My best micro hatch...
My best micro hatch is the Kia Picanto, not the Toyota Aygo/Citroen C1/Peugeot 107 family, which could have won had it not been for overpricing. Next up is the Renault Clio (small hatch), Honda Civic (mid-size) and Ford Focus ST (hot). Car about town is the Mini One. The Lexus RX400h (hybrid), Chrysler 300C (saloon), Audi A6 (estate) and Mazda 5 (six-seater) are all best in class. In the 4x4 sector, the Nissan X-Trail (SUV), Land Rover Discovery (off-roader) and Jeep Wrangler (icon) clean up.
One thing which will...
One thing which will set the IS500 apart will be economy. Engineers are focused on developing a motor which not only produces massive muscle, but also uses very little fuel when cruising.
The car will feature a 5.0-litre V8 boasting 400bhp. Insiders say it is a bored-out version of the 350bhp 4.6 unit destined for the bigger Lexus LS next year. Expect a sub-six-second 0-60mph sprint, with top speed limited to 155mph. Unveiled in production trim at the Geneva Motor Show last month, the all-new IS will go on sale in the UK later this year.
At launch, a 2.5-litre V6 petrol and 2.2 diesel will be the only models available. Development of the V8 is ongoing, so it will not appear until 2006. But Lexus bosses are not resting on their laurels, as they also plan to produce a mighty 500bhp version of the LS, powered by a 5.0-litre V8 hybrid unit. This LS600h is said to offer super-saloon pace with the economy of a V6.