I'm a massive fan of EV technology and pretty-much anything that utilises aspects of it. When it comes to cars I prefer internal combustion engines, but it's the technology and science that goes into battery power that intrigues me. I love the whirr of an electric battery in operation and the constant strides to decrease range anxieties. Recently I had the pleasure of bringing a very stylish hybrid vehicle from Dublin to Galway and back again. I'm talking about the attractive Lexus IS300h F-Sport.
F-Sport is a trim. It doesn't mean that you’re getting more power, but it does mean that you're getting a better looking Lexus than the already good-looking model it stems from. The IS300h F-Sport that I drove isn't sluggish though, it gives a very credible 223bhp. It also means that you’re getting some of the styling from the IS F high performance version.
The body of my test car includes the F-Sport grille and LED fog lights. This trim also contains 18-inch alloys, and inside you will find LFA-style instruments. There’s no arguing that this is a great looking car. Other features on this car include a lower front spoiler with prominent front brake cooling ducts, and the Nike-style LEDs are a great touch.
Inside is a very comfortable place. The infotainment system is displayed in a step-up centre which is pleasing to the eye. I am also a fan of the in-built Lexus clock. The seats are comfortable, and there are many driving positions. The only negative for me is that there wasn't enough scope when it came to manoeuvring the steering wheel position. The steering is responsive though and this coupled with the suspension allows this car to deal nicely with bumps.
Lexus presents its hybrid-ness in a cooler way than its brothers in Toyota, simply because it's a higher-end make that needs to impress a more affluent market. The whirring noise that comes when you drive a vehicle with an electric motor is not for everybody. Personally, I love it. To me the noise is a reminder of the technology that's in use in the machine.
As we all know, hybrid technology serves a few main purposes. Firstly, it's better for the environment, because when the battery power kicks in it stops the petrol engine for that period of time – which means less CO2 emissions being burned (Lexus figures say that the IS300h can burn as little as 99g/CO2 per kilometre). The 2.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet is efficient too. Using the hybrid system means that you are receiving as good a fuel economy as you would get from even some of the diesel offerings available from its rivals, the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4.
When you press the start button in this car the silence is deafening. There’s no noise, and it’s pretty surreal at first. The car starts off using the electric power supply, and generally the battery powers the car at lower speeds when the driver’s foot is pressing only slightly on the accelerator. The only problem with this is that it flicks to the petrol engine too quickly – as in, if you even put a tiny bit more pressure than needed on the accelerator, it switches off the battery. Despite this, the petrol engine is very quiet too.
On my drive to Galway I found this to be a seamless road car. It accelerates smoothly, and the cabin is so refined and sound-proofed that it’s hard not to enjoy a long journey in this. The 223bhp engine offers 0-100km/h in 8.4 seconds, which is not slow, but for some reason it feels like it takes longer than that.
In the past I would have always admired the Lexus IS from afar, but I’d have always preferred the BMW 3 Series or the Audi A4. Now I’m not too sure. The quality of this machine is high, and compared to its rivals, it’s well priced. Entry level prices for the IS300h start at just under €38,000. If you opt for the F-Sport you will be looking at starting prices of €43,260. The question now is whether or not Lexus has what it takes to nudge some customers from their German rivals – which could be done if more people sign-up for test drives.
