Lexus has cut the prices of its IS range by up to £1,057 for the 2009 model range, which goes on sale in the UK on November 15.

The Japanese manufacturer has also revised its 175bhp 2.2 diesel engine to emit 163g/km rather than the previous 168g/km, which moves it down a tax band, saving customers £25 a year.

Emissions from the 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine in the IS 250 are unchanged at 231g/km (manual) and 214g/km (automatic).

Lexus has also introduced a new three-grade trim structure for the 2009 IS range: SE, SE-I and SE-L.
The most notable upgrade is the provision of Lexus’s vehicle integrated dynamics management (VDIM) as standard on all models.

VDIM co-ordinates the operation of the car’s ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), traction control (TRC) and vehicle stability control (VSC) with the electric power steering (EPS), providing assistance as the car reaches its performance limits.

Also new to all models are folding rear headrests for better rearward vision when the back seats are unoccupied.

Cellensia suede-effect upholstery is fitted to the entry level SE models, while the new SE-I versions build on the current SE grade with the addition of front and rear parking sensors.

For the top-of-the range IS 250 and 220d SE-L models, 18-inch alloy wheels become a standard feature. These and the 17-inch rims featured on the SE-I versions both have a new design.

New 2009 Lexus IS prices

IS MODEL OTR price and price reduction

IS 220d £22,490 - £702
IS 220d SE £24,995 - £847
IS 220d SE-L £27,160 - £782
IS 250 £23,200 - £927
IS 250 auto £24,010 - £927
IS 250 SE £25,720 - £1,057
IS 250 SE auto £26,530 - £1,057
IS 250 SE-L £28,850 - £837

New satellite navigation pack

Lexus has made a satellite navigation pack available as a £1,825 option on IS SE and SE-I models. The pack includes a pan-European navigation system, seven-inch video display, touch screen operation, Bluetooth connectivity, 13-seaker audio system with six CD changer and rear parking monitor.

Multimedia pack

The multimedia pack option for the IS SE-L (£2,710) provides the same features, but with a 14-speaker Mark Levinson hifi system with 5.1 surround sound and six-DVD changer. The satellite navigation offers an additional dynamic route guidance function to provide automatic diversion routes to avoid any delays detected on a pre-programmed journey.

Exterior and interior styling

The 2009 IS features a new front bumper with a revised grille. The door mirrors are new, too, with larger glass sections and integrated indicator lamps.

In the cabin the changes are limited to minor adjustments to the tone of interior upholsteries and trims and the shape of switches and graphics on the centre console. The SE-L grade benefits from revised wood colours.

A paddle shift function is now available on “D” mode in the six-speed automatic transmission.