FTO AUSTRALIA

Well some of you might already read the review i've done for other forum, but I thought I post it up here, so we can have a yak too. It is a bit of different to the one I wrote in the other forums

Its going to be long so i'm going to break it down from my impression before it was launch, & the test drove i did.

Enjoy

IS250 offically launch at the the 8th Nov, I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch & a test drive on the 13th Nov.

Is an all new alloy V6 2.5L, from memory is 158kw & 260Nm

I know these are just some of the feature you won't get in 3 series & C Class.

*6-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift gear change
*10 airbags as standard, including first-in-segment double knee airbag
*Radar-controlled Pre-crash Safety System (PCS) which featured in Beyond Tomorrow with a S-Class
*Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
*Intelligent Adaptive Front Lighting System (I-AFS)
*Adaptive Speedo (Where it change colour according to speed)
*Complete Keyless entry & engine start. (You can have your keys in your pocket & still start & stop the engine)
*Mark Levinson 300w 7.1 Channal audio system with 14 Speakers power by 10-channel amplifier.

On the note with the airbags, Lexus is the only brand have the Twin-chamber for the passenger & the side curtain airbag is from the chair & not from the door.

With the twin chamber, it will minimise the impact on your face, so you won't end up with a broken nose or bruised face. And the reason for the side curtain airbags from the edge of seats are because it won't impact on the passenger's rip, & causes minor damage, which you can get the door's release version.




The Mark Levinson system included a double din Sat/Nav, which plays mp3, dvd, & also control all your phone stuff with a in build bluetooth car kit. So you really just jump into your car & everything is hooked up. It also a 6 Disc DVD stacker for the Aussie spec, while the Jap & U.S get the internal Hard Drive.

The Sat/Nav also tell you the closest restaurant with info like menu & average cost of a meal....etc & you can just press the dial button & it will call up that restaurant via the bluetooth car kit. I know on the RX330 it comes with a revise camera, but i'm not sure about the IS250. I'll find out this sunday hehehee

Well the test drive was good, the car was better then I was expected, one of my mate went with me as well, & he bought along his brand new E90 320i. He feels embarrassed after the demo & test drive. So funny.

The IS250 have so much features, lots of them are not even listed in their website & broaches, & the quality finish is better then the E90 3 series, as we park them side by side to compare.

The aggressive look in real life is certainly a match to the E90, the drive is exceptional as it got 6 Speed automatic with F1 paddle shift behind the steering wheel & your normal gear tip shift. It will shift the gear without delay, & it also hold the gear at redline. I would say the power feel similar to my FTO on the road, & the handling too, but without my bum feeling every lumps & bums on the road.

I took it to some of the worst Rd I know in the area, & I just can't feel them. Even with my Bora, I can still feel a bit of roughness on the same road, & the IS250 was riding on 18" and 40 profiles tyres. So on the luxso pack which comes with 17" & 45 profiles would run heaps better.

The sat/nav does everything like the RX, GS & LS model, & it also now feature a radar detection which give you a 3D view of where your car going to be on the touch screen when you revise parking your car.

Overall the interior is what a entry level “prestigeâ€

You should apply for a job with wheels mag Kev

ahahhah thats what everybody said, as I've done a lot of review in different forums, but i type Chingrish So only you guys will understand it ahhahahaa

yeah, its ironic how yr mrss is a english teacher as well! LEARN ENGLISH BRO!

Actually i was a kindergarden teacher, so my standard is good enough for your kids

BigKev "Spreading the love of Chingrish to your next generation"