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]
The only IS worth getting is the 350, so I’m not sure why they wouldn’t offer this package on that car.
A used 350 is a solid value, by the way.
I’ve driven the 250 and 350. The 250 is so underpowered as to be dangerous, an absolute embarrassment to Lexus. The 350 has just enough power to be a car you’d keep for a while. I find the IS to be generally pretty nice, but I get into a GS350 and I just feel far more at home, that extra inch or two of shoulder room makes a huge difference in comfort. I can live with the grille, it’s actually quite striking when you see the details up close, but that mouse infotainment screen crap has got to go.
241hp moving 3583lb is underpowered, let alone dangerous? What are you using it for, Formula One?
Yeah, I agree.I’ve not driven one,but they were well regarded despite being the slowest in most comparison tests. Need the Supra/z4 twin turbo or v8 , and bring back the ISF-which hold their values ridiculously well.
trd supercharged v6
Grille inspired by Remington MicroScreen.
Whole front end has to be a body shop’s dee-lite.
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.