Lexus 250C

Lexus Turns Up The Heat This Summer
Lexus 250c unleashes its mischievous side with the debut of the all-new 2010 Lexus IS C retractable hardtop convertible, an entirely new dimension to the IS Line. To launch the highly anticipated convertible, Lexus is debuting an integrated marketing campaign designed to emphasize the vehicle’s adventurous, playful personality and reach consumers looking for a thrill.
‘The IS C gives Lexus the opportunity to reveal its more dynamic and playful side,’ states Dave Nordstrom, vice president of marketing for Lexus. ‘For the launch of the long-awaited IS C, we created a new advertising campaign that allows us to showcase the vehicle’s unique personality and give consumers a glimpse of the adrenaline rush the IS C delivers.’
The launch campaign features three IS C broadcast spots and one IS full-line spot, as well as print, interactive, out-of-home and support at key Lexus-sponsored events. The TV spots titled, ‘Hop In’, ‘Running’ and ‘Look Out’, feature the tag line, ‘Live a little, a lot.’ Each highlights the thrill of driving the IS C, as the car hugs every curve on the road and the drivers experience the thrill of driving top-down in a Lexus.
The IS full-line spot titled, ‘Scream,’ features all of the vehicles in the IS line-up—the IS, ISF and ISC—as they speed through the streets at heart-pounding speeds. The drivers scream with excitement as the vehicles effortlessly take every turn that come their way. The spots will begin airing May 18 on prime network and cable stations and will also run on the websites for ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Hulu, ESPN, Comedy Central, Vogue.TV, AskMen.com, Car and Driver, Road and Track, Facebook and YouTube.
Beyond TV, Lexus has entered into three notable interactive partnerships, along with banner ads on select lifestyle and enthusiast sites. The interactive partnership elements include:
ABC.com and YouTube
• Lexus is the first and sole sponsor of the ABC short-form video channel on YouTube; content includes clips, recaps and webisodes. Also sponsoring ABC News’ YouTube channel.
• IS C spots on the ABC.com’s Full Episode Player.
• Lexus will be the first advertiser to work with ABC to test pre-roll in front of short form content on YouTube.
UrbanDaddy.com
• Lexus IS C will be the exclusive sponsor of the Urban Daddy digital lifestyle concierge and microsite, which will also offer consumers the first iPhone app from both brands. The application provides a taste of cities’ of-the-moment hot spots and trends with a real-time entertainment concierge and itinerary building service.
• Additionally, as part of the Lexus IS C campaign, readers can visit the ‘Randomize Your Night’ site on Urban Daddy’s home page, created specifically for Lexus. Hit the ‘Randomizer’ button, and be provided with a real-time itinerary based on specific inputted criteria and Urban Daddy’s archived library of hot happening city experiences.
• Cities include New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami and Las Vegas.
Brash Media
• Lexus partners with Brash Media to sponsor Brash’s Road Trip ‘Guys Getaway’ editorial feature.
• The IS C is highlighted as the ultimate vehicle for guys looking to get away in this unique editorial feature.
In addition to the interactive and broadcast elements, Lexus will run a national print campaign in enthusiast and general interest magazines as well as regional newspaper ads in key markets, beginning with June issues.
Mobile will also play a prominent role in the launch campaign with ESPN and UrbanDaddy’s first-ever iPhone applications. Additional mobile partnerships include presence on Wired.com’s and Style.com’s iPhone applications, The Wall Street Journal Blackberry application and the Fast Company and Askmen.com mobile WAP sites. Traffic will be driven to Lexus’ WAP site: m.lexus.com.
The 2010 IS C has a base MSRP of $38,490 for the IS 250 C and $43,940 for the IS 350 C. MSRP does not include the destination fee of $875. For additional information, visit Lexus.com.
About Lexus
Lexus is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in the United States. Since its debut in 1989, Lexus has earned a reputation for offering high-quality luxury vehicles and providing benchmark customer service through its 226 dealers. This has led to Lexus being the top-selling luxury automaker for nine years in a row. Lexus is also committed to the environment and is the leader in luxury hybrid vehicles. Currently, Lexus has three low-emission luxury hybrids available, with a new HS 250h luxury sedan coming this summer. Through its innovative technology and outstanding customer service, Lexus is dedicated to exceeding its customers’ expectations.
Source – Lexus
Toyota’s luxury division unveiled its newest sport-luxury compact sedan in 2001, the Lexus IS 300. Sharing its engine with the larger GS 300, the IS was built with rear-wheel drive and carried a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine that achieved 215 horsepower. The engine operated with VVT-i. During its first season, only a five-speed automatic transmission was offered, but it did incorporate Formula One-inspired E-Shift gear selection on the steering wheel. The wedge-shaped IS body had a semi-fastback roofline and was sharp-edged in design. It was called a ‘condensed high performance stance’ by Lexus. A choice of either 16 or 17 inch wheels could be mounted on the IS 300 and front side airbags were installed along with antilock braking and traction control. Available on the vehicle was a limited-slip differential. Inspired by sport watched, a chronograph-style instrument panel was installed in the vehicle. The IS 300 was originally designed for the European market, and is promised to give ‘compelling challenge’ to European sport sedans.
Though smaller than the BMW, the Lexus IS300 carried a fairly tight rear seat, though it had a high level of comfort. In Japan the Lexus IS300 was sold as the Toyota Altezza. Introduced in 1999, the IS 300 went on sale in June of 2000. Shortly afterward it appeared as the CART Championship pace car. Along with the IS 300 SportCross, a five-speed manual-transmission version was debuted. The sedan and the little-known SportCross was somewhat publicized by two racing entries in the 2001 Grand-Am Cup North American Street Stock Series. Competitive immediately, the IS scored its first pole position in its fourth race and first race win in the fifth round at Virginia internatiojnal Raceway.
In March of 2003 the IS SportDesign was introduced, basically a cosmetic package equipped with a special grille, tailpipe along with other touches. Sharing its in-line six-cylinder engine with the Supra, the Lexus IS 300 came with rear-wheel drive and an interior that was more sport than luxury. 215 horsepower was produced with the six along with 218 lb-ft of torque that used variable valve timing to broaden its torque curve. The IS 300 also had a two-stage induction system along with a two-way bymass muffler that enhanced breathing and lower noise. Excellent handling was provided by a double wishbone suspension.
When desired, the SportCross and the automatic transmission sedan featured E-Shift steering wheel-mounted shift buttons for finger-tip control over gear shifts. Basically a wagon/crossover version with the same dimensions as the sedan, the IS 300 featured a rear tailgate, a split fold-down rear seatback and fold-down front passenger seatbacks that allowed it to carry either long or odd-shaped items. A rear power outlet and a seatback table were also located in the folding passenger seat.
Wind noise was lowered due to a low 0.29 coefficient of drag, while the interior was quieted with sound-dampening asphalt sheets in the roof. Optional on sedans was a real spoiler, while the SportCross featured a unique spoiler as standard equipment. The IS300 had drill drilled aluminum pedals with rubber pads, supportive height-adjustable seats and stainless steel doorsill scuff plates. 17-inch wheels, low-profile performance-tread tires, auto-dimming side and rearview mirrors, a high-power audio system with both a cassette player and six-disc in-dash CD changer with eight speakers, and High-Intensity Discharge headlights were all standard features.
Optional on the IS300 was eight-way power driver’s and passenger seats, heated front seats and a power moonroof. The interior could be outfitted with an optional leather/Alcantara trim package or a full leather-trimmed interior in either ivory or black.
The SportCross offered the Vehicle Stability Control system as an option. This was also optional on the automatic sedan. This feature was helpful in controlling traction while cornering on slippery or dry road surfaces by utilizing throttle intervention. To help limit rear-wheel slip on acceleration the VSC supplements the standard full-range traction control. Brake Assist and Electronic Brake force Distribution was featured on the four-sensor, four-channel anti-lock brake system. To determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking, brake assist is designed to figure this out, along with if the driver has not stepped firmly enough on the brake pedal to engage the ABS. The system supplements the braking power applied until pedal pressure is released.
Pretensioners and height-adjustable anchors are incorporated on the front seatbelts in the Lexus IS 300 to help avoid the forces to the upper torso in a serious frontal collision. The SRS, Supplemental Restraint Systems included dual front airbags, side curtain airbags for the driver and front passenger, and front seat-mounted side airbags. A personal security feature is the speed-sensitive and shift-linked automatic door lock/unlock system.
An optional feature on the Lexus IS 300 was the Lexus Navigation System which used a DVD for map storage. All on one disc, the DVD contains all of the U.S. and the major cities in Canada. High-speed route calculation, multi-route calculation, route preview, a dual-map screen mode and simplified highway junction graphics are functions of the Navigation System. Deployed from the dashboard, the System is easily hidden when not in use. The remote controls for the system are hidden in the center console between the front seats. A dashboard storage compartment with a spring-loaded retractable lid is featured on models not equipped with the Navigation System.
For 2004 all Lexus IS models added a standard maintenance indicator light along with automatic power door locks. In October of 2005 the second generation of IS models were introduced, the IS250 and the IS350.