Car Launches

Can a luxury sport sedan like the Lexus IS be much more sporty? More aggressive looking without losing its luxurious styling? More luxurious inside without losing its sporty feel? More appealing to those in the market for luxury and sport in sedans? Lexus Philippines answers these questions at the launch of the 2017 Lexus IS.

Back in 2013, the third generation Lexus IS was launched in Manila . . . and immediately became Lexus Manila's biggest hits selling over 400 units since.

Apparently many were enamored by the Lexus's sporty compact luxury sedan, its sporty styling, the powerful 3.5 liter liter engine mated to one of the smoothest shifting 8-speed automatic transmission the latest in in-cabin technology.

Lexus Manila is looking to build on the success of the IS Series with the launch of the 2017 edition that features an even more sporty design.

Held at the Lexus Showroom at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, the launch drew an SRO crowd of motoring journalist types, Lexus and Toyota bigwigs, and more importantly, the Lexus clientelle and target market.

Many may have come for the cocktails, others for the acoustic entertainment, perhaps even the fashion show . . . but surely all have come to be among the first to see the latest iteration of the Lexus IS.

The introduction and welcome speeches are thankfully brief, the mandatory toast short and sweet, and then it is time to showcase the 2017 IS 350 and IS 350 FSport.

The top honchos of Lexus Manila are excited about the crowd's reception to the even more sporty IS Series, even taking time to personally point out the new interior features and amenities of the latest Lexus IS to guests.

DANNY ISLA
President
Lexus Manila, Inc.

"We have done some cosmetic changes. If you will notice, the fascia of new IS350 is more dynamic, more sophisticated and more aggressive, and it looks sportier than ever. On top of that, we've also improved the rear portion. We've changed the tail lapse and we've added some nice looking tail pipes at the rear. In the interior, we've added some luxury touches, in terms of the stitches in the leather, and few instrumentation design. And of course, we maintained the 3.5L engine with almost 300 horsepower in a kind of package, I think is the best package- value wise, in its class and category. The IS is that, we hinged to a market that is younger, because it's a self-driven car, it's sportier and the benefit of the features that is in the car is for the benefit of the driver. It should be driven by the owner. The new IS right now is just recently launched globally, so we still do not know what is the market reaction but for the Philippines, I can see that there's quite a good reaction in terms of attraction and affinity to the brand. Many people are coming over. The owners of the previous IS350 are coming over to compare the current model to the new model."

The new IS 350 sports larger intakes . . . more pronounced spindle grille, edgy Daytime Running Lights, a reshaped hood, 10-spoke 17-inch wheels, triple-layered L-shaped LED taillights . . . rectangular exhaust tips . . . all adding to a more aggressive look.

The F-Sport stands out with the exclusive 3-dimensional F-mesh patterned grille in jet black metallic coating . . . and the integrated brake ducts.

The inside features and amenities have also been upgraded . . .with larger multimedia display, redesigned speedometer, tachometer and analog clock, bigger leather-wrapped palm rest with stitching.

Lexus Manila executives are looking to replicate or exceed the performance of the preceding IS Series with the upgraded version, both the IS 340 and the F-Sport

SPENCER YU
Marketing Director
Lexus Manila, Inc.

"We introduced the 2017 IS350 and the IS350 FSport. This is an updated model of the third generation IS which we introduced in 2013. We have some new designs, a new bumper, new designs - front and rear. We also have some added safety equipments and of course new technology that is always with any new Lexus car. The IS is the sport-compact luxury sedan of Lexus. IS actually means intelligent and sporty. This is the over-all concept of the car. The third generation IS we've introduced last June is a smashing success. Almost 450 cars have been sold in just three years. That's quite a significant figure for us."

There is an open invitation to car enthusiasts to visit the Lexus Manila showroom at the BGC to take a look at the upgraded IS series

DANNY ISLA
President
Lexus Manila, Inc.

"Please visit Lexus Manila Global City and there, you will see the beauty, the grandeur of the new IS350. Please drop by. Thank you very much"

From its reception at the formal launch into the local market, the Lexus IS appears to have answered in the affirmative the questions we raised earlier. But the real answer to those questions will only be made if it moves out of the Lexus showroom and onto the street in good numbers for its class.