New 2010 Lexus IS 250C

Just because a luxury coupe normally appeals to those who covet refinement and status, doesn’t mean that it can’t have a little fun. In the case of the all-new 2010 Lexus IS 250C, fun comes standard.

The IS 250C is a two-door, four-seat luxury convertible with a three-piece retractable hardtop that retracts in 20 seconds (fastest in its class). The 250C is related to the IS 350C — the difference is engine size. The IS 250C features a 204-horsepower, direct injection 2.5-liter V-6 and is mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission with paddle-shifters. The 2010 Lexus IS 250C receives moderate fuel economy with 18-21 mpg in the city and 26-29 mpg on the highway. The IS 250C competes with other hardtop convertibles such as the BMW 328i and Volvo C70.

Though the IS 250C comes in only one trim, you can choose between the standard and Luxury Packages. Standard features include eight-way power front seats, leather interior, keyless ignition/entry, 17-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, eight-speaker stereo with in-dash six-CD changer and USB and auxiliary audio jacks. The trunk has enough room to fit two golf bags when the top is up, and one bag when it is stowed.

With the Luxury Package, the voice-activated HDD navigation system allows you to search for destinations using your natural speaking voice. When you’re in transit you can utilize the NavTraffic feature to get real-time driving conditions, find restaurants and businesses and access Bluetooth hands-free calling. The Mark Levinson audio system boasts a 12-speaker, 270-watt, 5.1 premium surround sound system with DVD/CD capability. Heated and ventilated front seats, wood trim, back-up camera, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and 18-inch wheels are all part of the Luxury Package.

For the 2010 Lexus IS 250C, safety is standard. An anti-lock braking system with brake assist, active front headrests and vehicle stability system with traction control are standard. The radar-based Pre-Collision System pre-emptively retracts the front seatbelts and preps the Brake Assist when it determines that a frontal collision is unavoidable. The SRS airbag system is very thorough and includes front seat-mounted side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags and driver’s and front passenger’s knee airbags.

Let the top down and enjoy the wind in your hair with the all-new sporty, luxurious and exciting 2010 Lexus IS 250C.