Lexus IS 250 Sports Concept with Performance Upgrades Debuts in Sydney

As well as introducing the revised 2009 IS line-up and the all-new IS 250C Convertible, Lexus also previewed a sports-inspired IS 250 at the 2008 Australian International Motor Show that could enter production shortly. Based on the 2008 IS 250, the Sports Concept features a number of mechanical and visual enhancements including brakes, shock absorbers, sway bars, chassis braces, air intake, clutch, short shift kit, exhaust, 19-inch wheels, engine cover and spoilers. -Continued

More specifically, Lexus improved the IS 250's stopping power with a braking package that features six-piston callipers at the front and four-piston at rear as well as larger cross-drilled, two-piece brake rotors at front and rear. Suspension upgrades include the addition of Bilstein shock absorbers and springs while Body roll and chassis flex is further reduced with the adoption of sway bars and a chassis brace.

Under the bonnet, the IS 250 Sport Concept receives a performance air intake, which according to Lexus, results in a three per cent power increase while a stainless steel "cat-back" exhaust system deliver a further increase of 1.5 per cent meaning that the 2.5-liter V6 engine should produce about 213HP.

The manual gearbox receives a short shift kit, resulting in a 35 per cent reduction in fore and aft gearshift movement while a performance clutch delivers a 16 per cent increase in clamping force. Finally, the Sport Concept features a carbon-fibre engine cover, front and rear lip spoilers and lightweight graphite grey, 10-spoke, 19-inch forged aluminium wheels.

Lexus chief executive John Roca said the performance accessories fitted to IS 250 Sports Concept were currently under consideration for Australia. "The introduction of the IS 250 Sports Concept is still in preliminary stages but it's something we definitely want to investigate," Mr Roca said.

"The addition of the performance enhancements to the IS range would assist in attracting younger buyers to the Lexus brand - and give Lexus a vehicle that aspiring IS F customers could step into. In the meantime, Lexus will concentrate on introducing the IS F performance sedan to the local market. Once we get the hero car into the marketplace, the rest will fall into place," he added.