Lexus releases details on updated 2009 range
Lexus has some changes in store for most of its model lineup in 2009, though there doesn't appear to be anything in store for enthusiast drivers to rejoice over. Also cause for jeers instead of cheers: price increases from .8 to 1.1 percent, depending on model. The IS 250 and 350 do get revised suspension and steering tuning to go with exterior styling tweaks and the revised interior carries a new center cluster and an off switch for the VDIM stability control. The IS F über-IS also gets a new interior rendered in terra cotta and black that's termed "sporty."
The only news in the GS department is a 40% increase in trunk space for the GS 450h hybrid, which sounds fantastic but only amounts to 10.6 total cubic feet. The big LS sedans stay largely the same, though some new variants join the party. AWD versions of the LS 460 and LS 460 L tuck a Torsen differential onto the transmission's output shaft, which then marshalls torque between front and rear axles. Slick. The AWD LSes come standard with air suspension, variable-ratio steering, and adaptive suspension. Hit the jump for the full press release with detailed pricing info.
[Source: Toyota]
September. 5, 2008 - Torrance, CA. - Lexus announced Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) today for the 2009 IS 250 and IS 350 luxury sport sedans, IS F high-performance luxury sport sedan, ES 350 luxury sedan, GS 350 and GS 460 luxury sport sedans, GS 450h luxury hybrid sport sedan, LS 460 and LS 460 L premium luxury sedans, the recently added LS 460 and LS 460 L all-wheel drive versions, and the LS 600h L premium hybrid luxury sedan.
The 2009 IS 250 and IS 350 will receive significant enhancements to both its exterior and interior. Exterior changes include newly designed 17- and 18-inch wheel, front and rear bumpers, a revised front grille, and side rear-view mirrors with incorporated turn signals. The interior will receive a newly designed center cluster and foldable rear headrests.
Mechanically, both the IS 250 and IS 350 receive a revised suspension and steering tuning, further enhancing the cars' handling. In addition, the IS 250 will come standard with Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) with a cutoff switch, which had been available only on the IS 350. The 2009 IS 250 manual and automatic, IS 250 all-wheel drive, and IS 350 receive a 0.8-1.0 percent increase or $300. The IS 250 with a manual transmission will carry a base MSRP of $31,155, the IS 250 with an automatic transmission will have a base MSRP of $32,325, the IS 250 all-wheel drive will carry a base MSRP of $34,785 and the IS 350 will have a base MSRP of $36,605.
Launched earlier this year, the Lexus IS F also will receive a few enhancements for the 2009 model year. New features include a revised instrument panel cluster design, illuminated mirror controls, a new open/close moonroof switch, and a piano-black center-cluster finish for navigation-equipped vehicles. A sporty new terra cotta and black two-tone interior will also be offered in 2009. The IS F will have a base MSRP of $56,610, an increase of 1.1 percent or $610.
The 2009 ES 350 will carry over unchanged with a base MSRP of $34,320, an increase of 0.6 percent or $200.
The 2009 GS 350, GS 350 all-wheel drive, and GS 460 luxury sport sedans carry over unchanged, with each receiving a 0.6-0.7 percent increase or $300. The GS 350 will have a base MSRP of $44,850, the GS 350 all-wheel drive will be $46,800, and the GS 460 will be $53,320. The 2009 GS 450h hybrid luxury sport sedan receives an increase in trunk capacity of more than 40 percent, yielding 10.6 cu. ft. of space. It will have a base MSRP of $56,400, an increase of 1.1 percent or $600.
The 2009 LS 460 and LS 460 L luxury sedans carry over with the addition of front-passenger-seat memory. The LS 460 will have a base MSRP of $63,675, an increase of 1.2 percent or $775; the LS 460 L will have a base MSRP of $73,585, an increase of 0.9 percent or $685.
The newest additions to the LS lineup are the all-wheel drive versions of the LS 460 and LS 460 L, and they will carry base MSRPs of $67,200 and $77,110, respectively. The AWD system features a highly compact center TORSEN® Limited-Slip Differential (LSD) that distributes drive torque between the front and rear wheels. In addition to the luxury, convenience and safety features found on the current LS 460, both AWD versions will come standard with air suspension, Variable Gear-Ratio Steering (VGRS), and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS).
The 2009 LS 600h L flagship hybrid luxury sedan adds front-passenger-seat memory to a long list of luxury features and will have a base MSRP of $105,885, an increase of 0.9 percent or $985.
The MSRP does not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $825.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Eddie 10:58AM (9/07/2008)
Im surprised that the IS250 has not received a boost in power. It is such a slug compared to the IS350.
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Majarvis 12:28PM (9/07/2008)
That's why there's an IS 250 and IS 350, duh. For those that don't care about power, they get the 250 and those that do, get the 350.
why not the LS2LS7? 4:39PM (9/07/2008)
Except Lexus' configs are nuts. You can get an IS 250 with AWD and an auto, RWD and an auto, or RWD and a stick. You can only get an IS 350 with RWD and a stick.
If you want AWD or a stick, the comments "well, the IS350 is faster" is no comfort to you.
Ricky 8:40PM (9/07/2008)
@why not the LS2LS7?
You must mean IS350 in RWD and Auto only, those don't come w/ a manual transmission
why not the LS2LS7? 8:44PM (9/07/2008)
Sorry, I mean you can only get the IS350 with RWD and an auto.
MikeW 8:52PM (9/07/2008)
Out with the 2.5 V6, (4gr-fse)
In with the 3.0 V6 (the GS300) & 8 speed automatic.
In the new Audi commercial, the IS250 was in last place.
No good, must be faster.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:48AM (9/07/2008)
The GS hybrid only had 7 cubic feet of trunk space? Wow. I thought Toyota were wizards at hybrids, but that's really pathetic.
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Kumail891 11:53AM (9/07/2008)
i saw a is F in black recently, and it actually looked nice. i think it was the blue that was making it look ugly.
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SPG 12:02PM (9/07/2008)
I've always said that Lexus was for people who have money (or want to appear that way) and want to show people they do. There's one problem though, they don't know what to buy and don't really have much taste.
However the current (gen one was ok, gen two was just sad) ES, current GS, and both the SC's and IS's are pretty good.
I can't stand the Lexus SUV's, they epitomize bland and tasteless. The LS is amazingly bland as well.
It's really nice to see that Lexus is trying to become more individual and sporty with the IS-F and the incredible sunroof option on the ES.
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BobinCobb 12:44PM (9/07/2008)
Lexus is for people that want absolutely reliable vehicles! NOT "for people who have money (or want to appear that way) and want to show people they do."
My RX300 is 10+ years old, it lost a power steering pump in the first week and an intake sensor at 8 years. Other than that it has been flawless. I give it Mobile One every 7,000 miles and a new Delco battery every 4 years, it runs like new!
Why would I settle for something less?
SPG 2:33PM (9/07/2008)
BobbinCobb
Sure thing buddy, it's the reliability that attracted you to the Lexus brand.
Toyota has only spent millions a year from 1989 on to give the Lexus brand a premium image with products and prices to rival other premium offerings on the market.
There were other compact SUV's (CUV's) on the market ten years ago with less brand cache that had great reliability.
BobinCobb 3:14PM (9/07/2008)
I bought my CUV RX300 because my wife has a mobility problem, she had major entry and exit problems with sedans but the seats in an RX are butt high, sit and pivot. If I had a breakdown on the road getting her to the next exit would be a problem.
The RX 300 was the ONLY CUV on the market in 2000 and my trade-in was a Lexus. I've raced SCCA, Autocross's, and drags. I drove the motorways and autobahn's of Europe for many years. I've had it with the unreliability of Mustangs, Porsche's and Volvo's.
I drive the RX 300 like a high roll-center Miata, old habits die hard, and it is invisible to the fuzz. Price or snobbery was never a consideration.
SPG 4:04PM (9/07/2008)
BobbinCobb, you sir make a good point.
I still however find Lexus's to be sleepier then Tylenol PM washed down with a bottle of red wine and all those other nice things I said about the brand.
P.S. I do like the SC's quite a bit and some GS's.
why not the LS2LS7? 4:41PM (9/07/2008)
Interesting argument. But you have no control for your experiment. Cars are in general getting a lot more reliable, have been for 20 years. You cannot confidently say that if you bought a different vehicle it would have been more trouble than your RX.
Avinash machado 12:35PM (9/07/2008)
None of Lexus's models are drivers cars. They basically appeal to those who want plush ride and luxury. Dynamics and fun to drive do not matter much to them.
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Lexus Driver 12:36PM (9/07/2008)
Lexus are the only cars where drivers are in danger of falling asleep just looking at them.
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dude 8:41PM (9/08/2008)
nobody care what you say
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brent 1:36PM (9/07/2008)
Lexus is about invisible on the road. They are staid, boring, blah, yawn, etc. That being said, they are probably the best cars in the world for reliability and quality. That's not enough to make me buy one though. However, I don't think that excitement much matters to most consumers. Some care about image (advantage Lexus) and others go for reliability (advantage Lexus.) When Alan Mullaly was still working at The Boeing Co, someone asked him what kind of car he drives. He responded that he drove a Lexus because it was the best car in the world.
Anyhow... When I buy my next car, I am going for a Coupe, that makes me excited when I see it. It wil be comfortable, reliable, a good layout inside and other options that aren't available on other "me too" cars. I am buying a Cadillac CTS Coupe. This will be a welcome change after my G35 Coupe.
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Ligor 8:35PM (9/07/2008)
if yout think your CTS coupe will be more reliable than your G coupe, you're in for a surprise.
I have a G35 sedan, and a friend I work with has a CTS sedan, so far I've replaced a O2 sensor in 84k miles, unfortunately the CTS has har the sunroof replaced, a couple of recalls adn a new rearend put on as the axle started to make some weird nises. and the CTS only has 48k miles on it.
anyhow that new CTS coupwe does look awesome, so maybe forgiving some faults will not be such a big deal.
DomManganelli 2:33PM (9/07/2008)
considering inflation, .8 to 1.1% price increases are not anything to complain about
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