Lexus Focuses On Stealing 3 Series Cabrio Sales With New IS 250c

Lexus Focuses On Stealing 3 Series Cabrio Sales With New IS 250c

The lid’s been lifted on a new Lexus drop-top. The firm has added a second four-seater convertible to its range, called the IS 250C. On sale from July, the model has a folding metal roof that opens or closes in 20 seconds – faster than any rival car.

Despite being based on the saloon, there are only a handful of common components: the bonnet, headlamps, door handles and mirrors. Everything else has been redesigned to accommodate the roof. The nose is 15mm longer to improve roof-down aerodynamics, while LED tail-lights appear at the rear.

The doors are 30cm longer than the saloon’s, and the front seats have a ‘one-touch walk-in’ button, which folds them and slides them forward. Extra comfort for top-down driving is provided by additional heating pads at shoulder height. The two individual rear seats are set 30mm further inboard than in the saloon to create more headroom.

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HSCenterconsoleHSCenterconsole - 3/18/2009 12:34:26 PM
+1 Boost
"Lexus Focuses On Stealing 3 Series Cabrio Sales With New IS 250c"

I'm sure Lexus will sell a bunch of these, but I certainly can't see them stealing 3-Series sales based on looks or performance.


NannerPusNannerPus - 3/18/2009 6:14:20 PM
0 Boost
Shoot for the stars Lexus and maybe you'll hit your forehead.




FanboysStinkFanboysStink - 3/18/2009 8:46:04 PM
+3 Boost
— HSCenterconsole:
"I certainly can't see them stealing 3-Series sales based on [...] performance."

Could you please motivate this?

Lexus IS 250, 204HP, 2500cc, USD 30.000
0 - 60 (sec): 7.5
0 - 75 (sec): 11.4
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 15.8@89.5

BMW 325xi, 215HP, 3000cc, USD 35.000
0 - 60 (sec): 7.7
0 - 75 (sec): 11.4
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 15.8 @ 88.6

Lexus: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Followup/articleId=121228/pageId=125281

BMW: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Followup/articleId=115596/pageId=97746


XYZZXYZZ - 3/19/2009 2:07:27 AM
+5 Boost
with its lighter weight, the IS250 actually handles BETTER than the IS350.


HSCenterconsoleHSCenterconsole - 3/19/2009 8:10:52 AM
+2 Boost
Fanboystink:
Using the '06 325xi wagon against the '07 IS250 RWD sedan is disingenuous for several reasons:
1) In the links you provide, you are comparing a RWD sedan to a heavier, AWD station wagon.
2) In '07, the 325i was upgraded to the 328i with 230hp.

Since this article is about convertibles, the 328i convertible hits 60mph in 6.6 seconds.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison_test/convertibles/2007_vw_eos_vs_audi_a4_bmw_328i_volvo_c70_saab_9_3_comparison_test+page-6.html

If you are going to compare cars, compare the right ones with eachother. Stop the Lexus spin.


daydaydayday - 3/19/2009 8:23:11 AM
+2 Boost
FanboysStink:
are you using a AWD wagon to compare RWD convertible?
this is a joke...


FanboysStinkFanboysStink - 3/19/2009 10:51:02 AM
+1 Boost
I was trying to find a BMW sample matching Lexus in engine power as tightly as possible so it was 325. It's not all that difficult to understand, right?

Then I didn't know xDrive worsen BMW performance that much. Audi A4 2.0T quattro is much faster from 0-62 than a FWD A4 2.0T while A4 1.8T quattro posts same 0-62 acceleration as A4 1.8T FWD.

But this being four rings, apparently I can't judge BMW by Audi standards. Sorry for misleading you then.

BTW, for USD 2000 more than 328i I get IS 350 which is faster than the BMW without any doubt.


HSCenterconsoleHSCenterconsole - 3/19/2009 11:13:32 AM
0 Boost
Fanboystink:

When you COMPARE cars, you usually choose similiar vehicles. A RWD, 6MT Lexus sedan does not really compete with an AWD, 6AT BMW wagon. I know you want to make BMW look bad, but at least try to have some sense of reality when doing so. And if you were really concerned with "matching Lexus in engine power as tightly as possible" you would have looked at an '06 RWD, 6MT 325i sedan.

Also, highlighting a BMW model that is no longer sold is dishonest. The '07 IS250 you linked to competes with the '07 328i (not the '06 325 you linked to).

Yes, the 306hp IS350 is faster than the 230hp 328i. But drive the two and I think you will understand why the BMW remains the benchmark sports sedan and the car that the competitors constantly want to emulate/beat (and hence why they can charge a higher premium).


B7FANB7FAN - 3/19/2009 4:24:44 PM
0 Boost
I agree 100% they will need years of work on that 250 in order to steal the 3 series thunder


JagDealer28JagDealer28 - 3/18/2009 12:49:38 PM
+3 Boost
I drove the IS250 for a month, nice car. The drop top will generate more sales, but as far as stealing the competition, only time will tell


Agent009Agent009 - 3/18/2009 12:57:47 PM
+1 Boost
I think it will sell, but they are ignoring the fact the BMW cabrio is significantly faster 0-60 (+/- 2 seconds). BMW caters to a more performance oriented market and here the only thing faster than a BMW may the the speed the top rises and falls.


HSCenterconsoleHSCenterconsole - 3/18/2009 1:11:47 PM
+6 Boost
009, I respectfully disagree. BMW is a far more performance orientated brand than Lexus, but I would say most 3-Series convertibles (from what I've seen) are driven primarily by women. It is a summer car for the wife.


LexusKindaGuy12LexusKindaGuy12 - 3/18/2009 4:13:22 PM
+3 Boost
then its a good thing the IS350c is coming too


BarackBushBarackBush - 3/19/2009 2:03:33 AM
+2 Boost
IS looks better than the 3. It might not drive as sporty but the interior surely is better.

Nothing steals 3 sales. People want a 3 series like they want bottled water.


WillisWillis - 3/18/2009 1:27:18 PM
+1 Boost
The car will most likely sell well but as many here have commented, it will definitely not appeal to the enthusiast. The looks are too bland and the IS250 engine isn't anything special either.

Many customers will be wealthy females, young and old alike, as is usually the case in this class.


DocMartenDocMarten - 3/18/2009 5:05:16 PM
-3 Boost
Spot on assessment. I think that the IS Convertible is ugly as sin, but not everyone wants a BMW, that is why Lexus is the #1 selling luxury brand in the U.S. They are the anti-BMW and people buy them.


LexusKindaGuy12LexusKindaGuy12 - 3/18/2009 4:14:05 PM
-1 Boost
are people not getting that this article is focusing on the IS250C but the IS350C will also be available?


HSCenterconsoleHSCenterconsole - 3/18/2009 4:33:05 PM
+1 Boost
The IS350C does solve some of the problems of the lethargic IS250C, but it still has that ungainly rear. Plus, I would guess the IS350C would only be available with an automatic like the sedan. Unless you save a substantial amount of cash, why would anyone buy an IS350C over a 335i convertible?


DocMartenDocMarten - 3/18/2009 5:07:13 PM
-1 Boost
Lots of reasons, but mainly because you don't care about handling or driving enthusiasm. BMW convertibles are cheerleader cars, just like this Lexus will be.


Auto_expertAuto_expert - 3/18/2009 4:41:02 PM
+2 Boost
Everytime a new IS or Infiniti G comes out all we hear about it's going to steal the 3-series thunder and kill their sales.....yet, it never ever happens.

IMO, the first gen IS had was more interesting and had more personality inside and out compared to the current gen.

It's funny we get these comparisons, because I don't know anybody who cross-shops Lexus with BMW. They cater to two different types of customers.

Lexus should worry about the Hyundai and their new models. These are the guys who will steal their thunder, not BMW, Audi, or M-B.


AnthonyAnthony - 3/19/2009 2:36:15 AM
+2 Boost
You are wrong.

Like it or not, this car will be cross-shopped with the BMW 3-Series convertible, the Mercedes CLK(E-Coupe), and the Audi A4 Cabrio, not any Hyundai model.


STJ88STJ88 - 3/18/2009 5:01:44 PM
-4 Boost
I am a big fan of Lexus but the IS-C looks like crap. The only car that is gonna steal real numbers from the 3-serie is the G37!


answeranswer - 3/18/2009 5:44:04 PM
0 Boost
I've always been a fan of Lexus, but this is sad.

It's not a crappy car, but compare it to the upcoming Infiniti convertible, and it shows what it truly is:

a completely half-assed attempt.

Their resources should have put into making a new SC.


theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 3/18/2009 6:38:45 PM
0 Boost
Spot on. I think that would have been a better move. I am one of the people that like the SC430 on the site(probably one of the few that have driven it). I new SC would be a much better halo car the fictional LF-A.


Ricks2DogsRicks2Dogs - 3/18/2009 6:45:07 PM
+2 Boost
How about the IS FC...that would be quite satisfying!!


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 3/18/2009 7:36:34 PM
+2 Boost
too bad it'll be a dog to drive. the IS250 sedan is underpowered, this heavy convertible will make the sedan look like a racecar.

not a rival to the 3-series convertible.




rumnycrumnyc - 3/18/2009 9:36:01 PM
+1 Boost
fugly and slow...


jt716jt716 - 3/18/2009 9:58:12 PM
+1 Boost
Its not too bad way better than the SC, Lexus has had some elegance to it, and I would buy it for my wife because its very feminine


AnthonyAnthony - 3/19/2009 2:40:33 AM
+2 Boost
I do not understand the criticisms of this car. It is literally an IS sedan in convertible form. Keep in mind the IS came in second in a Car and Driver test when it initially came out. Lexus is always extremely slow when it comes to updating product lines and keeping things fresh though. Despite that, this car will be filling a hole that Lexus has had in their line-up for a while. This sets the stage for what I am personally dying to see: an IS-F Coupe/Convertible.


BabyBaby - 3/19/2009 1:08:44 PM
+1 Boost
I think of this as kind of a tester for Lexus. The current IS design is on its way out so why not play around with it a little, expand to more of a market share, and learn along the way. Lexus is getting ready to expand their lineup again with some new models and we can expect to see coupes, convertibles, an expanded F line, and some really high end lux; and of course hopefully the LFA.


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