If you feel your Lexus IS250 is lacking attitude and you don't wish to stump up the $130,000 or so for an IS-F, then the Toyota's prestige offshoot might have a palatable answer.
Calculated to add value in seriously troubled times, the new, downpriced IS250 Sports Package is based on the Prestige version. It not only sharpens up the looks and throws in a few internal titillations, but adds extra verve to the handling of the little Lexus.
The IS250 Sports Package brings a set of five-spoke 18-inch alloys, sports suspension, alloy floor pedals and satellite navigation, and is available in six-speed manual (recently revised to give better shift action) or six-speed sequential auto form.
The Sports Package also brings "leather-accented" seats as an upgrade over the alcantara trim used previously.
Lexus says the new Sports Package is significantly cheaper than it was. With the manual version selling at an RRP of $62,990 and the auto version at $65,490 it compares favourably with the previous Sports grade auto that was tagged with an RRP of $71,276.
"With the introduction of our IS F performance sedan, we've seen growing demand for sports-oriented Lexus models, and the IS 250 Sport satisfies this demand," said Lexus chief executive John Roca.
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