Lexus IS F-Sport Package UK review:

New grade at the heart of changes for the new model year

KEY POINTS
Improvements across the Lexus IS range for 2010 model year
Introduction of new F-Sport grade, inspired by the ultra-high-performance IS F
Lowered suspension (IS 250 only)
18-inch alloy wheels
Bootlid spoiler
Sports seats, steering wheel and a luminium pedals
Alcantara and leather upholstery
New HDD navigation system
New DAB-ready audio system featuring USB connectivity and Bluetooth
17-inch alloy wheels now standard feature on IS 250 SE and IS 220d SE
Improvement in fuel consumption and emissions performance
Revised range on sale now, on-the-road prices from £24,350

Sharper looks and new high-tech on-board features are central to Lexus`s revision of its best-selling IS sports saloon for 2010.

Inspired by the ultra-high-performance IS F, the IS range has been extended with a new F-Sport grade that focuses on highly desirable sports styling features.

New F-Sport grade
The new F-Sport grade, available for both IS 250 and 220d models, takes its cue from the high impact styling of the IS F and is positioned in the IS line-up between the established SE-I and SE-L models.

The dedicated F-Sport exterior features include lowered suspension (IS 250 only), exclusive 18-inch wheels and an IS F-style front grille and rear bootlid spoiler. In the cabin there are aluminium sports pedals, IS F-style sports seats, steering wheel and (on the IS 250 automatic) gear lever. The seats are finished in a combination of Alcantara upholstery with leather side bolsters.

A black-on-black interior colour scheme is complimented by a black headlining and grey stitching detail on the front seats and steering wheel.

F-Sport models share a number of premium equipment features with SE-L grade, including rain-sensing wipers, HID headlights with AFS, 13-speaker audio system and memory settings for the front seats and door mirrors.

Navigation and audio systems

Lexus has developed one of the most accurate and fast-responding navigation systems on the market. Using a 40GB hard disc drive (HDD), it provides Europe-wide coverage and is able to gather live local traffic intelligence in each country to help plot the most efficient route, wherever you may be.

A further benefit of the HDD system is its "sound library" function. Up to 10GB of disc space is available for owners to store audio tracks from CD - room enough for about 2,000 songs.

The touch-screen, full-map system is available as an option on SE and SE-I models as part of package that also includes a rear park assist monitor.

For F-Sport and SE-L versions of IS, it is included in the optional Multimedia Package, together with a 14-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System and the rear park assist monitor.

All Lexus IS audio systems can be upgraded to receive DAB digital broadcasts and are equipped as standard with USB and audio jack plug connection for fully controlled use of portable music players, and Bluetooth with an audio streaming function.

The Mark Levinson audio package now features a "sound library" function, using the navigation system`s HDD to transfer and store music files from CD up to 10GB capacity.

Larger wheels for SE grade
Lexus IS 250 SE and 220d SE have been given more street appeal for 2010 with 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels fitted as standard, in place of the previous 16-inch rims.

Improved fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions
The revisions made to the IS 250 for the 2010 model year have yielded improvements in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. With manual transmission, combined cycle economy is now 29.1mpg, compared to 28.8mpg for the 2009 model; the new figure for the automatic is 31.7mpg (from 31.0mpg). CO2 emissions have fallen from 231 to 227g/km for the manual and 214 to 209g/km for the automatic.

Lexus IS prices, insurance and VED

MODEL OTR PRICE INSURANCE
50 group VED BAND
IS 220d SE £24,350 27 F
IS 250 SE manual £24,625 29 L
IS 250 SE automatic £25,285 29 K
IS 220d SE-I £26,610 28 F
IS 250 SE-I manual £26,885 29 L
IS 250 SE-I automatic £27,545 29 K
IS 220d F-Sport £28.290 TBA F
IS 250 F-Sport automatic £29,365 TBA K
IS 220d SE-L £29,075 29 F
IS 250 SE-L automatic £30.150 30 K

Option prices

HDD navigation £2,350
Multimedia package £3,120
ACC/PCS (250 SE-L only) £2,640
DAB audio £360
18-inch Hoshi wheels £1,425
18-inch Baransu wheels £1,425
18-inch Tsuki wheels £1,550
Metallic/mica paint £595 End of Lexus IS F-Sport Package UK review.