2006 Lexus IS Preview
Written By: MyRide.com
Reprinted under license.
Live from Geneva, it's New York's next hit
.jpg "2006 Lexus IS")
Continue to more photos from MyRide.com
2006 Lexus IS Preview
At some point, someone in Europe will care. Really. But it may take awhile, seeing as Lexus is playing in the backyard of some pretty big dogs. It will surely take longer than it did in the US - where talk of luxury vehicles has quickly been dominated by Lexus. So when Lexus introduces a new vehicle for Europe, most luxury automakers just smirk and sip their tea. Especially a little pup like the 2006 Lexus IS sports sedan, which Europeans know as a Toyota. Such a cute little car! Across the pond, however, officials inside the North American offices of these same prim luxury automakers are hitting the Whiskey and thinking deep and mean thoughts. Here, where the Eagle Flies, a new Lexus IS sport sedan means more competition from the Relentless One. Whiskey is a good drink when that happens, especially given the sobering fact that we buyers in America will be seeing the new IS soon - very soon - in New York, with its invigorating new design, new powertrains and enough technology to make a Radio Shack clerk squeal.
On the stateside, the IS will likely get a more powerful V6 engine - details of which are still secret. What's now apparent is that the IS will be all-new, with new sheet metal and a new powertrain - in fact, US customers can count on the addition of a hybrid system as well as the V6. The design follows in the footsteps of the recently introduced GS, which is based on the LF-A design concept introduced earlier at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. That super car concept captured the idea of flowing lines, action and taut pressure in specific areas, and the IS delivers much the same in a small dimension. Notable design cues of the 2006 Lexus IS sports sedan include triangular rear running lights, a flowing style and virtually invisible B-pillars. This vehicle, which will compete for sales with popular sedans such as the BMW 3-Series and serve as a point-of-entry for people moving into the luxury category, will define itself as a sporty, aggressive sedan built to appeal to a youthful market.
North American shoppers can expect the new IS to feature much of the new technology Lexus is putting into their cars, namely the radar-controlled Pre-Crash Safety system (PCS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Intelligent Adaptive Front Lighting System (I-AFS). In Europe, and probably in the US, there will be 10 airbags, including a double knee airbag. The IS will also have the Lexus Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management System (VDIM), which Lexus claims is the most complete and intuitive vehicle control technology available today. In Europe, Lexus is making a move with new vehicles and a plan to divide and conquer. The IS a major player in that plan, along with a first-ever Lexus diesel engine. The all-aluminum, 2.2-liter four-cylinder will be offered along with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine. Those smug Euro boys may well want to pay attention to that diesel engine, and keep the J germeister within easy reach.
by Staff
Photo Credit: Lexus
Continue to 2006 Lexus IS Preview from MyRide.com
© 2007 Autobytel Inc. All rights reserved.
Drifting Articles:
Nissan, Ford, Nokia and Tata to Reveal Indian Navigation Strategies
The major navigation players are set to reveal their plans for the huge Indian market at the forthcoming Navigation India 2008 conference in New Delhi.
Things to Consider When Buying a New Car from a Connecticut Dealer Nissan
Things to Consider When Buying a New Car from a Connecticut Dealer Nissan
2007 Lexus GS 450h First Drive
Lexus GS 450h - 2007 First Drive: Imagine, if you will, a new automotive world where automakers do things like replace tachometers with kilowatt meters, build cars with more than 300 horsepower that get better than 20 miles per gallon, and don't choke the skies with noxious fumes.
Baltimore Mazda For Your Next Vehicle
Benjamin Ourisman opened his first car dealership in 1921. He named it Ourisman Chevrolet. After nearly a century of great service to Baltimore and the Washington Metropolitan area, Ourisman's dealerships have expanded to 24 franchises in seventeen locations. Today, Ourisman is known as a leader among the Baltimore area Mazda car dealerships.
Brooks Institute & Pratt Institute Collaborate With Nissan To Think "Outside Of The Cube"
Brooks Institute has partnered with Nissan North America (NNA) to introduce the new Nissan Cube, a 5-door, mini multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) built on a B-platform.
Sumitomo HTR+ Review on a Mazda RX8
I was forced to start looking at potential replacements for the stock Bridgestone Potenza RE040 (225/45/18) slightly after hitting 25,000 miles on them. I was hard pressed by economic reasons to find the cheapest possible tires that would offer a similar or higher tread life (higher was better) and a decent level of performance on dry surfaces, as well as wet.
Acura Mdx Gas Mileage Fuel Economy And Features
In 2007, the MDX, a luxury SUV crossover in the auto world, came out as Acura introduced its second-generation version. In 2008 there are very few changes, which are mainly a new auto-dimming rearview mirror. Some are concerned about the Acura Mdx gas mileage, which doesn't fare well in the changing times of worry over fuel economy and greenhouse emissions.
2007 Mazda CX-7 First Drive
Mazda CX-7 -- 2007 First Drive: Interestingly, it takes a trip to the cultural and historic epicenter of the United States to appreciate what's going on in the automotive world.
Mazda Company Beginnings
The first Mazda was exported to the United States in 1970, and from that moment on, the company became committed to providing its customers with impressive vehicles that deliver what they promise – a reliable and secure driving experience. With this continued determination, it is no surprise that Mazda is a leader in the car industry today.
2008 Lexus IS F First Drive
Lexus IS F - 2008 First Drive: At one time or another, be it as a youngster with friends or while sacked out watching HBO on a dreary weekend, we've all watched one of those cheesy high school flicks in which the main character, in highly dramatized fashion, sprouts from a wallflower into the sudden focus on all the cool kids' attention.
New Survey Says Mazda Drivers Are Happier
A recent study has revealed Mazda drivers are the happiest drivers on the roads, beating other top brands such as Ford and Holden. Although Toyota drivers were the most loyal...
2005 Acura RL Preview
NEW YORK, NY - Front-wheel-drive cars are so last year, so gauche, so passe. It's the automotive equivalent of celebrities dabbling in kabbalah.
Mazda MX5s Iconic Evolution that Makes Mazda Parts Distributors Like Parts Train Deliver the Best
Fresh from the wheels up, Mazda MX5 -- the world's favorite roadster remains true to the lightweight, fun to drive formula that sold more than 700,000 MX-5s worldwide since its introduction in 1989. The third generation Mazda MX-5 will be presented in October 2005 at the Geneva and Melbourne motor shows.
Nissan Ultimate Sports car The New GTR
Nissan GTR 2008
Street Racing - Stuntiing - Aggressive Driving Endangers Lives
Car Insurance Companies Applaud New Law for: Street Racing, Stunting, and Drag Racing