A picture of The Lexus IS C convertible goes on sale in a few weeks. This is a great time to be in the market for a luxury convertible.
In the next few weeks, Lexus will introduce its new IS C retractable hardtop convertible in 250 or 350 engine configurations. The new models will compete in a segment that's getting downright crowded. Primary competitors are the BMW 3-series and the Mercedes C-class convertibles, Lexus says. But there also are droptops from Infiniti in the G37, Volvo's C70, the Audi A4 and A5 and the Saab 9-3, just to name a few. It's a buyers market, for slightly wealthier buyers, anyway.
Lexus spent three and a half years making sure that the new IS C will be solid over bumps and potholes. Engineers were not able to start work on the convertible before the current-model hardtop sedan debuted in 2005, so they had to work with what previous teams built.
"Transforming from sedan to convertible is very difficult," chief engineer Junichi Furuyama said. "[The goal was to] keep the body rigidity and the agile feeling of the car."
There is always a tradeoff between adding structural stiffeners and keeping the car light. Total reinforcements to the IS body added 360 pounds to 380 pounds to the various convertible models. The rocker panels are 50 percent bigger in cross section than the hardtop IS and there is a latticework of reinforcement underneath the car. An extra tube is welded inside the reclined windshield frame, and the area behind the rear seats also gets more steel.
There is some loss of rigidity, though. So to compensate for it, Furuyama softened up every component of the suspension, including springs, shocks, antiroll bars and bushings. The steering ratio was slowed from 13.5 in the standard IS to 14.6 in the convertible.
Over a few moderate bumps, we could feel some shimmy, as in any structure missing its upper half, but the reverberations were quickly damped out by the stiffer body. Handling was well above what a convertible buyer will expect. It is comfortably fast.
Off the line our 3,880-pound 350C was almost as quick as its lighter sedan counterpart. We drove a 3.5-liter V6-powered IS 350C automatic with 306 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Lexus lists 0-60 at 5.8 seconds, versus 5.2 seconds for the hard top.
The convertible conversion adds about 360 pounds to the Lexus IS sedan. |
We don't doubt that relatively quick time in the least. You touch the throttle and it leaps forward, reminding us what we like about the whole IS line of performance sedans and coupes. The jump was so pronounced that it took a few runs to get used to launching with any smoothness.
The IS 250C comes with the same V6 configuration but a liter less displacement. Power peaks at 205 hp with torque at 185 lb-ft.
Engineers also spent considerable time fine-tuning the aerodynamics. The increased recline of the windshield and tuning of the windshield header smooth airflow and reduce turbulence into the cabin. When you add the windblocker over the rear seats, it raises the air flow over the cabin by almost 3 inches--enough to maintain that fabulous hairstyle you spent so long sculpting.
Raising or lowering the top takes just 20 seconds. There are 15 electric motors in the assembly controlled by 37 sensors. By allowing the motions of the motors to overlap where possible, Furuyama estimates they saved 10 seconds in total top operation time, which could be critical at a stoplight. To ease the work of the electric motors, the top sections are made of lightweight aluminum.
In the wide spectrum of luxury convertibles available, we'd put the IS C up toward the BMW/sporty end of the spectrum. You can enjoy spirited gran touring without giving up the vast range of creature comforts Lexus buyers love.
The car will be available in a few weeks across the country. Pricing starts at $39,365 for the IS 250C and $44,815 for the mighty IS 350C.
To read more visit the AutoWeek Car Reviews for new cars, trucks, SUVs, vans and crossovers section.
Posts
RSS Feed (xml)
