Lexus IS 300h
Lexus IS 300h
Lexus IS 300h
Lexus IS 300h

Mar 06, 2013– Melbourne, Australia  (Techreleased) – Lexus’ all-new IS 300h will sit atop its rivals with the highest Green Vehicle Guide rating^ and the lowest CO2 emissions of all its luxury sedan rivals, including diesels, when it is released later this year.

The first ever hybrid in the IS range, IS 300h will produce just 113 grams of CO2 per kilometre and consume just 4.9 litres of fuel per 100km* (combined cycle) with a combined power output of 164kW from its petrol-electric drivetrain.

These figures are unmatched by all rival petrol, diesel or forthcoming hybrid vehicles in the segment.

In Europe, the IS 300h Eco model will be capable of delivering fuel consumption figures as low as 4.3 litres per 100km and sub-100g of CO2 emissions per kilometre.

The IS 300h is the first rear-wheel drive Lexus to have the new, highly efficient Atkinson Cycle 2.5-litre petrol electric/hybrid powertrain, which features a D-4S fuel injection system, dual VVT-i and Exhaust Gas Recirculation system.

The engine drives the rear wheels through an electronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and propels the IS 300h from 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds.

The hybrid battery is also positioned beneath the luggage deck board – a Lexus first – which contributes to sportier driving thanks to a lower centre of gravity and enhanced body rigidity.

The new position also allows for another Lexus first – a hybrid sedan with a 60:40 rear fold seat.

This packaging also ensures the IS 300h provides luggage capacity on par with that of petrol engine IS models.

Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley said the new IS 300h offered a compelling balance of performance and efficiency.

“The highly advanced drivetrain of the new IS 300h will reward drivers with excellent performance without penalising them with high fuel consumption and emissions figures,” Mr Hanley said.

“No other vehicle in the class delivers a CO2 figure as low as 113 grams.”

The IS 300h will be available in Luxury and F Sport grades, with the latter featuring exclusive suspension tuning and Electric Power Steering paired with Adaptive Variable Suspension.

The F Sport model will also include bespoke interior and exterior design elements.

Both IS 300h models will allow the driver to modify vehicle and powertrain behaviour by switching between five different drive modes via Drive Mode Select.

These include EV (petrol engine switched off), ECO (optimal fuel efficiency), Normal, SPORT (more aggressive throttle and transmission response settings) and F Sport unique SPORT+ (additionally adaptive suspension and steering tuning).

The all-new Lexus IS range will be launched in Australia later this year.

IS 300h engine specifications (figures based on pre-production model)
Engine type 2AR-FSE
Cylinders and arrangement 4 cylinders, in-line
Valve mechanism 16-valve DOHC with Dual VVT-i
Bore x stroke (mm) 90.0 x 98.0
Displacement (cm³) 2,494
Compression ratio 13.0:1
Fuel injection system EFI, D-4S with direct and port injection
Emission certification** EURO 5+ (WVTA countries and ECO grade
in non-WVTA countries)
Euro 5 (other grades in non-WVTA countries)
Fuel type Petrol
Combined max output (petrol electric) kW 164
Max power

(petrol only) kW/rpm

(electric only) kW

 

133 / 6,000

105

Max torque

(petrol only) Nm/rpm

(electric only) Nm

 

221 / 4,200-5,400

300