New 2009 Lexus IS range with reduced emissions

It’s reasonable to expect that when you are given more, you will have to pay more. But that logic simply does not apply where the new 2009 Lexus IS is concerned. Lexus has given its stylish sports saloon sharper looks inside and out, added extra equipment features and made detail adjustments to provide even better handling, while at the same time cutting prices – by more than £1,000 on some models.

Lower emissions, lower running costs for new IS 220d
Carbon dioxide emissions from the 175bhp (177 DIN hp) 2.2-litre diesel engine in the IS 220d have been reduced from 168 to 163g/km, moving the model down a band for Vehicle Excise Duty (E to D). This saves £25 pounds on a year’s road fund licence and also reduces the Benefit in Kind (BIK) rate for company car tax calculation to 23 per cent.

Emissions from the 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine in the IS 250 are unchanged at 231g/km (manual) and 214g/km (automatic).

New grade structure, higher specifications
Lexus introduces a new three-grade structure for the 2009 IS range: SE, SE-I and SE-L, with enhanced specifications across the board.

The most notable upgrade is the provision of Lexus’s advanced handling and safety system Vehicle Integrated Dynamics Management (VDIM) as standard on all models. VDIM co-ordinates the operation of the car’s ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Traction Control (TRC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with the Electric Power Steering (EPS), providing smooth, optimum assistance as the car reaches its performance limits.

For the top-of-the range IS 250 (now available exclusively with automatic transmission) and 220d SE-L models, 18-inch alloy wheels become a standard feature. These and the 17-inch rims featured on the SE-I versions both have a new design.

Improved driving dynamics
The IS’s excellent combination of sporty, dynamic performance with a comfortable ride and secure handling has been strengthened with detail adjustments to the anti-roll bar, suspension and EPS.

A paddle shift function is newly available on “D” mode in the six-speed automatic transmission.

New 2009 Lexus IS prices vs current IS prices