Lexus IS 250C in demand

It may be the middle of winter but you wouldn't know it, judging by the sales of the new Lexus convertible, the IS 250C. Lexus Australia chief John Roca confirmed to the Carsales Network that the car would be on sale locally by late July but is already sold out for the first three months.

"Pre-orders tell us we're in better shape with that car than we are on the RX, it's about three months (wait) and we're only getting 50 a month," Roca said. "Given that the IS is our volume car, we haven't got enough cars."

With its official launch date almost upon us, the first clear details of the new IS 250C have been revealed. The British arm of Lexus has made the car's specifications public ahead of its global debut -- and ahead of the local division.

As expected, the car will be powered by the same 2.5-litre V6 featured in the IS 250 sedan that produces 153kW at 6400revs and 252Nm at 4800revs. The only gearbox option is a six-speed automatic.

Although Lexus Australia is playing its pricing cards close to its chest, based on UK numbers expect the IS 250C to sit above the sedan range with a starting price above $80,000.

Lexus UK is offering two model grades, SE-I and SE-L; a similar line-up is expected here. Both variants feature six-airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, stability control and traction control safety features. There is also an eight-speaker audio system with six-CD changer, USB and auxiliary inputs as standard on both models.

The SE-L features full map navigation package that includes Bluetooth and rear park assist monitor. The range-topping model also receives semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated front seats, wood trim and HID headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System.

Roca is confident that the new model will be an important addition to the IS range. He said interest in the car has been high since it appeared at last year's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.

"That car is going very, very strongly," he said. "We featured that car at the Sydney Motor Show and ever since then we've had a lot of inquiry with that car; it's been on the website as well.

"Put it this way, if you compare it to IS F, we thought at 12 a month the sales plan would be strong and we could easily sell 20 a month of those now. So 50 convertibles, as far as I'm concerned, will be no drama."

Roca is so confident in the car he believes it can take the place of the SC430 as the brand's key convertible model. It is looking increasing unlikely the SC430 will be replaced after its model life ends in 2011, given its underwhelming sales record.

"I think it's the answer to SC," Roca said.

He also believes the folding hardtop gives the car the ability to compete against both coupe and convertible models from the brand's major rivals -- including BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

"I guess we've got the coupe and convertible in the one car. We've got the best of both worlds," he said.

But despite that, and the success of the IS F sedan, he admitted a high-performance F version of the car is unlikely.

"Not at this stage," Roca admitted, when asked if an F version was on the cards. "TMC are very conservative, as you know, so they want to wait and see what IS F does. I think it's doing better than they expected it to, to be honest; it's certainly doing a lot better than we thought it would."

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