In light- and medium-load conditions, these additional injectors help produce a precise burn, optimizing power and efficiency. The audio system is also automatically equalized to maintain the current acoustic field, regardless of outside noise, when the top is opened or closed. We found it offers plenty of power for everyday driving. Of course, that could be because you usually don't hear the small V-6 until you're close to full-throttle. These paddles have a good, solid feel. The interface requires you to preselect stocks and teams, so as to avoid information overload on the road. But the steering and suspension are not quite up to hard-core driving.
The look could even be called out as a bit too slab-sided from the doors back through the rear fenders. A highly rigid body structure is the starting point for controlling noise intrusion. Worse, the iPod was basically unlistenable because of choppy playback. It pulls strongly, sounds muscular and can generally overtake slower traffic whenever your right foot desires. Interior trims aren't anything special in appearance of feel, but the perforated, ventilated leather seats optional are a boon to comfort. The front tires are one size smaller than the rear tires, which accentuates the road-hungry look.
Controls and gauges are designed to reduce visual clutter, including the bright, clear Optitron gauges. A very wise friend once told me buy a few very good things instead of volume and buy them with cash. Turn guidance graphics are big and detailed. The design is quite simple, but interior appointments are top-notch; many of the tech and luxury features of Lexus's larger sedans are offered here, too, including voice-activated navigation, ventilated front seats, and excellent Mark Levinson audio. The menu graphics for the onscreen interface are particularly awful-looking, with big, gray beveled squares for buttons.
Sophisticated monotube shock-absorbers integrate multi-leaf linear control valves to optimize damping force, plus internal rebound springs for firmer body control without degrading ride comfort. Inherently good design inside and out explains some of that. We ended up playing artists at the beginning of the alphabet because scrolling all the way to the end required too much patience, not to mention distraction from the road. For 2011, there are a few new exterior colors on offer, and the interior gets new black metallic and silver trims. But the differences underhood really do give these two models quite different personalities. The shortage of watts only makes itself felt in the lack of thumping bass with the volume high.
Most competing sedans offer one with their larger engines. The nose pushes a bit at first when barreling into sweeping curves, but the car settles on its rear nicely on the way out, proving nearly as drift-happy as a 3 Series or G37. The look could even be called out as a bit too slab-sided from the doors back through the rear fenders. Instead, drivers have to settle for a six-speed automatic. All 2011 Lexus models have a standard new brake override system that automatically reduces power when the gas and brake pedals are applied at the same time. For comparison, a 335is coupe needed 113 feet to do the same deed.
With 204 hp showing up at 6,400 rpm and 185 lb-ft of torque not arriving until 4,800 rpm, the 2. The Bad Choppy playback made iPod integration unlistenable. Standard features include chest and knee airbags, plus seat-mounted side-impact airbags and two-row side curtain airbags in the sedan. However, rear and roof-strength ratings were just Acceptable — one rung down from Good. The design looks more like an afterthought than something intended to bolster the Lexus brand. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. The multi-information display located within the speedometer integrates a trip computer and an oil-maintenance reminder and system warnings, all grouped in one convenient location.
It gets a new deep front spoiler with faired-in fog lights, new grille design, and a rear spoiler with integrated stop light. I wasn't searching for something large. These bolts could become loose due to abnormal impacts generated within the gear assembly immediately after a cold start-up. The package also adds F Sport badging to the steering wheel, shift knob and doorsill scuff plates. There are new 17- and 18-inch wheels, too. .
The advantage of electric power steering is that it reduces energy consumption, yielding a 3 percent fuel economy improvement over conventional hydraulic systems. The console shifter can also be used to select gears. While the proportions might not look as neat as they could have, the tradeoff is that trunk space, plus decent back seat legroom—well, depending on your expectations. Cornering is handled with ease, as lean is exhibited only minimally in hard turns. That's about the same as that of a V-6 mid-size sedan, and not too shabby for a sporty coupe with a retractable hardtop. It still has plenty of power for me.