Featuring a three-panel roof that opens in just 21 seconds, the new IS250C and IS 350C provide the spirited sophistication of a convertible and thesporty styling of a coupe. While the hood, headlamps, door handles andmirrors are common to the exterior of the IS sedans, all other body panelshave been designed to blend seamlessly with the new three-panel aluminumfolding roof.

Powered by the same powertrain as the IS sedans, the IS 250C features a2.5-liter, 204-hp V6 mated to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatictransmission; the IS 350C contains a 3.5-liter, 306-hp with a six-speedautomatic. Revisions to the body structure and suspension provide torsionalstiffness and ride comfort with the top down, and low Lexus-like Noise,Vibration and Harshness (NVH) on par with the IS sedan when in coupeconfiguration.

The three-panel roof structure is completely constructed of lightweightaluminum that helps achieve smooth, quiet retraction. Unlike manyretractable-roof mechanisms that increase in speed due to the weight of thestructure, a unique roof-brake mechanism slows the closing roof-panels as theyapproach the windscreen area, ensuring easy retraction just before closure.In addition, the top completely retracts with no elements remaining in view.The three-panel folding aluminum roof also helps provide compact packaging andconvenient luggage space.

The IS 250C and IS 350C's new exterior design provides dynamic, uniquestyling when interchanging between convertible and coupe configurations. Asleek aerodynamic design and a collection of underbody covers help achieve itslowest possible drag coefficient -- 0.29 Cd versus the IS sedan's 0.27 Cd-- while creating minimal wind turbulence on the cabin. An acoustic glasswindshield, along with optimized seals on the roof, door and window panels,contributes to lower wind-noise levels.

A new fog-lamp design is integrated in the revised front air dam. Therear overhang increases by two inches to improve luggage space, providingstorage for two golf bags in coupe configuration and one in a convertible.New combination tail-lamp clusters feature LED lights; a LED brake light isintegrated within the standard rear spoiler.

The interior maintains the innovation and luxury touch points associatedwith the IS sport sedans, while new comfort and entertainment features providea consistent atmosphere regardless of top configuration. Instrument gaugeshave been revised to help increase visibility during top-down driving, and theclimate-control system has a speed-sensitive control feature thatautomatically increases air flow when the top is down while also automaticallyadjusting to vehicle speed.

The sound system has an equalizer-tuning feature that provides consistentaudio whether the top is up or down, and it also automatically adapts to thenatural loss of bass when the top is down.

With a four-seat configuration, the IS 250C and IS 350C's rear seatsfeature a center console with built-in cup holders. In addition to frontdoors that are 11.8 inches longer than the IS sedans, a new one-touchautomatic mechanism provides easier egress and ingress through quick-acting,front-seat fold-and-slide activation. Rear-seat comfort is enhanced byshifting seat position inboard, providing improved headroom. The front seatbacks are configured to also provide better rear-seat legroom.

All body and chassis revisions have gone through extensive testing toensure that the IS 250C and IS 350C have nearly identical NVH characteristicsas the IS sedans, while still providing a consistent blend of drivingperformance and comfort in convertible or coupe configuration. They sharecommon double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension systems with theIS sport sedan models.

A number of body-structure changes have been integrated in the IS 250C andIS 350C to augment strength, roll-over protection and torsional rigidity.Active safety features from the IS sedans transfer as well, including VehicleDynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), and anavailable Pre-Collision System (PCS). The Safety Restraint System (SRS) willinclude the twin-chamber passenger airbag, while a new enlarged seat-mountedside airbag helps provide additional protection in certain side-impactscenarios. The convertible body shell has additional energy absorbingside-impact materials that also help protect front and rear passengers.

SOURCE Lexus