only hold selected gears, but also offers complete lock-up for quick-response shifting from 2^nd through to 8^th gear. In Normal mode, a new control system promotes more stable driving by suppressing the generation of G force caused by downshifting and delivering smoother acceleration.

 

 

Also carried over from the current IS 250, the chain-driven double overhead camshaft, 24 valve, V6 engine is of a particularly compact and lightweight design.  Weight reduction measures include the use of an aluminium die-cast cylinder block and intake manifold, and a resin-made intake chamber. The overall engine assembly is made even lighter and more compact through the installation of the water and oil pumps within the chain cover.

 

The V6 features D-4 direct injection, and Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) to both intake and exhaust camshafts, enhancing engine performance.

It develops 204 hp (152 kW) at 6400 rpm and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque at 4800 rpm, accelerating the IS 250 from 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and giving a maximum speed of 225 km/h r. Fuel consumption is  9.8/6.5/8.3 L/100km (City/Hwy/Comb).

 

Equipped with the same all-wheel drive as the IS 350 AWD, the IS 250 AWD will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 8.3 seconds and has a top track speed of 210 km/hr.  Fuel consumption is 10.4/7.3/9.0 L/100km (City/Hwy/Comb).

The IS 250’s “6 Super ECT” close-ratio 6-speed automatic transmission features a sequential manual shifting mode. It incorporates numerous technologies including faster shift speeds, earlier torque converter lock-up and downshift throttle blips- to support the range of driving modes available through the Drive Mode Select system.