test drive freebie (Lexus IS200 S)

Member Name: blackhawk

Product:	Lexus IS200 S
Date:	21/02/01 (232 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cost for features

Disadvantages: a what?

After my recent embarrassment inconsistently stalling the Rover 25 travelling the less than hilly streets of Croydon (see post), I thought I'd try soemthing a little more fun for a 24hour test drive. My local Lexus dealer (recently sandwiched off the Brighton road to a little corner by Fiveways Junction behind a health club...) thought I’d better try the 4-gear automatic. Dutifully I appeared at his immaculate show room and was conducted to a gleaming royal sapphire-coloured model of this beautiful car. “I’ve warmed it up for you,” said the dealer (Richard), who clearly did not want me to embarrass anyone by stalling an automatic. And as if he had known that I’d recently watched the film ‘Apollo 13,’ he continued with a sort of flight check. “There’s cruise control there and this is climate control,” he offered. “I’m afraid there’s no satellite navigation system on this one.”

Damn! How will I be able to find the moon landing strip at the end of the flight? Steady… That’s the trouble with the Lexus. You find yourself turning into a sort of Walter Mitty creature in front of the gleaming dials as you sink into the beautifully upholstered driver’s seat which can be electrically adjusted for perfect comfort. During the pre-flight…Sorry…pre-drive checks, the position of the steering wheel can be adjusted as can the rear view and wing mirrors. And then....

Happily, Lexus explains that much of the technology is taken from the larger models which have automatic transmission as a matter of course. There is an intelligent Electronically Controlled Transmission system (ECTi) which tells the engine to reduce torque as it shifts gear, giving an almost seamless gear change. It also has the ability to sense when the car is on an uphill gradient or braking going downhill. In either case it will hold a lower gear reducing the tendency of many automa
tics to change gear when you would rather they did not.

I tested this on the motorway to Pulborough, West Sussex, so no narrow or steep roads there, but all worked perfectly nevertheless, providing absolute control. With this control comes what Lexus calls Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVTi) which maximises the engine’s torque at the speed you need it, then re-adjusts it to minimise fuel consumption when you ease off.

Urban fuel consumption is about 20.8 mpg, extra urban about 36.7 and combined about 28.8 mpg. This 2.0 litre, 6-cylinder car is economical by any standard and with a maximum speed of 127 mph (untested by me) and acceleration of 0-62 mph in 11.2 seconds (ditto), those looking for a sports saloon of distinctive silhouette need look no further. At £20,375 plus £375 to put on the road for the automatic and £19,000 plus £375 for the manual, the Lexus offers great value for money.

Summary: