Lexus IS250C – First Steer
July 28, 2009 by Alborz Fallah
2009 Lexus IS250C – First Steer
When I mention the words Lexus and convertible, most will no doubt think of the Lexus SC, a car that failed to gain momentum in the segment, but now the Japanese luxury manufacturer has come out with an all-new one, the IS250C.
By Alborz Fallah
I say an all-new car because although it’s based on the IS250 sedan, as far as looks go it only shares the bonnet, headlamps, doorhandles and wing mirrors with its sedan sibling, everything else has been redesigned or re-engineered.
The man responsible for the engineering behind IS250C is Keiichi Yoneda, the same man who was in charge of the chassis of the last generation Toyota Supra and the carbon fibre body of Lexus’ current to-be supercar, the LF-A.
His involvement in the car’s development is obvious, not only does the IS250C feel like a sedan with the roof on or off, but it also handles like one. That’s largely due to the significant body strengthening that has happened underneath.
There are seven under-floor bracing elements and without going into too much detail they ensure the car feels as solid as any convertible I’ve driven under $250,000.
One thing Lexus hasn’t done, is simply take the IS250 and cut the roof off, everything has been redesigned to work with the convertible shape, for example the air-conditioning and audio systems have both been extensively adjusted to compensate for open-top motoring.
The Japanese giant even brought the car to Australia last year for more than 40,000km of gravel road testing in our climate.
One of the biggest concerns with convertibles is the roof and how reliable the operation will be a few years down the line. For many manufacturers the roof system is generally outsourced but for Lexus, it decided to build the entire system in-house. No doubt this is a good thing.
The roof uses 15 electric motors and 37 sensors in its operation and takes 20 seconds to open or close. Lexus has decided to use electric motors instead of the regular hydraulic ones for better reliability.
One reason I’ve always recommended Lexus over its German rivals is reliability and lower cost of servicing. Given the roof is also designed and engineered in Japan, it’s very likely it will outlast a hurricane.
With the entire car designed in-house, Lexus has had more freedom to produce a more solid convertible. With the roof stowed away, wind noise inside the cabin is hardly noticeable even at 110km/h and you can carry out a conversation without having to yell.
The design is a matter of taste, unfortunately photos fail to capture the car’s good looks, so it’s best to go and have a look at one in natural light as it looks very modern and expensive from all angles.
Lexus believes it will sell about 25 ISC250Cs per month (15 per cent of IS250 sales), a target that is very realistic even in the current economic climate.
Interestingly the target market is mainly those with no children, young professionals and empty-nesters. The company believes the IS250C will be a “long-term goal” vehicle and can even attract conquest sales from other luxury brands.
So lets get to it then, the IS250C goes up against a lot of European contenders, from the SAAB 9-3 to the Volvo C70 and, of course, the Germans. The Japanese convertible should be viewed as an upgrade from its Swedish rivals, but what about the Germans?
Lexus has always been a brand that has provided more value for less money. With the IS250C, that formula hasn’t changed. Lexus Australia wanted to bring in a luxury convertible with satellite navigation, leather trim, six airbags, a reversing camera, 17in alloys and eight-speaker sound for less than $80,000, and it has.
The model range starts at 79,990* for the Prestige, followed by the Sport at $84,990*, which adds 18-inch wheels, active (radar) cruise control and pre-collision system. Another $15,000 will get you the Sports Luxury, at $99,900*, which adds HID headlamps, Lexus smart-entry key-card, electro-chromatic side mirrors, unique interior trim options, 12-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and even cooling ducts are added to the seats!
If you’re after a Luxury convertible for under $100,000, it’s worth knowing that you simply can’t find a list of standard features that extensive for the same price with any of the German manufacturers.
One thing that you will find with the Germans though, is a variety of engine choices. Lexus will only power the IS250C with the 2.5-litre from the sedan variant.
The 60-degree V6 produces 153kW at 6400rpm and 252Nm at 4800rpm and uses 9.3 litres of fuel for each 100km, and produces 219 grams/kilometre of CO2.
All three IS250C variants will make use of a six-speed automatic transmission.
Our drive program up through Mount Tamborine and the Gold Coast area showcased the need for a little more power in the IS250C.
The IS250C weighs at about 150kg more than its sedan rival and given there is no power increase, acceleration is not as punchy as the sedan but it will still get you from 0-100km/h in nine seconds.
With the roof folded away, the engine note is actually, surprisingly, very masculine, there is a growl from the engine at about 4500rpm and all the way to about 6000rpm when the dashboard shift light has turned yellow and the transmission is about to change into a higher gear.
There is currently talk and rumours of an IS-FC but there are no confirmed plans, the US market gets the IS350C, but it would be unlikely either variant would come to Australia for some time.
On the inside, the IS250C is traditional Lexus, simple but everything is exactly where you want it to be. I managed to pair my phone with the car’s Bluetooth system and program the satellite navigation without having to resort to the manual.
There is enough room to sit four adults inside even with the roof on. There is no catch here, you can actually fit four adults comfortably and unless they are basketball players, it can even be for long journeys. Boot space is the second best in its class and even with the roof stowed away you can fit an overnight bag or two.
The Lexus IS250C is a great addition to the IS range which includes the IS250 and IS-F. The new Lexus is the most feature packed luxury convertible on the market today so it’s not surprising that there is currently a two month waiting list. So if you’re keen on one, make sure you get in early.
CarAdvice will bring you an extensive review of the car in the coming weeks.
Visit the next page for the Lexus IS250C Photo Gallery.
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A nice looking car, much better than that SC frog. Hopefully, just like the sedan – this thing can compete with the Audi/BMW and Merc.
How interesting, it actually looks good in photos. I saw it last year at the Melbourne motorshow and I wasn’t that moved. I might go have a look at one in the showroom, my A4 is starting to age and I need something new.
$80k for a 0-100 time of 9 seconds is laughable. A Saab 9-3 convertible with a 4 cylinder has the same specs. Still, i guess if you’re the type to be buying a convertible, the slower the better right?
Perhaps, but the 9-3 is so old now and also it’s front wheel drive, the lexus is a proper rear wheel drive. And you dont get half of what you get in the lexus with the Swedish cars – although u definitely get lots of reliability problems for no added cost.
i would probably still go for the 325 or 335 but it’s a good competitor if power isn’t your priority.
“There is currently talk and rumours of an IS350C..”
Um the IS350C isn’t a rumour, it is available now in the US.
http://www.lexus.com/models/IS.....mance.html
Alborz says:
“Our drive program up through Mount Tamborine and the Gold Coast area showcased the need for a little more power in the IS250C.”
Hey Alborz, Mount Tamborine is a suburb, the whole mountain area is known as Tamborine Mountain. Sorry to be nitpicky. BTW, noticed all the little yellow Lexus arrow signs in the area.
Thanks Jet, I meant to say rumours of IS-FC. Fixed.
the video says it doesn’t work. it says it’s set on private
YouTube automatically makes our videos private. Fixed now. Thanks for letting us know.
That’s exactly my point LHamilton.
The Saab is based on the ancient Vectra platform with an equaly ancient powertrain and it has the same performance figures. If Lexus can’t top that with a 2.5L V6 in 2009 there would be no way this car would make my shortlist.
I’d take a 125/135 over this any day of the week.
I will go with a 3 series convertible, better chassis, better engines, better roof and in my eyes better styling. In short, the 3 series is a better car in every aspect.
My biggest gripe with it is the long and tall boot, it may give it more boot space, but it really ruins the shape and overall silhouette of the car, especially when viewed from the side. On this respect, BMW does it a lot better with the 3 convertible looking like a 3 coupe when the roof is up, with a much more elegant and balanced look.
Alan totally agree. Back end is all wrong and unbalanced on this.
Hardly sporty is it,then I guess its for the oldies in Miami mostly.
Not going to have to worry about hitting gutters with that front spoiler a foot off the ground are you ?
Excellent strategy. Why should hairdressers be denied Lexus quality?
Sorry, I’ll take a 1 year old 335i convertible over this.
Gosh, it must be pretty heavy. I wouldn’t quite call 0-100 in nine seconds slow but BMW can get the 320i (pathetic naturally aspirated 2.0 four cylinder) convertible to 100 in the same time.
There is still something wrong about how this thing looks. I went and test drove one at the weekend and I don’t think it looks any better in the metal. The front is low and sleek, the back is high and frumpy. It didn’t drive too badly but I would definitely take a 325i convertible over this. It costs more, but it hides the roof in it’s boot very well (no frumpiness) and now that I’ve driven both, the BMW is a much better car as well.
Still, the Lexus does have it’s place in the market. Many people still buy cars like this on a budget and it does undercut the 325i by about $10,000. Not to mention that some people just like Lexus’ more.
I just worry about who will own it in ten years though. The majority of old Lexus’ I see have a body kit and very large chrome wheels on them. Hmmm…
Actually quite pretty. Good proportions for a CC. However I don’t understand when people say the IS250C is the replacement for the SC430: it has a 2.5L V6, whereas the SC had a 4.3L V8. And why didn’t Lexus bring in the IS350 with the update? Ripoff!
Probably abit off topic here, but I’ve noticed the Mark Levinson stereo and turning headlamps are now options or only available on top models with the New Lexus cars coming out. This started with the RX 350 and now this. Correct me if I’m wrong but both of those options used to be standard on both the RX and IS range…
Nobody, the Mark Levinson audio has always been reserved for the top end models. The turning headlights used to be standard across the range, but it doesn’t look like they do that anymore.
German cars come from Germany. BMW 320i built in South Africa, X5 and X6 from USA. Not that there is anything wrong with that, just be aware the closest a German Engineer got to some of these so called German cars is when they where talking on the phone to the factory in South Africa/USA… Lexus/Toyota Japan quality and reliability is outstanding.
aha ah hum Hagar…………..Lexus/Toyota means Japan ,Canada,Thailand and the good old USA just to mention a few.Perhaps thats why their popularity and reliability is declining !
BM,
I agree Toyota is boring but always reliable (personal experience and Dog & Lemon guide) Also I fully recommend Mazda or Subaru to friends and family (I have a Subi now), some Toyota commercial models come from Thailand. I was not aware of Toyota made in Canada and USA being sold in Australia. Please let me know which ones are, always ready to learn I am :)
Well done lexus a great looking car, there is now 3-4 months wait in queensland! for the record no toyota that is made in canada or usa are sold in australia and i will check but aren’t all lexus made in japan!
“hagar” that is why in recent quality reviews most model BMW’S are ranking very low, lexus still are the king of quality and reliability in luxury cars!
Actually Figjam, according to surveys, Jaguar are the kings of reliability and quality in luxury cars. And the Range Rover just won in SUV quality surveys that included the RX.
As for where Lexus’ are built, according to wikipedia, the only car they produce outside of Japan is the RX. They produce it in both Japan and Canada.
“Alex” the latest 2009 “jd powers” quality list shows LEXUS 1st. PORSCHE 2nd. MERC BENZ 6th. BMW 16th.(not surprised) JAGUAR 30th. and LAND ROVER 2nd last! GO FIGURE!
Figjam, Agree I could not find one either.
Alex, Skip Wiki and go to http://www.redbook.com.au. Also please let me know the source of your reliability/quality survey for Land rover or Jaguar.
Did i see someone mention a saab 9-3? you have to be kidding!! SAAB 4th last in jd power quality list.
FigJam, what list are you looking at? What the JD website says doesn’t match with what you’re saying. Give me a link.
Hagar, for a start, it wasn’t Land Rover as a brand that beat Lexus in the SUV survey, it was just the Range Rover Vogue. Also, it wasn’t a JD survey. I don’t actually remember what websites I read it on but it was most likely Auto Trader, Auto Car, Auto Express or it may have just come up on google news.
As for Jaguar, it was on basically all the motoring websites for a few days about two months ago. This was all I could find: http://www.autoblog.com/2009/0.....-dependab/
Who cares Figjam
Because as I have said before people often refer to surveys when it suits them or it supports their loosely based poorly founded arguement.
If the survey says that their beloved manufacturer is the best then it is deemed to be a credible reference
However; if it doesn’t show them in a favourable light or they didn’t come out on top then somehow the survey is no longer credible.. even though it was performed by the same group – that being JD Powers
In general surveys mean squat because they are often manipulated to achieve a pre-determined outcome.. it all depends on how when and where questions were asked; how they were worded; how well the respondents understand the questions and how their answers were interpreted etc
Not only that but if you asked the same questions to another group of people the results would be different.
Alex,
Autoblog uses jdpower for their source, so why not got to the source. See this link http://www.jdpower.com/autos/r.....age-anchor
wheelnut,
Agree most surveys are bull. But some are close to gosple. Make sure the survey is independant and that comercial involvement with car makers are disclosed. JD power is one of the dependable ones.
Hagar sorry to disappoint you, but i own the Dog & Lemon Guide as well and it isn’t a critical unbiased guide on cars. I mean, what are we meant to do with advice like, ‘it’s okay but don’t say we didn’t warn you.’? So we should buy the car, but it’s a bomb?
“wheelnut” what the hell are you on? that was the biggest wank i have ever read, jd powers are the most respected in there field and there findings are respected world wide! sorry to see BMW so far down the list, NOT!!!!!!
Cool! It looks awesome…another great design from Lexus. It would be really cool to drive one.
So I take it then Figjam – that you don’t read any of your own comments before you post them then … comments like you saying that the W427 is unable to do 0-100Km/h in 4.7 seconds or reach 270Km/h just because you haven’t read an article where it has done so….
Just because you don’t know about it, haven’t read about it, heard about it or didn’t see it.. doesn’t mean that it doesn’t happen, didn’t happen, can’t happen or won’t happen
Ah there you go again JammedFig,spruking on about JD powers surveys and being well respected.
Well I guess people cant be reading it especially the ones that buy BMWs.You do know Lexus have had the biggest decline of their product since 1989 when they started.BMW have over taken them in sales in the USA,survey, yeah they have a big impact on those really in the know when purchasing a car,BUT IDIOTS BELIEVE THEM.
Back orders for 3 months on this thing hey,cant be making many a week is all I can say.
Ross R – With regards to back orders, when you get into this class of car they tend to restrict numbers to encourage more buyers for the exclusivity factor (Jag infact bumped up the waiting time [smaller quota] for their XF AND the price for the sake of customer exclusivity). Take something like the Benz C63, about 14 months ago there was a waiting line of 9-11months. Not because they weren’t making enough but because there was a quota of about 10 (not sure of the solid figure, 10 applied to the IS F) into Australia per month (more so that, they weren’t ALLOWED to make enough).
No one likes queues but sometimes, when you’re slapping down a hundred grand on something a little different, you want to know that you’re buying something special, and not something new that half the population has just bought.
Camski, I think numbers for the IS F were around 20 or 25 but I maybe wrong. I believe both Mercedes & BMW move more units than that with their C63 and M3 per month.
So roger rabbit are you saying that j.d powers information is not correct? that would be a silly statement even from you! and as camski said build numbers has nothing to do with supply,just because you probably got your daiwoo/holden straight away.
I find it ironic that for months the handful of Lex-ota lovers on this site have been bagging Holden .. saying that the Commodore must be pretty pathetic given that approx 70-80% of sales are to fleet customers
Yet it now appears that Lexus are entering the “Fleet” market as they have obviously signed an agreement to supply a government department with a certain number of cars
Therefore; doesn’t that mean that the IS-F is just as bad as the Holden..? that is in terms of “popularity” with the general public
Particularly when you consider that Lexus only build 15-20 IS-Fs a month and they probably have to supply “the fuzz” with at least 60 cars if not more [4-6 months of production]
If the IS-F is as good as we are lead to believe then surely they would be selling them quicker than they could make them and they wouldn’t have to worry about Fleets
There is no fleet program for any lexus model and all isf’s coming into australia are sold “retail only” the euro deal would have been a tender deal!
FITIGJAM – We aren’t talking about Australia because as far as I am aware the article [not this one but the one on the IS-F] is about the English/British Police who are going to be using a Fleet of Lexus – just as the Australian Police use a Fleet of Commodores… therefore Miniskip is justified in making the comparison between the two.
As a Fleet is generally accepted to be a relatively large number of cars sold or provided to one particular customer – such as the Police Force etc
Wheelnut and Miniskip, comparing this to the thousands of fleet sales that Holden make every year has to be drawing one of the longest bows I have ever heard of. Does this also mean that BMW and Mercedes are propping up their sales when they sell limo’s to the various governments around the world? What an absolute load of dribble.
If a car is sold into a Fleet owned by Government ect then yes it is part of a Fleet program.
That would include BMW and Merc anyway cause they are used by Police and as Taxis in Europe.
FIGJAM you need an Atlas mate.
Jammedfig,your at it again twisting things around when your wrong.
What Camaski said was that the reason Lexus have a waiting list is they choose not to have a big production run,20 a month is pathetic just to show customers they have something exclusive.
What I said about JD powers was clearly their surveys have no bearing on sales given that BMW is 12th on their list yet sales wise its number 1 in the USA. As I said surveys mean nothing and no one really listens to them unless your an idiot of course.
Just because I show you up you assume I drive a Commodore,lol thats gold mate.
You need to add a “$” in front of the 79,900 :-)
“One reason I’ve always recommended Lexus over its German rivals is reliability and lower cost of servicing.”
AMEN and roger that, best thing its built tough by Toyota
The video while very nice, why didnt it have commentary?
Would like to know is the back seat as roomy as a Monaro, how hard is it to get into the back-seat their with the roof on?
For mine, best car released in 2009!
Another great looking car from lexus, this just after the great looking ISF well done lexus! lexus will regain the luxury car market leadership in the states it’s only a matter of time!
hey, da bak looks so much like an Aussie Aurion, sun u guys reckon?! especially da lights!!!