Lexus IS350

Most vehicle manufactures have had highlights throughout the years, where they get everything just right and put out a masterpiece of engineering, a car that is at the cutting edge of design and performance.

Marques have however gotten it wrong at times. Not Lexus. The luxury design division of Toyota does not do mediocre. For their engineers, the slogan, ‘The Pursuit of Perfection’ rings true. Losing focus during the design process is tantamount to treason. The European vanguard of luxury sports sedans are shaking in their michelins at the sight and glorious sound of this impeccable samurai warrior machine, the 2013 Lexus IS350 which was launched in Windhoek, Namibia on 27 August.

Pupkewitz Lexus launched the new IS to the Namibian market, incorporating groundbreaking new technology in a competitively priced package. Lexus aspires to attract buyers who are looking for something different from the run-of-the-mill. With its totally redesigned third-generation IS 350 sedan, Lexus have thrown down the gauntlet to the German autocracy – specifically the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and the Mercedes C-Class.

When asked the question of “does the newest contender on the auto arena pull off a victory?” with “absolutely!” Lexus say they have “built the most fun-to-drive sport sedan in the world.”

With its new sportier appearance, the IS is targeted at the young and upcoming executive, considering an edgier styled luxury sedan with revolutionary technology, smoothness, comfort and refined V6 power.

The IS 350’s 3456cc V6 petrol engine is more powerful than its German competitors with direct and port injection and ‘intelligent’ variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust camshafts, “significantly enhancing engine performance and reducing fuel consumption”.

It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.9sec and on to a maximum 225km/h. Innovative D-4S direct injection and dual VVT-I valve ensure power across the entire range.

It benefits from the revolutionary F marque technology, borrowing the eight-speed auto/manual sequential gearbox from the Lexus IS F which comes with steering-wheel paddle shifters, which channels the power to the rear wheels. But there’s a tweak, in sport mode it selects the right gear and downshift pattern. This is in response to the lateral G forces measured by its yaw sensors and holds that gear all the way through the corner helping plant this beast of a car.

This third generation luxury sport sedan comes in three guises priced from N$453 846 for the IS 350E model. Then there’s the F Sport that you can special order at N$553 900, more than N$ 100 000 on top of the basic masterpiece IS 350. The basic IS350 is one of the best cars you’ll ever have, so go against the trend, be distinct and embrace this fine example in the evolution of the automobile.

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