Lexus has some changes in store for most of its model lineup in 2009, though there doesn't appear to be anything in store for enthusiast drivers to rejoice over. Also cause for jeers instead of cheers: price increases from .8 to 1.1 percent, depending on model. The IS 250 and 350 do get revised suspension and steering tuning to go with exterior styling tweaks and the revised interior carries a new center cluster and an off switch for the VDIM stability control. The IS F über-IS also gets a new interior rendered in terra cotta and black that's termed "sporty."
The only news in the GS department is a 40% increase in trunk space for the GS 450h hybrid, which sounds fantastic but only amounts to 10.6 total cubic feet. The big LS sedans stay largely the same, though some new variants join the party. AWD versions of the LS 460 and LS 460 L tuck a Torsen differential onto the transmission's output shaft, which then marshalls torque between front and rear axles. Slick. The AWD LSes come standard with air suspension, variable-ratio steering, and adaptive suspension. Hit the jump for the full press release with detailed pricing info.
[Source: Toyota]
September. 5, 2008 - Torrance, CA. - Lexus announced Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) today for the 2009 IS 250 and IS 350 luxury sport sedans, IS F high-performance luxury sport sedan, ES 350 luxury sedan, GS 350 and GS 460 luxury sport sedans, GS 450h luxury hybrid sport sedan, LS 460 and LS 460 L premium luxury sedans, the recently added LS 460 and LS 460 L all-wheel drive versions, and the LS 600h L premium hybrid luxury sedan.
The 2009 IS 250 and IS 350 will receive significant enhancements to both its exterior and interior. Exterior changes include newly designed 17- and 18-inch wheel, front and rear bumpers, a revised front grille, and side rear-view mirrors with incorporated turn signals. The interior will receive a newly designed center cluster and foldable rear headrests.
Mechanically, both the IS 250 and IS 350 receive a revised suspension and steering tuning, further enhancing the cars' handling. In addition, the IS 250 will come standard with Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) with a cutoff switch, which had been available only on the IS 350. The 2009 IS 250 manual and automatic, IS 250 all-wheel drive, and IS 350 receive a 0.8-1.0 percent increase or $300. The IS 250 with a manual transmission will carry a base MSRP of $31,155, the IS 250 with an automatic transmission will have a base MSRP of $32,325, the IS 250 all-wheel drive will carry a base MSRP of $34,785 and the IS 350 will have a base MSRP of $36,605.
Launched earlier this year, the Lexus IS F also will receive a few enhancements for the 2009 model year. New features include a revised instrument panel cluster design, illuminated mirror controls, a new open/close moonroof switch, and a piano-black center-cluster finish for navigation-equipped vehicles. A sporty new terra cotta and black two-tone interior will also be offered in 2009. The IS F will have a base MSRP of $56,610, an increase of 1.1 percent or $610.
The 2009 ES 350 will carry over unchanged with a base MSRP of $34,320, an increase of 0.6 percent or $200.
The 2009 GS 350, GS 350 all-wheel drive, and GS 460 luxury sport sedans carry over unchanged, with each receiving a 0.6-0.7 percent increase or $300. The GS 350 will have a base MSRP of $44,850, the GS 350 all-wheel drive will be $46,800, and the GS 460 will be $53,320. The 2009 GS 450h hybrid luxury sport sedan receives an increase in trunk capacity of more than 40 percent, yielding 10.6 cu. ft. of space. It will have a base MSRP of $56,400, an increase of 1.1 percent or $600.
The 2009 LS 460 and LS 460 L luxury sedans carry over with the addition of front-passenger-seat memory. The LS 460 will have a base MSRP of $63,675, an increase of 1.2 percent or $775; the LS 460 L will have a base MSRP of $73,585, an increase of 0.9 percent or $685.
The newest additions to the LS lineup are the all-wheel drive versions of the LS 460 and LS 460 L, and they will carry base MSRPs of $67,200 and $77,110, respectively. The AWD system features a highly compact center TORSEN® Limited-Slip Differential (LSD) that distributes drive torque between the front and rear wheels. In addition to the luxury, convenience and safety features found on the current LS 460, both AWD versions will come standard with air suspension, Variable Gear-Ratio Steering (VGRS), and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS).
The 2009 LS 600h L flagship hybrid luxury sedan adds front-passenger-seat memory to a long list of luxury features and will have a base MSRP of $105,885, an increase of 0.9 percent or $985.
The MSRP does not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $825.
