The Lexus Hybrid IS 300h Executive Edition serves to remind us that there is a civilized life outside of the BMW 3 series. Jonathan Crouch reports.Ten Second Review
The Lexus IS 300h Executive Edition was built on a long specification list of luxury models, adding satellite navigation and leather upholstery. That means that for £ 31k, you get a car with an extensive spec list, 223bhp worth of power output, 101g/km emissions and 65.7 MPG economy. That's hard for the better.Background
Imagine you have landed a new job, you have been wangled a new MacBook Pro with a cost, know where the best coffee to obtain an email from the company's fleet manager ping it to your inbox letting you know you got a company car £ 31k allowance.Like most people, the first Port you call will be the BMW site. You quickly realize that the plug-in Hybrid 330e model is well out of budget and that your allowance will only stretch to the unspectacular 318d in SE drab trim. You are not ready to live with the only 150bhp under your right boot.
Mercedes ' Price list is no more exhilarating. Here you can only pay basic model C classes. Audi? A little less miserable; Here you can get 190PS A4 2.0 TDI. What about Lexus? It's a long shot but worth a look. For £31,000, you can get yourself a Hybrid Lexus IS 300h Executive Edition with leather, satellite navigation and a combined 223bhp power output. Emissions are lower than all the others, more gears and more power. What does not like?
Driving Experience
With more than 50 percent of the compact executive market being a diesel-powered and the amount it grows year after year, diving directly with no diesel engine offered in the range will appear to be the action of Folly's betrayal, but 300h is a Lexus ' alternative option for diesel. It makes a decent figure. Between the 178bhp 2.5-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine and the 105kW electric motor, you end up with a figure of power over 223bhp.The engine benefits from the D-4S fuel injection system, dual VVT-i's Intelligent variable Valve Timing and high-efficiency exhaust gas recirculation system for maximum power and efficiency and rear wheels driven through the transmission of E-CVT Hybrid powertrain. It will get to 62mph in 8.3 seconds and runs at a speed of 125mph.
The suspension and steering have been revised to improve how drive IS, and there is a new Select mode drive system that allows the driver to choose between Eco, Normal and Sport modes that last hone the throttle response and offer a Sportier steering arrangement. With a petrol-powered car, you enjoy a quieter walk, no clatter on startup, faster Defrosting in winter and more clean refuelling.
Design and build
This increases the third-generation IS subtle but significant. Buyers got reset headlamps, a bigger and deeper intake of air integrated into the bumper and further evolution of the signature Lexus Spindle Grille. In the profile, the character line along the side of the car has been made stronger, and behind, full chrome has been added to the bottom bumper panel. The backlight has also been redesigned, with LED lights and quick light guides that create L-shaped motifs.
Inside, the high-resolution multi-information display accompanying the Lexus Premium navigation system has increased from seven to 10.25 inches, presenting a larger and clearer image and providing a separate display function so that displaying different information can be presented at the same time. Changes have also been made to the steering (matching design in the Lexus RC Coupe), and the driver and knee bearing front passenger now run full console center. There are also new cabinets, satin finishes for gear levers, larger, leather-wrapped and stitched Palm Rest for remote Touch interface Control, and a brand dial classier on analog clocks.
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