Lexus IS 350 vs. BMW 335i

Edmunds.com made a comparison between the new BMW 335i and the competition response to it, the Lexus IS 350. Here are some parts of the article: “BMW has it and Lexus wants it. That’s all you need to know about the confrontation between the 2007 BMW 335i and 2007 Lexus IS 350. As the first compact sport sedan with more than 300 horsepower, the Lexus IS 350 has been the quickest car in this class since its redesign in 2006.

Performance of Lexus IS 350

The 3.5-liter V6 in the F-Sport Lexus IS 350 breathes a bit easier thanks to a performance air intake and axle-back exhaust. The intake utilizes a high-flow air filter and a TIG-welded machined aluminum pipe. Lexus claims that this C.A.R.B. legal intake can provide up to a 3% increase in rear-wheel horsepower. The 60-millimeter axle-back exhaust is made of polished 304 stainless steel and provides up to a 1.5% bump in power.Suspension upgrades consist of progressive lowering springs, Bilstein shocks and thicker sway bars. Our test car was also equipped with forged 19-inch wheels wrapped in very sticky Michelin rubber. A brake upgrade, consisting of massive two-piece rotors squeezed by six-piston calipers up front, four-piston calipers in the rear, was also added to our test car.So, how does this car drive? To us, it doesn’t seem that different from the standard Lexus IS 350. Power delivery is strong, but the response still feels like it is being choked by the flappy-paddle automatic transmission. If any Lexus could benefit from a six-speed manual, or at least a good dual clutch auto, it would be this one. You can tell that the power is there and wants to get out, it’s just that the transmission won’t let it. There’s also a very annoying, very loud drone at about 2,500 rpm, a spot in which the engine likes to spend a lot of time.Handling is a much better story. Despite being much stiffer than stock, the F-Sport Lexus IS 350’s ride is really quite composed. We dare say that the ride can even be described as “comfortable.” The sticky Michelin Pilots provide an incredible amount of grip, and the feedback they send to the steering wheel lets the driver really feel engaged with the road. Only problem with these tires, as is the case with most sets of performance rubber, is that they cause the car to tramline a lot. Anyone expecting a leisurely “Lexus-like” driving experience -- where you just point the car in the direction you want to go and forget about everything else -- will be sorely disappointed.The most amazing upgrade in this car has to be the brakes. Yeah, they squeak as all performance brakes do, but damn do they stop the car well. The car will go from any speed to zero the instant you stomp on the “stop” pedal. And even after repeated heavy braking, these stoppers won’t show any sign of fade.

Design of The Lexus IS 350

The Lexus IS 350 F-Sport manages to be what the Lexus IS F isn’t -- attractive. The F-Sport’s lowered stance, dished wheels and rolled exhaust tips add just the right amount of menace to the already-handsome standard IS sedan. But outside of the bright blue brake calipers or polished exhaust tips, the F-Sport’s image is pretty understated. Inside the Lexus IS 350 F-Sport, well, nothing has changed. It’s the same interior that is found in any Lexus IS 350. Driving position is good, though the low roof makes things seem a bit cramped for taller drivers. The backseat isn’t all that usable, but since we’re not in the business of carting our friends or colleagues around, the tight backseat really isn’t a concern for us. Our test car also came with Lexus’ excellent touchscreen nav/command system, complete with rearview camera. All in all, the cockpit was what you’d expect from a Lexus, but we’d like to see at least an F-Sport performance seat upgrade offered in the near future.

2010 Lexus IS 350C Overview

Lexus adds to the IS family with the addition of a new two-door, convertible hard-top version called the Lexus IS 350C.
With its two doors and 3-panel retractable hard-top roof in the up position, the new car has a very coupe-like appearance. With the push of a button, the aluminum roof panels retract to provide open-air motoring for up to four passengers. The new Lexus IS 350C shares the same powertrain as the Lexus IS sedan - a 3.5 liter V6 mated to a 6-speed automatic. Comfort and safety features carry-over largely unchanged from the sedan.
The Lexus IS350C is all new for 2010 with added content such as; turn signal incorporated into the side mirrors, front and rear vented brake discs, easy entry rear seats with a power passenger slide, USB connection capability, Bluetooth, seat-mounted airbags that extend to protect the head, and hill-start assist.

Lexus IS 350

There hasn't been any news on a Lexus racecar since we heard rumors that the Lexus IS-F racer, unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, was really a reskinned 2004 Opel Vectra DTM. While Lexus might not be supporting a factory-backed motorsports program for the Lexus IS, that doesn't mean that privateer teams can't develop a car on their own. DRC Motorsports has done just that and has built two Lexus IS 350 racecars that will compete in the GT class of the SPEED World Challenge. Dubbed the Lexus IS GTF, it will be sporting a 4.7-liter V8 putting out 510 horsepower and attached to six-speed sequential transmission. The first car will make its debut this weekend at Mid Ohio with Jeff Altenburg, last year's SWC Touring Car champion, behind the wheel, and the second car, driven by Robb Holland, is scheduled to make its maiden run the following race at Road America. Both cars are scheduled to run the remainder of the race season. If you want to watch the new Lexus IS GTF in action, SPEED will be airing the race on Thursday, July 24 at 1:00pm (EDT) following the Touring Car race