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68 | FireFlyz
CAR
REVIEW
T
HE
Lexus IS is the
company’s line of entry
level luxury compact
executive cars. The
first generation is
also known as the
Toyota Altezza and
was a digression from the brand’s
conservative designs. This third
generation Lexus IS is a throwback
to that credo, after the more sedate
looking second generation.
Sitting at the exciting end of the IS
range is the F Sport variant. It sports
Lexus’ new spindle grille design
which gives it a more aggressive
forward lurch. I’m quite impartial to
the spindle, but must admit it looks
good on the F Sport. The unusual
looking tiny sculpted HID headlamps,
swooshy running lights complete
the assertive look. The peculiarity at
the front continues with the pair of
little chromed lumps on the bumper.
Headlamp washers are usually hidden
away until needed, but somehow Lexus
decided to show them off this time. To
balance the eccentricity at the front,
the rear gets mean looking tail lights,
which also look a little odd when seen
from a three-quarter profile and doesn’t
quite jive with the rest of the body’s
character lines.
Its exterior looks may be open to
debate, but the new interior sits better
on most eyes. The revamped interior is
less cramped due to the car’s increased
length and width and now has best-in-
class knee room for rear passengers.
The layered dashboard first seen in
the LF-CC concept car made it into
production and is a vast improvement
over the previous. The combination of
plastic, leather and metallic trim gives
it a more luxurious look and feel. The
center console also looks similar to the
concepts with the novel touch sensitive
temperature controls, which in practice
can prove to be a challenge when on
the road.
But the highlight on the interior has
to be the LFA-inspired digital meter
display. Available only in the F Sport,
it’s probably the first thing of the car
that you’ll show off to friends. The
fully digital meter animates to life upon
start up and with the push of a button
on the steering wheel, the meter slides
Sportylicious
Ride
The fun, more affordable LEXUS IS250 F Sport is set to
take the roads for the young spirited.
W o r d s & I m a g e s :
Z a c h a r y H o