New Lexus IS-New level of refinement in ths class?

The next generation IS is the latest expression of the Lexus marque in the areas of design performance and refinement. The numerous NVH reduction measures reward the new Lexus IS with a particularly quiet cabin environment to the extent that the IS diesel is superior in this regard to many petrol-fuelled powerplants.

“The new IS will put it up to the long-established segment leaders. Its smooth flowing lines give a clue as to how different a driving experience it will provide. It will bring the refinement associated with bigger luxury cars in this class, and will, we believe, be quite a contrast to the vehicles already in the market” Donal Faherty, Lexus Manager, Tom Hogan Lexus Galway comments.

Full article here

BobW - 10/29/2005 11:10:51 AM

+1 Boost

I have no idea what you're talking about! You're rants are impossible to follow and you have serious anger issues that need dealing with before you appear in polite society. If you are in love with German brands, so be it, but give the unreasonable hatred of all things Japanese (especially Toyoto/Lexus) a rest.
Question: What brands of TV, stereo equipment, camera, watch, etc. do you own? Japanese I would bet (who doesn't?). First they copied and sold for less, but after a learning curve of some decades they became innovators and now produce the best of what's available the respective markets; if there are any US or Euro producers of like products, they follow the leaders.
Don't think it can't happen in the car world as well. Right now, without question, the best normal production cars in the world, by every acceptable measure, are Japanese products. That's happened since WWII, so 60 years. Since it took several years to get started and they have stood at the pinnacle for at least a decade, it took something like, what, 35-40 years to go from bottom to top.
The Japanese entered the premium market in MY1985 with the Legend followed by Nissan and Toyota a few years later, so for 20 years the Japenese have been producing cars to compete with the best production cars available, and are now demonstrably the best in certain areas (fit and finish, reliability, features) and are improving in areas of design, performance, innovation. I wonder how long it will take for the Japanese to reach all their goals in the premium auto sector that they have reached in regular production cars, electronics, etc.?
The European cars have gotten better and become more price competitive for one reason, the Japanese competition, this is the golden age of automobiles because of the variety and quality of all cars. I believe there will always be room for Japanese and European cars in the market, but without question as long as the Euro's stay at the bottom of the reliability scale, the Japanese will continue to erode market share from them.
Your overt hatred of Japanese cars is simply an advanced state of denial. Wake up brother, smell the coffee, take some english grammar lessons and get a dictionary to check all your spelling.
Regards,
BW

S550Range - 10/29/2005 11:11:10 AM

+1 Boost

This IS is probably the best designed and definitly the best built car in it's class. I owned an '01 LS430 and an '02 745LI at the same time. The BMW was undeniably the better driving car, but the Lexus was the all around winner. I liked the BMW better, but if the Lexus had better brakes that didn't fade...

I have not driven the new Lexus IS, but I know that the total package is the "New level of refinement in ths class" hands down.

pnsb24a - 10/30/2005 6:55:50 PM

+1 Boost

If you really want a car that performs, and doesn't granny you out, it is the M45 sport.

TheDonII - 10/31/2005 1:42:01 PM

+1 Boost

All you nay sayers out there..please read what the Brits have to say about the IS.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/previews/61412/lexus_is250_se.html