The new 2006 Lexus IS 250 and 350 will be available in the fall of 2005. Pricing has not been announced, but sales goals are ambitious – Lexus would like to sell 45,000 units or more annually, a 600-percent increase over the current IS. To meet those lofty expectations, pricing will be very competitive – especially for the base IS 250, clearly the volume vehicle in the mix. The increase in pricing for the BMW 3 Series should give Lexus a great opportunity to reach the 45,000-unit level. Officials estimate that the price of the IS 250 rear-wheel-drive model will be very close to the existing model; with the IS 350 the price will rise as it is considered the IS “halo” trim. This is thanks to its powertrain upgrade and technology add-ins, such as a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management System (VDIM).

For that price, you get an IS that is larger all the way around, faster than the preceding model, and one that offers more technology, such as a radar-controlled Pre-Crash Safety system (PCS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Intelligent Adaptive Front Lighting System (I-AFS). There will be 10 airbags, including a double knee airbag. The IS 350 will also have a “sport tuned” version of the Lexus VDIM, which Lexus claims is the most complete and intuitive stability control technology available today.