Lexus IS continues to grow in popularity in Europe

LEXUS has a new millionaire with global sales of the IS range of sports saloons moving into seven figures at the end of July.

It’s a big achievement for a car that was the first Lexus to be designed primarily for the European market, a region where its popularity remains strong today. In fact, one in five Lexus IS sold worldwide is sold in Europe.

Seventeen years ago, Lexus’ intention was for the IS to attract new, younger customers to the brand; being a sporty, compact saloon offering sharp styling, a responsive straight-six 2.0-litre engine and rear-wheel drive.

As the third Lexus to debut in Europe after the original LS and GS models, it succeeded in giving the company a presence in a large and highly competitive part of the premium car market, its outstanding driving dynamics and sporting profile matched by high equipment and safety levels. Lexus’s fast-growing reputation for excellent quality and customer service further helped the IS win customer interest, and the range soon expanded to include the more powerful 3.0-litre IS 300 and, from 2001, the novel SportCross compact wagon.

The original IS proved an effective pathfinder for Lexus through to 2005 when the second generation model made its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Displaying more distinctive and sophisticated styling rooted in Lexus’s new L-finesse design philosophy and even more refinement, the newcomer provided the platform for Lexus to explore new possibilities that would see the IS develop much wider market appeal. The initial IS 250, featuring a 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine and available with a new automatic transmission, was joined in 2006 by the first diesel-powered Lexus, the IS 220d.

A year later, the Detroit Motor Show witnessed the unveiling of the IS F, a high-performance saloon ‘ built by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts,’ as Lexus declared.

This was the first Lexus to wear the F performance badge, a predecessor of the LFA supercar and today’s RC F and GS F models. Every part of the car was honed for performance and driving pleasure. Its 5.0-litre V8 engine delivered 423 DIN hp through the world’s first eight-speed transmissions, enabling the car to move from rest to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds, en route to a 270 km/h top speed. The IS F was genuinely race track-bred, with extensive testing at the Fuji Speedway in Japan and on Germany’s renowned Nürburgring. As a thoroughbred, it was engineered with dedicated performance components, from its engine, transmission and suspension to its wheels and tyres.

The versatility of the IS was further explored in 2009 with the introduction of the IS 250C, a svelte coupe-convertible equipped with a threepart retracting hard-top. Not only was the roof mechanism the fastest-operating on the market, its ingenious design ensured the IS C looked equally good with top up or down, and allowed for generous space for rear seat occupants.

The IS also offers a 2.0-litre turbo engine with innovative D-4ST fuel injection technology for both fuel economy and instantaneous torque. The Lexus IS 200t delivers 245 DIN hp with a maximum torque of 350 Nm. Capable of rapid acceleration up to a top speed of 230 km/h, its eight speed Sport Direct Shift transmission was developed for the high-performance RC F. FORD has announced its intent to have a high-volume, fully autonomous Society of Automotive Engineers-rated (SAE) level 4- capable vehicle in commercial operation in 2021 in a ride-hailing or ride-sharing service.

To get there, the company is investing in or collaborating with four start-ups to enhance its autonomous vehicle development, doubling its Silicon Valley team and more than doubling its Palo Alto campus.

‘ The next decade will be defined by automation of the automobile, and we see autonomous vehicles as having as significant an impact on society as Ford’s moving assembly line did 100 years ago,’ said Mark Fields, Ford president and CEO.

‘We’re dedicated to putting on the road an autonomous vehicle that can improve safety and solve social and environmental challenges for millions of people – not just those who can afford luxury vehicles.’

Autonomous vehicles in 2021 are part of Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in autonomous vehicles, as well as in connectivity, mobility, the customer experience, and data and analytics.

Building on more than a decade of autonomous vehicle research and development, Ford’s first fully autonomous vehicle will be a Society of Automotive Engineers-rated level 4-capable vehicle without a steering wheel or accelerator and brake pedals. It is being specifically designed for commercial mobility services, such as ride-sharing and ride-hailing, and will be available in high volumes.

This year, Ford will triple its autonomous vehicle test fleet to be the largest test fleet of any car maker – bringing the number to about 30 self-driving Fusion Hybrid sedans on the roads in California, Arizona and Michigan, with plans to triple it again next year.