Just imagine if the Lexus brand was owned, not by Toyota, but by Eskom. This thought popped into my head as we flew into Cape Town for the launch of the new Lexus GS300 and IS250 models. We were handed fancy “Western Cape Energy-Efficient-Zone” passports, issued at the airport by the national power company. If Eskom diverted the enthusiasm and funds it’s spent on producing this garbage into properly maintaining the electricity supply network, taxpayers might feel they were getting value for money. But enough of the ranting Â- let’s get down to the business at hand.
The Lexus brand is relatively new, having been launched in 1989. The luxury car division of Toyota, aimed squarely at competitors like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, has achieved remarkable success, particularly in the United States, where it topped the luxury vehicle sales lists for the sixth consecutive year in 2005, with 302 895 sales. It has also regularly dominated the prestigious JD Power and Associates quality and customer satisfaction surveys in that country.
Toyota South Africa has never promoted Lexus seriously, although selected models have been available here in limited numbers. This has all changed now, with the company establishing a network of posh new stand-alone Lexus dealerships that’ll do justice to the superior product. In the next 12 months we can expect to see more new Lexus cars sold than the 2 000 that have found homes here since 1993.
The first of the new models launched in Cape Town was the GS300, which is aimed at seducing the traditional Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5-Series buyer. An understated but extremely classy car, the new model comes in two specifications levels, both very high. The interior trim is real wood, and the GS300 features electronically programmable leather front seats with built-in heaters. Unlike in Cape Town, everything that could possibly work electrically does, and the car has the usual array of electronic driver aids to help keep you out of trouble. There’s an on-board computer with a 15cm monitor, parking distance control with sonar, an electric rear sunblind, rain-sensing wipers, plenty of air bags, remote door locking and unlocking, and an intelligent adaptive front lighting system that swivels the headlights as the driver steers into a bend.
The even higher-specced GS300 SE (due here in the last quarter of 2006) adds built-in coolers to the front seats, a very fancy Mark Levinson digital surround-sound system in place of the standard six-CD set-up, satellite navigation, and a rear-facing camera connected to the display system to make reversing easier. As usual in a Lexus, build quality is excellent, and the controls are sensibly laid out and easy to use.
The launch route took us 250km through the winelands, which was far enough to convince me that it’s an impressive car. The 24-valve three-litre V6 uses its 183kW and 310Nm to good effect. Both versions come with six-speed auto transmission. In sequential manual mode it doesn’t ignore driver input, as so many similar transmissions do, and there’s a “sport” button that allows more aggressive driving. The shift pedals on the steering wheel were particularly impressive, being easy to operate and eliciting lightning-fast changes on demand.
Handling of the rear-wheel-drive car is excellent, with the electric power-steering giving excellent feedback. The factory used loads of aluminium in the suspension components to reduce unsprung mass, and this pays off on the road. Top speed is claimed to be 235kph, reaching 100kph after 7,2 seconds.
The Lexus GS300 retails at R425 400, and the SE version at R457 350.
The new Lexus IS250 model is, for me, the car that will grab South African motorists’ attention. This has just about everything you could wish for in a sports saloon, at a price within the reach of many buyers. It provides most of the luxury of the GS300 and more fun, at about 70% of the price. Powered by a 2,5 litre V6 that delivers 153kW and 252Nm to the rear wheels, the car is claimed to have a top-whack of 230kph or 225kph, depending on whether you opt for the six-speed manual or auto transmissions. Everything you need for safe, comfortable motoring is there, wrapped in a package of pure driving pleasure.
During the launch, I drove the IS250 from Paarl to Stellenbosch, via Franschoek, Kleinmond, and Gordon’s Bay, in a heavy drizzle. Through the endless twisties I slipped into that rare state where everything feels perfect. That’s a state that professional racing drivers can achieve at will, but for the rest of us it happens rarely, and only with the cooperation of a good car.
From behind the wheel the IS250 was more appealing. Pricing starts at R274 000 for the IS250 six-speed manual, and ends at R342 100 for the IS250 SE six-speed auto.
I think Toyota made a mistake in neglecting the brand for so long in South Africa. Whether the relatively unknown name will draw as many buyers from the very popular BMW and Mercedes owners’ pool as Toyota would like is debatable, but many young Toyota owners, as they become more affluent, will probably take the step up to the premier car from the same — sort of — stable.
Fact file
Model: Lexus GS300
Price: R425 400 to R457 350
Engine: 24-valve three-litre V6
Tech: 183kW, 310Nm
Top speed: 235kph, 0-100kph in 7,2 seconds
Model: Lexus IS250
Price: R274 000 to R342 100
Engine: 2,5 litre V6
Tech: 153kW, 252Nm
Top speed: 230kph