New Lexus IS: In Depth

Press Release

TRANSMISSIONS

Both diesel and petrol engined versions of the new Lexus IS are mated to a compact, accurate, 6-speed manual transmission featuring multi cone synchronisers to reduce shift effort, slide ball bearings in the gear lever shaft and fork shaft to improve shift efficiency, a triple synchro mechanism from 1st to 3rd gears to enhance shift feel, and a shift guide plate to decrease post-shift transmission play.

The IS 220d features a quiet, durable driveline adopted from the Lexus LS 430 and further enhanced by a liquid-filled differential mount for improved vibration damping. Models equipped with 18" wheels (standard in Sport specification and optional in the Luxury grade) feature a shorter differential gear ratio which improves in-gear acceleration by an average of 30%.

As well as the standard 6-speed manual transmission, the ultra-smooth Lexus V6 may be mated to a new 6-speed automatic transmission featuring sequential, paddle-shift control. Activated by simply selecting ‘S’ in the gear lever gate, the gear shift paddles are mounted directly on the steering wheel, eliminating the need to modify steering wheel grip, even when cornering. In addition, gear range selection can also be performed through the conventional gear lever. Providing a faster downshift than fully automatic mode, the sequential mode allows for greater driver involvement, allowing exploitation of the new Lexus’ dynamic abilities to the full.

This transmission adopts 3 planetary gear units, 4 clutches and 4 one-way clutches. A new clutch-to-clutch shift control is adopted between 5th and 6th gears, eliminating the one-way clutch between them to both save weight and facilitate a more compact design. An Artificial Intelligence (AI-SHIFT) control automatically changes the gear shifting schedule according to road conditions and driving style.

While an enhanced lock-up timing control can improve fuel consumption in 5th and 6th gears, an automatic transmission fluid warmer further benefits fuel economy during cold starts.

SAFETY

• Unique Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system (VDIM)

• Pre-Crash Safety system (PCS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

• Intelligent Adaptive Front Lighting (I-AFS) with 4 bulb high beam lamp design

• Comprehensive passive safety systems featuring driver and passenger knee airbags and world’s first twin-chamber passenger airbag

• Tested according to Lexus’ stringent car-to­car compatibility and roll-over standards

• Next generation Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) front seats

ACTIVE SAFETY

Pre-Crash Safety (PCS)

The next generation IS 250 offers a sophisticated Pre-Crash Safety system (PCS) that can help reduce collision damage and injury. The PCS system features a millimetre-wave radar sensor, operating within a 20 degree scanning amplitude to detect obstacles in front of the car to a range of 150 m, even during cornering. Via numerous sensors, the Pre-Crash system computer monitors vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw rate inputs to help determine in advance whether an impending collision is unavoidable. In such an eventuality, the system pre-emptively activates the Pre-Crash seatbelt pretensioners, retracting all slack from the front belts, and simultaneously adjusts the Emergency Brake Assist system to provide maximum braking force once the brake pedal is depressed. In addition, at vehicle speeds in excess of 15 km/h, PCS will also activate in case of severe under and oversteer, or during emergency braking.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Complementary to the PCS system, the new IS 250 also features an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system. The system offers two modes: constant speed control, and vehicle-to-vehicle distance control. The constant speed control functions in the manner of a conventional cruise control system. Capable of differentiating between vehicles directly ahead of the Lexus and those in an adjacent lane, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control system employs the PCS millimetre-wave radar sensor, allied to constant speed, decelerator, follow-up and accelerator controls, to automatically slow the IS, match the speed of the vehicle in front and, once the road is clear ahead, accelerate to the previously selected cruising speed.

Via a steering wheel mounted switch, the driver can select long, middle or short vehicle-to-vehicle distances. The system control settings are indicated on the IS’s Multi-Information Display.

Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM)

The new IS 220d features Lexus’ unique, state-of-the-art Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system to enhance performance, traction control and vehicle stability. With comprehensive status data provided by sensors throughout the vehicle, VDIM integrates the IS’s Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Traction Control (TRC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) active safety systems with the Electric Power Steering (EPS).

By the application of integrated control of all the elements related to vehicle movement, including engine torque, brakes and steering, VDIM not only optimises the activation of braking, stability and traction control systems, but is also able to further improve the overall kinetic performance of the vehicle.

Moreover, whereas conventional active safety systems are only activated immediately after a limit of the vehicle’s dynamic envelope has been reached, VDIM activates control before that limit is realised. As a result, the limits of the vehicle’s dynamic threshold have been expanded, whilst offering smoother vehicle behaviour at this threshold through less obtrusive

intervention and, hence, a more pleasurable drive.

When braking in a corner, for example, a loss of rear tyre grip may result in oversteer. Through the Electronic Brake-force Distribution function, the use of linear brake actuators makes it possible to begin control before the vehicle’s limit has been reached. The VDIM system apportions the appropriate braking force to each wheel, ensuring continued vehicle stability by pre-emptively restraining the spinning tendency, whilst contributing to superior braking performance.

Under even stronger braking in a corner, front wheel lock-up and loss of grip may result in understeer. By once again independently controlling the braking force to all four wheels via the EBD system, VDIM helps to prevent front wheel lock-up and regain vehicle balance, offering seamless control.

Moreover, via the EPS actuator, VDIM will augment Vehicle Stability Control operation by providing steering assistance to reduce torque steer under braking on surfaces of varying grip, as well as introducing steering torque assistance in both understeer and oversteer conditions, helping the driver to optimise the front wheel steering angle and maintain vehicle stability with minimum input.

Intelligent Adaptive Front-lighting (I-AFS)

The new IS is fitted with Lexus’ Intelligent Adaptive Front-lighting System (I-AFS), which swivels one projector (covering both high and low beam functions) of the xenon headlamps through up to 15 degrees, helping to illuminate a bend as the driver steers into it. The new, bi-xenon headlights now incorporate four high-beam bulbs, widening the high beam illumination pattern from mid to long range. And an electro-mechanical shutter provides the sharpest possible upper pattern cut-off to low beam illumination.

PASSIVE SAFETY

Body Structure

Reflecting stringent car-to-car impact compatibility standards unique to the Lexus marque, the highly rigid bodyshell of the next generation IS range features numerous structural reinforcements to enhance its collision performance.

A new, octagonal section, front side member crash-box improves energy absorption within a shorter front overhang construction. The inner door reinforcements have been strengthened, and the gap between the inner door panel and the ‘B’ pillar reduced. This more effectively communicates the impact load to the door belt line reinforcement, reducing the load to the pillar in the event of an offset frontal collision.

Delivering improved side impact protection, the ‘B’ pillar itself has been reinforced, whilst the use of high tensile steel for both the bulkhead inside the rocker and the cross-member reinforcement further optimises structural stiffness. The integration of enlarged roof reinforcement with the front pillar reinforcement rear-end joint and the rear pillar reinforcement front-end point helps reduce roof rail cabin intrusion in the event of a side impact. Furthermore, passenger seat-base rod

reinforcement effectively disperses side impact energy throughout various adjacent body areas such as the floor tunnel upper bracket, reducing vehicle body deformation in the immediate proximity of the seats.

Internal tests suggest the new IS 220d / 250 has the potential to achieve 5 stars in the Euro NCAP adult occupant rating.

Car-To-Car Compatibility And Roll-Over Tests

The IS 220d / 250 is the first Lexus to be developed according to the company’s own, more stringent, car-to-car compatibility crash-test standards. Previously enacted at 50 km/h, these tests now comprise a 55 km/h frontal collision involving a 2-ton vehicle (50% overlap impact, both vehicles moving at the same speed), a 55 km/h side impact from a 2-ton vehicle, and a rea r, 50% overlap crash, again involving a similar vehicle. The 5 km/h speed increase represents an additional 20% impact energy. In addition, the new model has also undergone rigorous roll-over testing.

This stringent test programme ensures the new Lexus IS’s class-leading passive safety technology affords optimum passenger protection in the most comprehensive diversity of real-world situations.

Airbags

Driver and passenger knee airbags make a first appearance in this segment. New, enlarged, front seat side SRS Torso Abdomen Pelvis (TAP) airbags are 30% bigger than previous designs, and curtain airbags run the full length of the interior. Of the two dual-stage Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) front airbags, the passenger airbag is of a twinchamber design making its world debut in the new Lexus.

The SRS twin chamber airbag features an advanced shape based on the Lexus Omni-Support concept. Once inflated, the twin chambers create a depression in the centre of the airbag, effectively cradling areas of the face such as the nose and mouth, whilst allowing the physical impact of the bag to be dispersed across numerous other, head and shoulder, body contact points.

Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) Seats

Allied to seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters to both front and rear outer seats, and a rear seatbelt guide to provide better comfort and belt fit for children, the new Lexus IS also features the second generation Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) seat concept. The revised system features a new seat back structure and headrest design. The new headrest is designed to sit as close as possible to the passenger’s head during normal use, whilst, in the event of a rear impact, the lower seat back pushes backwards, effectively closing the gap between occupant head and headrest, and significantly reducing the risk of whiplash through excessive head movement.

INTERIOR REFINEMENT & TECHNOLOGY

• 3rd generation Smart Keyless Entry System with programmable Smart Key

• Unique, Optitron instrument binnacle with progressive illumination technology

• Dual-zone air-conditioning system with exterior NOx sensor (IS 250) and 97% efficient pollen filter

• New Lexus Navigation System is equipped with voice activation commands for navigation, audio, air-conditioning and phone

• Mark Levinson®

• Surround System with ‘discrete’ 5.1 surround sound for home theatre DVD entertainment

• Featuring the advanced Lexus Parking Assist Monitor for the first time in the segment

The class-leading range of bespoke standard equipment available to Lexus IS owners may be further supplemented by numerous, ground-breaking, high technology options, including Europe’s most advanced navigation system, and a unique Mark Levinson^® Surround System, for the on-board reproduction of “discrete” 5.1 home theatre DVD entertainment.

The new luxury sedan offers a choice of three equipment specification grades: Standard, Sport and Luxury. Even the entry level Lexus IS boasts a comprehensive standard equipment package, including the following:

STANDARD SPECIFICATION

• Dual knee, front, side and curtain shield airbags

• ABS with EBD, BAS, TRC and VSC

• Smart Keyless Entry System

• Remote central locking with alarm and double lock

• Windscreen de-icing

• 16" alloy wheels

• Cruise control

• LED interior lighting

• Optitron instrument lighting

• Multi-Information Display

• 13 speaker audio system with 6-CD autochanger and auxiliary plug for external audio devices

• Electrically-retractable exterior mirrors

• Steering wheel controls for audio, Multi-Information Display and others

• Electronic Climate Control with dual-zone temperature regulation and pollen removal mode

• Tinted side and rear glazing with UV-reduction properties

LUXURY SPECIFICATION

• To the extensive entry level specification, the IS Luxury package adds:

• Bi-xenon I-AFS headlamps (on low and high beam modes)

• Electrochromatic interior and door mirrors

• Automatic Headlight Control System (auto-on function)

• Rain sensing wipers

• 17" alloy wheels

• Lexus Parking Assist Sensors (front and rear parking sonar)

• Full, semi-aniline leather, power adjusted, heated and ventilated front seats

• Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustments

• Rear armrest with storage box

• Bird’s Eye Maple wood trim

• Power operated rear sunshade

• Illuminated front door scuff plates and front passenger footwell

• 3-memory function for front seats, steering wheel and exterior mirrors position

SPORT SPECIFICATION

• To the Standard IS specification, the Sport package adds:

• Bi-xenon I-AFS headlamps (on low and high beam modes)

• Electrochromatic interior and door mirrors

• Rain sensing wipers

• Automatic Headlight Control System (auto-on function)

• 18" alloy wheels

• Sports suspension (IS 250)

• Shorter differential gear ratio (IS 220d)

• Lexus Parking Assist Sensors (front and rear parking sonars)

• Sports fabric, power adjusted, heated front seats

• Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustments

• Rear armrest with storage box

• Metal-style interior trim, door scuff plates and pedals

SMART KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM

The 3rd generation Smart Keyless Entry System is fitted as standard across the new IS range, allowing for the deletion of a key slot from the dashboard. The system allows the driver to leave the new, lighter, more compact Smart Key in a pocket throughout any drive. When the Smart Key comes within 0.7-1 metres of the locked door, the key communicates with a transmitter built into the door handle and matches ID codes, whereupon a touch of the handle either unlocks or locks the door. The key also automatically activates the IS’s sequential entry illumination, first switching on the door mirror puddle lights, followed by the cabin interior dome lighting. On board, the Smart Key ID is again automatically recognised, and the engine may be switched on via a push-start button without further use of the key. Each IS is provided with two Smart Keys for different drivers. These may be programmed to store the preferred settings of each driver, such as electrically adjustable seat and steering wheel positioning. The system’s ECU may also be programmed to unlock one, two or all four doors via one press of the Smart Key. The new IS may not be locked if the Smart Key is detected within the cabin or boot, and a warning message is posted on the Multi-Information Display when the Smart Key battery runs low.

ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL

Employing a variable-displacement compressor for optimum quietness and efficiency, the next generation IS’s electronic climate control offers independent left and right temperature adjustment, as well as automatic control of upper and lower cabin air zones, humidity sensor and automatic cool air bypass control.

The air intake is isolated from the engine compartment to reduce engine noise intrusion, and an automatic recirculation mode (on IS 250 only), linked to NOx detection, prevents the ingress of exhaust gases into the cabin. Furthermore, a switchable, face-vent pollen removal filter operates with an efficiency of 97%, minimising the infiltration of airborne allergens to the cabin.

OPTITRON INSTRUMENTS

The sculpted driver’s instrument binnacle features the precision and depth of white, backlit, second generation Optitron technology. Rev counter and speedometer needles feature a progressive illumination system, activating with a full-dial sweep, and are backed by secondary amber sweep rings indicating manual settings for speed limiter as well as optimum gear shift revs, respectively. A red ring will light up in the tachometer if the engine speed reaches the rev limit.

PREMIUM HI-FI

In keeping with legendary standards already established by Lexus in the field of in-car high fidelity, the standard IS sound system features a magazine-less, 6-disc, in-dash CD changer and steering wheel mounted audio control switches fitted as standard. The stereo speaker system utilises 13 individual speakers, including a slim subwoofer mounted in the parcel tray. Every door houses a 3-way speaker configuration featuring a tweeter, woofer and mid-range unit for clear, full-range sound throughout the interior.

The CD system is equipped to play MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) music files, and includes a mini-jack socket to enable a portable music player to be plugged directly into the car stereo system.

LEXUS MULTIMEDIA AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM

The Lexus Multimedia and Navigation System features a unique, Mark Levinson® Premium Surround Sound System, the new Lexus Navigation System and, in addition, the Lexus Parking Assist Monitor.

For those wanting best-in-segment on-board infotainment, a new Mark Levinson® Surround System, unique to the new Lexus IS, features a 10 channel, 300-Watt RMS (Root Mean Square) amplifier and 14 loudspeakers, including the company ’s first use of a 200 mm inverted subwoofer. It utilises Mark Levinson® Surround (MLS) audio software and an all digital signal path to reproduce “discrete” 5.1 sound, via a surround sound 7.1 channel speaker topology, from both stereo CD and DVD source material. Tailored specifically to the acoustic properties of the new Lexus IS cabin, the latest Mark Levinson® Surround System is the result of 3 years research and development.

The 300-Watt RMS amplifier covers a frequency range of 20-20 kHz, with less than 0.1% Total harmonic Distortion (THD). It is fully media-compatible with CD, CD-R, DTS 5.1, DVD video, as well as MP3 and WMA music files recorded either on a CD or DVD. Format compatibility includes 2 channel stereo (analogue and PCM), 2 channel Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1, and DTS 5.1 (from DTS 5.1 CD, DVD video and DVD audio discs).

Key to the new Mark Levinson® Surround System are the 14 loudspeakers, each one custom engineered for the particular acoustic characteristics and location within the new Lexus IS cabin. The system comprises for 25 mm tweeters, five 65 mm midrange units, two 100 mm midrange units, two 160 mm woofers and one 200 mm subwoofer.

The sonic benefits of the new, 14 speaker system include lower distortion, higher resolution, natural dynamics through greater sound pressure levels and an extended frequency response for harmonic richness and musicality. Via the system ’s bespoke, 7.1 channel surround sound speaker architecture, separate side and surround channels provide a greater sense of listening envelopment and depth for both front and rear seat passengers.

Installed in conjunction with the Electro Multi Vision’s 7", full colour, LCD centre console display screen, the Mark Levinson® Premium Surround System introduces Lexus IS owners to a complete, discrete 5.1 home theatre entertainment experience optimised for the playback of music, music videos and DVD films within the luxurious environment of the new IS interior.

The new IS is the first model to receive the marque’s next generation Lexus Navigation System. Employing a DVD disc to store map information of the entire Western Europe, the new system’s speed of calculation has increased by an impressive 65%, whilst the graphic draw performance is also three times faster.

Thanks to an increase in system hardware power, the new Electro Multi Vision’s 7", full colour display has now evolved from EGA to VGA (800 x 480 pixels) and replaces the previous system ’s 256 colour range with a remarkable 32,000 colours.

The new system is equipped with 3-language voice activation (English, French and German), and voice guidance is available in 10 languages (Norwegian and Portuguese have been newly added). The system is one of the few on the market to combine the advantages of both touchscreen and voice activation to control several functions of the navigation system, audio, air

conditioning and phone. A Help function has been incorporated, allowing the user to receive further instructions, as well as a route tracing feature and lane guidance in major European cities

(Berlin, Birmingham, Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, Glasgow, London, Manchester and Munich). Dynamic Route Guidance is also featured.

A BluetoothTM phone, hands-free system is also integrated into the new Lexus Multimedia and Navigation System. It enables the user to make and receive hands-free mobile phone calls by operating the touch-sensitive LCD screen, through voice command or the steering pad switches. Moreover, the system can store up to 1,000 contact numbers from a mobile phone.

Available for the first time in this segment, the Lexus Parking Assist Monitor features a video camera mounted in the rear number plate surround that projects a full colour rear view of the surroundings onto the centre console display screen. Even greater manoeuvring accuracy is promoted by screengenerated guidelines which indicate the prospective path of the vehicle based on the current steering position, both for serial or parallel parking.

ADDITIONAL LUXURY FEATURES

The full leather, 3-memory, 8-way electrically adjustable front seats fitted as standard to IS Luxury specification models are equipped with lumbar support adjustment, as well as heating and ventilation. In ventilation mode, two fans draw air silently through the perforated seat-back and cushion to improve passenger comfort during long journeys. A 3-memory system for seat, exterior mirrors and steering wheel adjustments further complements these features.

The Luxury grade IS also features an electric rear sunshade which automatically retracts whenever reverse gear is engaged. With a forward gear selected, the shade automatically re-deploys as soon as the vehicle reaches 15 km/h.

In Sport and Luxury grade IS models, both the interior rear-view mirror and door mirrors include an electrochromatic anti-glare system, the door mirrors automatically tilting downwards when reverse gear is engaged to improve kerb visibility when parking.

The Sport and Luxury grade IS range is also fitted with the Lexus Parking Assist Sensors, which combine information from both front and rear mounted sonars to warn of object proximity during low speed and parking manoeuvres. The system indicates the position and proximity of any detected obstacles both on the Multi-Information Display screen and via a firstly intermittent, then continuous, buzzer.

The new Lexus IS optional sunroof features a unique sunroof operating system which combines one-touch full opening and closing with rotary knob control offering 10 intermediate positions.