AIMS: Lexus recovery starts here

Super-sharp pricing on new IS350 shocks luxury market, as Lexus aims to boost sales among performance prestige car buyers
prestige new cars  » Get the best price on a new Lexus

After a forgettable sales month in September, Lexus shocked the luxury car market at the Sydney motor show today by announcing a new performance V6 that undercuts the German opposition by between $20,000 and $30,000.

Indeed, all three models in the new IS350 sedan range limbo under the starting price of the nearest competitor – and outgun the performance six-cylinder Germans in the 0-100km/h dash. Starting at $64,800, the IS350 Prestige is only $8000 dearer than a regular IS250 model and comes with navigation, leather upholstery, metallic paint, Bluetooth phone connection and 17-inch alloy wheels. An F-Sport edition with 18-inch charcoal wheels and carbon-fibre interior and other enhancements brings the price to $71,800 while the top of the IS350 range is $81,300.

The nearest German rival, the Audi A4 3.2 V6 is $88,000, the Mercedes-Benz C300 is $90,000 and the BMW 335i $110,000.

Although the BMW is turbocharged and has more torque, the IS350 has more power and is faster from 0-100km/h with a time of 5.6 seconds.

Lexus Australia Tony Cramb says IS350 and the F-Sport sub-brand are important steps for Lexus Australia.

"We're extremely happy to be able to get the IS350 here at this price," said Cramb. "We've been working hard for a long time to get the car here at the price we've achieved and we think this will really give the IS another boost.

"F-Sport adds another dimension to our brand. Australian buyers are interested in sportier versions of our cars and this will help bring younger buyers to the brand."

Lexus had a tough month in September, with sales down 38 per cent in a market that was up 9 per cent. In particular, IS250 sales took a hit -- down 40 per cent – although year to date IS250 sales are tracking with the industry, up 15 per cent.

"We're confident this is the type of car that will put Lexus on the shopping list for a lot of performance prestige customers," he said. "This car basically plugs the gap between the IS250 and our flagship model, the IS-F."

For our full coverage of the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney visit our minisite at carsales.com.au/aims

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site.