Launch - Lexus 250C convertible
- By Special Correspondent
- Published 11/18/2009
- Lexus
- Unrated
Lexus Press Release. - Offering the appeal of a coupe with the style of a convertible, Lexus's IS250C expands the luxury brand's line-up and becomes the second coupe-convertible in the range alongside the exclusive SC430.
The latest addition to the Lexus range takes the top off SA's most satisfying car to own, according to J.D. Power and Associates, the IS250 sedan. The accolade is one of many quality and customer satisfaction awards attributed to Lexus over the past 15 years. But far from being a simple matter of a retractable hardtop, the changes to the IS are significant turning it into the IS250C.
Designed from the ground up
While it clearly shares a resemblance to its sedan showroom mate, the IS250C visually shares only the headlights, bonnet, door handles, and exterior mirrors with the IS250. Its three-piece folding hardtop is the fastest operating mechanism in its segment and also allows the maximum amount of luggage space of any of its competitors whether in place or folded.
Four-seater convertibles are all about lifestyle," says Kevin Flynn, general manager of Lexus SA. "But importantly, these cars require real-world practicality in their pursuit of style. The IS250C has been designed from the ground up to offer not only a stylish package, but class-leading boot space and rear-seat accommodation. And with its three-piece folding hardtop, it really is an elegant and cosseting coupe as well as a beautiful open four-seater."
Onboard luxuries
The IS250C shares the saloon's high levels of interior luxury and practical innovation, with a number of bespoke technical revisions to ensure the on-board comfort and entertainment systems work effectively when driving in convertible mode. The low profile front seats are heated and have a new arched frame with an integral seatbelt guide. Extra comfort for top-down driving is provided by additional heating pads at shoulder height, improved heater performance and greater ventilation airflow.The two full-size rear seats are separated by a centre console with integrated cupholders. Ample legroom is provided thanks to the more slender profile of the front seats.
Access to the rear seats is made easier by an increase of 300mm in the length of the front doors, compared to the saloon. The front seats have a one-touch walk-in button that automatically folds and slides the seat forwards. The three-step doors also allow easier, and more controlled access to the car.
Generous luggage space has been achieved by lengthening the rear overhang by 50mm and exceptionally compact packaging of the folding roof structure. With the hard top in place capacity is 553 litres; with the roof down it is 205 litres. The IS250C is the only car in its class to be able to accommodate a nine-inch golf bag with the hard top stowed and the luggage cover in place.
The climate control system has been configured for top-down motoring with the addition of a speed sensitive control that automatically adjusts outlet temperature and air flow speed in roof-down mode, further increasing the flow according to vehicle speed. The 7-inch LCD touch screen controls for the audio and navigation systems have been improved with a redesigned set-up screen and extra tabs for the audio functions.
The standard eight-speaker 246W premium sound system gains equaliser tuning to provide consistent audio quality whether the roof is up or down, automatically adapting to the loss of bass when the roof is stowed.
Musically minded
There is provision for a USB and audio jack plug connectivity for full control of personal music players such as iPods. Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity is also provided, with an audio/video streaming function. The IS250C also adopts the latest hard drive navigation technology with a 40GB HDD capacity.
The power within the Lexus 250C
Sharing its 2.5-litre V6 and six-speed automatic transmission with the IS250 sedan, the IS250C delivers 153kW at 6 400rpm and 252Nm at 4 800rpm. Weight management and torsional rigidity mean the IS250C remains consistently dynamic whether the roof is in place or folded. The new convertible runs on bespoke 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 225/45 tyres at the front and 245/45 tyres at the rear.
The IS250C has been designed to achieve a maximum five-star rating in both Euro and US NCAP crash testing, offering world-class safety in both coupe and convertible configuration. Following the example of the IS saloon, the IS250C benefits from the highest content of active and passive safety technology in the segment, including Lexus's Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM). This incorporates Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) specifically tuned for an open-body car to ensure shorter stopping distances on split-friction road surfaces and the world's first twin-chamber passenger front airbag. In open-top driving safety performance is further improved with a new, larger design side airbag that provides head protection in the event of a side impact. The bodyshell has also been equipped with extra energy absorbing side impact pads for front and rear seat occupants.
As with all Lexus models, the IS250C is backed up by a four year/100 000km full maintenance plan and a four years/100 000km manufacturer's warranty.
Price: R550 200
The latest addition to the Lexus range takes the top off SA's most satisfying car to own, according to J.D. Power and Associates, the IS250 sedan. The accolade is one of many quality and customer satisfaction awards attributed to Lexus over the past 15 years. But far from being a simple matter of a retractable hardtop, the changes to the IS are significant turning it into the IS250C.
Designed from the ground up
   
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Four-seater convertibles are all about lifestyle," says Kevin Flynn, general manager of Lexus SA. "But importantly, these cars require real-world practicality in their pursuit of style. The IS250C has been designed from the ground up to offer not only a stylish package, but class-leading boot space and rear-seat accommodation. And with its three-piece folding hardtop, it really is an elegant and cosseting coupe as well as a beautiful open four-seater."
Onboard luxuries
The IS250C shares the saloon's high levels of interior luxury and practical innovation, with a number of bespoke technical revisions to ensure the on-board comfort and entertainment systems work effectively when driving in convertible mode. The low profile front seats are heated and have a new arched frame with an integral seatbelt guide. Extra comfort for top-down driving is provided by additional heating pads at shoulder height, improved heater performance and greater ventilation airflow.The two full-size rear seats are separated by a centre console with integrated cupholders. Ample legroom is provided thanks to the more slender profile of the front seats.
Access to the rear seats is made easier by an increase of 300mm in the length of the front doors, compared to the saloon. The front seats have a one-touch walk-in button that automatically folds and slides the seat forwards. The three-step doors also allow easier, and more controlled access to the car.
Generous luggage space has been achieved by lengthening the rear overhang by 50mm and exceptionally compact packaging of the folding roof structure. With the hard top in place capacity is 553 litres; with the roof down it is 205 litres. The IS250C is the only car in its class to be able to accommodate a nine-inch golf bag with the hard top stowed and the luggage cover in place.
The climate control system has been configured for top-down motoring with the addition of a speed sensitive control that automatically adjusts outlet temperature and air flow speed in roof-down mode, further increasing the flow according to vehicle speed. The 7-inch LCD touch screen controls for the audio and navigation systems have been improved with a redesigned set-up screen and extra tabs for the audio functions.
The standard eight-speaker 246W premium sound system gains equaliser tuning to provide consistent audio quality whether the roof is up or down, automatically adapting to the loss of bass when the roof is stowed.
Musically minded
There is provision for a USB and audio jack plug connectivity for full control of personal music players such as iPods. Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity is also provided, with an audio/video streaming function. The IS250C also adopts the latest hard drive navigation technology with a 40GB HDD capacity.
The power within the Lexus 250C
Sharing its 2.5-litre V6 and six-speed automatic transmission with the IS250 sedan, the IS250C delivers 153kW at 6 400rpm and 252Nm at 4 800rpm. Weight management and torsional rigidity mean the IS250C remains consistently dynamic whether the roof is in place or folded. The new convertible runs on bespoke 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 225/45 tyres at the front and 245/45 tyres at the rear.
The IS250C has been designed to achieve a maximum five-star rating in both Euro and US NCAP crash testing, offering world-class safety in both coupe and convertible configuration. Following the example of the IS saloon, the IS250C benefits from the highest content of active and passive safety technology in the segment, including Lexus's Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM). This incorporates Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) specifically tuned for an open-body car to ensure shorter stopping distances on split-friction road surfaces and the world's first twin-chamber passenger front airbag. In open-top driving safety performance is further improved with a new, larger design side airbag that provides head protection in the event of a side impact. The bodyshell has also been equipped with extra energy absorbing side impact pads for front and rear seat occupants.
As with all Lexus models, the IS250C is backed up by a four year/100 000km full maintenance plan and a four years/100 000km manufacturer's warranty.
Price: R550 200
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