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Sporty Lexus oozes eye candy

Lexus has undergone a welcome metamorphosis in recent times, binning its ho-hum looks for a much more youthful and sportier image – a design message clearly broadcast by the Japanese luxury carmaker's new IS 350 F Sport sedan.

Gone are the old boxed-shaped bodies of old and in strides the F Sport with its low, attack-mode crouch, gaping air intakes, bold black grille, slit-eyed day-time running lights, sloping lined hood and fat 18-inch alloys wrapped in low-profile rubber.

Sporty Lexus oozes eye candy

The living quarters have also been elegantly smartened up with a striking red-stitched leather steering wheel, more red stitching on the central panel, race track-like wrap-around front seats, re-designed instrument panel and a bigger, much clearer display screen which provides easy access to a range of functions.

Eco, normal, sport

A feature destined to become a driver-pleaser is a knob on the centre console with which the driver can select between three driving modes – eco, normal and sport.

Sporty Lexus oozes eye candy

Left in frugal Eco mode the sleek Lexus purrs along quietly. One click to Normal speed things up a bit but another click, this time into Sport mode, the IS 350 becomes quite enthusiastic. In this enthusiastic mode, the 8-speed cog-swopping process happens rapidly and the suspension set-up tightens when the 3.5-litre V6 flexes its 233kW/378Nm of muscle-power.

The Lexus feels pleasantly lively in this mode although I wonder how much sharper it would be if the six-cylinder engine with its delightful growl, is turbo-boosted. It would certainly make the F Sport much more competitive against opponents such as the BMW 340i and Volvo S60 Polestar which are both quicker off the mark.

Sporty Lexus oozes eye candy

But then the Lexus has an ace up its sleeve – it is less expensive than both of these and, in this segment, price is a key factor.

The F Sport serves up a comfortable, spacious travel environment and the ride quality is creamy smooth. Factor in a sporty flip-side and zesty looks and it becomes an attractive alternative to the German badges so much favoured by status conscious South Africans.
The Lexus IS 350 is priced at R728,800 that includes a four-year/100,000 Service plan.

About Henrie Geyser

Henrie Geyser joined the online publishing industry through iafrica.com, where he worked for five years as news editor and editor. He now freelances for a variety of print and online publications, on the subjects of cars, food, and travel, among others; and is a member of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists. moc.acirfai@geirneh
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