2019 Lexus IS 300 F Sport Black Line Special Edition
With sales of the IS 300 leaving something to be desired these past few years, Lexus has bestowed the obligatory black-themed appearance package on the compact sedan for the 2019 model year.
Available on both rear- and all-wheel drive IS 300 F Sport models for 2019, the Black Line Special Edition offers a handful exterior features that help to distinguish it from the standard IS. However, the appearance package will be only be available in three exterior colors: ultra white, obsidian and atomic silver.
While not the most varied color palate, Black Line models do get a dash of warmth via red accenting. The center console is framed by scarlet bars, while black Nuluxe seats come with ruby piping and contrast stitching that extends into the armrest. Lexus also chucked on navigation and triple-beam LED headlamps as part of the package — adding some value, as both are rather expensive options when purchased à la carte.
Outside, the IS receives a set of 18-inch wheels in the “black vapor chrome” finish that we’ve seen on the LS. They’re not so much black as they are an incredibly dark gunmetal gray, but they are rather fetching. The black side mirrors aren’t a bad touch, either.
Lexus also mentioned a heated, wood-trimmed steering wheel that features “distinctive shades of black” created by a Japanese calligraphy shop dedicated to perfecting ink for more than 200 years. That’s either an admirable commitment to perfection of minutiae or the physical manifestation of a deep-seated mental illness. It’s sometimes hard to distinguish with real genius. We’re leaning toward the latter, as Lexus didn’t bother to provide a close-up view of the piece that supposedly represents two centuries of creative commitment.
Of course, the real selling point is the illusion of exclusivity. Lexus says it’s limiting itself to just 900 examples of the IS 300 F Sport Black Line for 2019 — or about 4 percent of the the brand’s total IS volume for the United States in 2018. Our assumption is that you probably won’t have trouble getting your hands on one, even if you avoid calling your local dealership immediately after reading this.
Officially, Lexus hasn’t said how much a Black Line IS 300 will set you back. Unofficially, we’ve been told by one dealership that the package adds around three grand to a base F Sport’s MSRP. That’s not a bad deal, considering it bundles navigation and LEDs.
Production of the special editions began in early February, meaning dealers should start getting them in March.
[Images: Lexus]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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And the 2019 award for the longest vehicle name goes to...? Hey, this could be a future QOTD ;-)
I was going to post that the painted Class A surface directly in line with the rear door sill needs a "NO STEP" sticker or external sill plate to avoid scratches/damage... But now I see that the designers have sculpted the rear door shape to discourage any use of the rear seat whatsoever.