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Exterior Design
The IS 350C's exterior design has its lineage
in the IS sedan but possesses its own dynamic styling, including unique
characteristics when interchanging between convertible and coupe configurations.
With the exception of the hood, all other body panels have been specifically
designed to blend seamlessly with the three-panel folding roof.
The
convex shoulder lines distinguish the convertible's profile, while the top-up
configuration provides a sweeping cabin silhouette. With the top down, the
belt-line draws up around the rear deck lid, providing a muscular look.
In the front, hood lines flow into a unique chrome grille shape, then continue
down into an air inlet before flowing outward past the more distinctive
elliptical fog lamp design.
The rear view features a clean, continuous
design, with flowing bumper corners and a strong bumper shape that flows inward
towards the exhaust. The combination taillamp clusters feature LED lights and
two distinct horizontal lines that emphasize breadth, while the LED brake light
integrated within the standard rear spoiler imparts a sporty impression.
The IS convertible has a best-in-class 0.29 drag coefficient (Cd). This is
accomplished with the help of underbody covers below the engine (with
aerodynamic steps), the full floor, and fuel-tank covers, as well as a
rear-floor diffuser with vertical fin and airfoil. Other areas that contribute
to the low Cd include the design shape of the outer mirrors, high-mount stop
lamps, and the rear taillamps. Fender fairings before the front and rear tires
reduce airflow into the wheel house, improving aero characteristics and reducing
air turbulence.
Interior Design
The IS convertible interior
maintains the luxury touch points associated with the IS sport sedans, while
additional comfort and entertainment features provide a consistent atmosphere
regardless of top configuration. Special attention was given to providing an
attractive interior design when viewing the convertible externally. The door and
side trim is fashioned to create continuity and continuous flow from front to
back.
A four-seat configuration provides each passenger with their own
comfort space, and the rear-seat console enhances the rear-passenger amenities
with cup holders and storage. Soft padding on the sides of the console and the
outer trim areas improve comfort. The rear headrests are retractable for
improved visibility and the lever located on the front of the rear console can
easily be accessed from the driver's seat. Rear-seat comfort is enhanced by
shifting seat position inboard, providing for sizeable headroom.
Ten-way
adjustable power front seats, including power lumbar support are standard, and
the available heated/ventilated function has a heating range that includes the
shoulder areas and increases airflow in ventilation function. Front-seat backs
are scaled inward, and slim, leather-trimmed seat-back pockets help to maximize
rear-seat legroom.
The gauge cluster is similar to that of the IS sedan,
but there are some additions on the IS convertible for style and function. The
convertible features a high-contrast multi-information LCD and decreased
surface-glass transmittance for enhance visibility when the top is down. The
multi-information display includes status of the hardtop while in
transformation, providing a bar graph showing its progress. It also shows a
warning to inform the driver if the roof is not completely open/closed, a rear
obstacle may impede proper open/close operation, or the open/close function is
not available while the vehicle is in motion. Metallic trim around the two main
gauges contribute to a premium look.
The interior adopts recycled
materials in 13 various areas including door and side trim.
Chassis
and Suspension
The convertible's three-piece hardtop provides
open-air freedom with the top down through the operation of a convenient single
switch. Constructed primarily of lightweight aluminum, the hardtop also provides
surprising storage space but with low noise and increased security not typically
found in soft-top convertibles. In addition, the top completely retracts with no
elements remaining in view.
The four-link
roof assembly, also made of aluminum for a lightweight design, provides smooth
even movement. Engineered to operate in an easy, efficient manner, each
component is motor driven with detection switches, allowing the control unit to
know their exact position at all times. In addition to the two main roof panels
being constructed of light-weight aluminum, the back window's reinforced glass
construction also lends itself to reduced weight. Weather-strip changes in areas
around the doors and windows ensure tight seals.
A roof-speed
brake-control system decreases the roof speed especially as it approaches the
end of the closing operation in either direction, ensuring an elegant and quiet
movement. On models equipped with available Intuitive Park Assist (IPA), sonar
sensors in the rear bumper will stop the movement of the luggage door at the
start of operation if it detects an obstacle will interfere. Also, a visual
warning will appear on the instrument panel if a detected obstacle may soon
interfere with top operation.
When the IS convertible's top is opened or
closed, the power windows will automatically lower if in the closed position,
and raise back up when the operating switch is held. Also, when the top is up,
the door windows automatically lower 15 mm when the door opens, and then raise
back into a fully closed position when the door closes. This ensures the doors'
clean open/close function while also maintaining a tight seal around the glass.
The aluminum hardtop features an automatic front lock assembly that provides the
interior security not found in soft-top convertibles. When the top is stowed in
the down position in the rear of the IS convertible, the lock assembly is
engaged to keep the panel in a fixed, stable position.
The IS
convertible's body structure has excellent rigidity and strength, achieved by
effective structural changes and additions to the existing IS sedan platform.
Areas that received modifications or additions include the rocker area; A and B
pillar under structure; side collision crossmember, and upper and rear-floor
crossmembers. In addition, underfloor braces were added both in the front and
the rear. Additional bracing was implemented to help provide excellent handling
control, ride comfort and body durability while also minimizing weight gain.
The transformation to a convertible also required reevaluation of noise,
vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics in order to meet Lexus standards.
All body and chassis revisions went through extensive testing to ensure that the
IS 250C and IS 350C have nearly identical NVH characteristics as the IS sedans.
High-rigidity damping materials and asphalt sheets were added to help minimize
vibration effects. Redesigned rear-suspension-mount bushings help reduce noise
and vibration associated with the changes in body characteristics from a sedan
to a convertible. Additional sound absorption and insulation materials were
optimally positioned to create a quiet, comfortable cabin.
The IS
convertible features two wheels unique from the IS sedan line up. Standard
17-inch wheels utilize two multi-layered five-spoke patterns for a contemporary
10-spoke design with a clean liquid-graphite finish. Optional 18-inch wheels
have an athletic five-spoke design with asymmetrical changes in shape and a
liquid-graphite finish. Both feature the tire pressure monitor system found on
the sedan models. In addition to standard all-season tires, an optional 18-inch
wheel with run-flat tire is available without a spare, adding to the available
luggage space.
The IS 350C provides a consistent blend of driving
performance and comfort in either convertible or coupe configuration. They share
common double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension systems with the IS
sport sedan models.
Engineers tuned and optimized specific features for
the convertible including the double-wishbone front suspension for handling
control and ride comfort; the torsional rigidity of the suspension bushings, the
spring constant on the coil springs, and the shock absorber damping force; the
stabilizer shape and the Electric Power Steering (EPS) gear ratio for control;
the suspension bushings, coil springs and shock-damping force of the multi-link
rear suspension; and a lowered rear-suspension tower with enhanced rigidity to
help provide rear control, linear yaw response and improved trunk space.
Standard Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management System (VDIM) governs all of the
vehicle's dynamic handling systems - the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake
Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) -
employing them collectively and seamlessly to make corrections while helping
provide higher dynamic capability. VDIM also interfaces with the electronic
throttle control system. The IS convertible features large, ventilated
four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and
BA. The IS 350C is equipped with 13.15-inch front and 12.20-inch rear rotors
with aluminum four-piston front calipers to aid in heat dissipation and stopping
power and reduce unsprung weight. The IS 250C has 11.65-inch front and
12.20-inch rear rotors.
Lexus Safety and Security
Passive-safety technology begins with a number of body-structure changes
integrated in the IS 250C and IS 350C to help augment strength and torsional rigidity. Seatbelt pre-tensioners
and force limiters are used for the front seats, while the rear seats adopt
emergency locking retractor seatbelts with an automatic locking retractor.
In addition to the dual-front airbags, the Lexus Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) for the IS convertible includes front-seat-mounted head and torso
side airbags, and knee airbags for both the driver and the front passenger. The
front-passenger airbag features two chambers, creating an indentation in the
center impact area that helps to provide overall occupant protection.
Luxury / Comfort / Convenience
The IS convertible emphasizes easy
access and rear-seat comfort. In addition to front doors that are 11.8 inches
longer than the IS sedans, two convenient fold-forward lock-release levers are
standard on both sides of the front passenger seats, making it easier to operate
from any location inside the vehicle. The passenger seat features a power slide
button on the top of the seatback to ease rear seat ingress/egress. An available
automatic one-touch, easy-entry power-seat mechanism provides even easier egress
and ingress through quick-acting, front-seat fold-and-slide activation. The two
passenger doors also have three open-stopping positions (rather than the normal
two) to add convenience in various parking situations. The IS convertible also
is equipped with a standard power tilt and telescoping steering column to help
the driver quickly get into a comfortable position.
The IS convertible's
air conditioning system automatically adjusts for the outside temperature when
the top is lowered, improving interior temperature consistency and comfort. The
system adjusts the air outlets, temperature and air flow exiting the outlets.
The airflow volume adjusts to outside temperature and vehicle speed, while the
temperature control adjusts to outside temperature, amount of sunlight and
vehicle speed. The system also includes a pollen filter and variable-control
compressor.
The standard SmartAccess keyless entry and
push-button-start/stop allows the driver to keep the access key fob in a pocket
or purse. The standard HomeLink programmable garage door opener also operates
home security devices and other systems.
Standard Hill-start Assist
Control helps prevent the vehicle, whether equipped with an automatic or manual
transmission, from moving backward when the driver moves their foot from brake
pedal to the accelerator.
The standard Lexus Premium Audio System
features a six-disc, in-dash CD changer, eight speakers, integrated XM Radio
receiver (complimentary 90-day trial subscription included), Bluetooth hands
free phone capability and music streaming, and USB/iPod connectivity. An
equalizer system maintains the same acoustic field when the top is either open
or closed, compensating for the natural loss of bass sounds when open. When
connected to the USB port, the iPod can be controlled through the audio system
or steering wheel controls, while information such as names for the artist,
track and album is displayed on the headunit or navigation screen.
Luxury Options
Lexus' Hard-Disk Drive (HDD) navigation system is
available on the IS convertible and is complete with a seven-inch VGA
touch-screen, and back-up camera. The navigation system also includes Voice
Command casual-language voice recognition system. With Voice Command users avoid
having to speak commands in a specific order. The Voice Command system also
works to control many functions of the audio system, heating and air
conditioning, and the navigation system.
Like all Lexus models, the IS convertible offers
a Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio system which is available in
conjunction with the optional navigation system. This 12-speaker audio system
features discrete 5.1 multi-channel playback with 5.1-channel speaker
architecture. Its nine amplifier channels provide 270 watts total output at 0.1
percent total harmonic distortion (THD). From 20-20,000Hz, the Mark Levinson
system plays conventional CDs and specially encoded DVD audio and DVD video
discs, plus MP3/WMA-formatted CD-R/RW and DVD-R/RW. DVD movies can be viewed on
the optional navigation system's color touch screen when the parking brake is
engaged.
The optional Intuitive Park Assist (IPA) system uses ultrasonic
sensors to detect objects close to the car's front and rear bumpers, alerting
the driver and showing distance to objects in the multi-information display
within the speedometer. When equipped with the optional navigation system,
information on objects detected in the rear are shown in greater detail on that
system's display via the backup camera.
The optional Pre-Collision System
(PCS) is packaged with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which uses millimeter-wave
radar to measure and help maintain a set distance from a vehicle traveling
ahead. PCS relies on the radar sensor to detect obstacles in front of the car,
and a PCS computer with sensor inputs from vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw
rate is designed to determine whether a collision is unavoidable. In such a
situation, PCS alerts the driver via sound and visual warnings while
preemptively retracting front seat belts and pre-initializing BA so that
increased braking will be applied the instant the driver depresses the pedal.
The IS convertible also offers a telematics system, Lexus Enform with Safety
Connect, available by subscription. Safety Connect is standard on all vehicles
while Lexus Enform with Safety Connect is on all vehicles equipped with the
optional Navigation system. Complimentary one-year trial subscriptions are
included on all purchases of new Lexus vehicles equipped with these features.
The Lexus Enform and the Safety Connect response centers operate 24 hours a day,
7 days a week-every day of the year.
Lexus Enform vehicles are factory
ready for subscriptions to a variety of innovative XM services including XM
NavTraffic, XM NavWeather and XM Sports and Stocks services. XM services require
separate XM subscriptions. The XM Sports and Stocks service is included with an
XM Radio subscription. All XM services offer complimentary 90-day trial
subscriptions.
F Sport Performance Accessories Available for IS
Convertible
The IS convertible F Sport Performance Accessories
include performance enhancing parts such as 19-inch forged alloy wheels, brake
upgrades, suspension systems, air intake, exhaust systems and more.
F Sport
Performance Accessories by Lexus U.S.A. are engineered by Toyota Racing
Development (TRD). When installed by an authorized dealer, the accessories are
fully warranted for 12 months or for the balance of the new car warranty,
whichever is greater.
Lexus IS 350C: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications