This Week:

• TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION and PSA PEUGEOT CITROËN Agree to Enter a Cooperation on Joint Development and Production of Small Cars
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• The CleanEnergy WorldTour 2001 comes to California
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• Ford Motor Company Appoints Executives To Brand, Finance Roles
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• First half of 2001: Audi even better than expected
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• Lexus Introduces Two New IS 300 Models
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• The leading brand in Western Europe, Renault, along with Dacia and Samsung, increased first half 2001 unit sales by 11.6% in the rest of the world.
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• Cadillac Forms A New, Stronger Professional Vehicle Team
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• Chrysler Group Announces Evolution of Product Creation Process
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• Hayes Lemmerz Announces Plans to Close Petersburg Facility
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• Oracle and Wingcast Form Strategic Alliance to Drive Next-Generation Wireless Services for Cars
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News of  July 18, 2001

Lexus Introduces Two New IS 300 Models

IS 300 SportCross and New Five-Speed Manual Transmission Sport Sedan to Arrive In August

Lexus IS 300

Photo: Lexus

TORRANCE, Calif. - A year after the successful launch of Lexus' first compact sport sedan, the luxury carmaker will introduce two new versions of the IS 300 for 2002: the versatile IS 300 SportCross and an IS 300 sedan featuring a five-speed manual transmission.  Both new IS 300 models will be available next month.

The Lexus IS 300 sedan, currently on the market, offers a compelling challenge to European sport sedans, packaging a high-performance powertrain, rear-drive chassis layout, and a sports-car inspired interior in a taut, wedge-shaped body.  For 2002, the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the automatic sedan remains at the current price of $30,805.

Lexus will offer the 2002 IS 300 sedan equipped with the five-speed manual transmission as a separate model that will also feature slightly firmer suspension tuning than the automatic model.  MSRP for this new model will be $29,435.  The crisply shifting five-speed manual transmission will satisfy drivers who prefer more control over the 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine's broad power band.  The IS 300 engine, also shared with the larger GS 300 performance/luxury sedan, produces 215 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 218 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 3,800 rpm.  The engine delivers both high-revving power and strong low-end and mid-range torque, due in large part to Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i).

Lexus expects to sell 1,600 during the remainder of 2001 with a projected 4,800 units sold in the following years.

Not A Sedan, Not A Wagon - Something In Between

The Lexus IS 300 SportCross blurs the lines between body types, offering a new silhouette that admittedly places unique design ahead of maximum utility. "We wanted to preserve the image of dynamic performance with the IS 300 SportCross," says Nobuaki Katayama, chief engineer for the car.  "We felt that a conventional wagon body would detract from that image, and on the other hand we also knew that IS 300 customers were less inclined to require the full utility of a boxy shape."

The IS 300 SportCross uses the hood, front fenders and front doors from the IS 300 sedan.  The roof, rear quarter panels, rear doors and rear side glass are all unique to the SportCross.  The tailgate area shares no parts with the sedan, but does feature the same taillight design.  A subtle rear roof spoiler adds a touch of flair to the car's profile.

Sharing the same engine and five-speed automatic transmission as the IS 300 sedan, the SportCross also features the racing-inspired E-Shift steering wheel shifting controls, as featured on the IS 300 and larger GS 300 performance/luxury sedan.  The five-speed manual transmission will not be available in the IS 300 SportCross.

(July 16, 2001)

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