2010 Lexus IS Convertible

2010 Lexus IS350 Convertible

February in Chicago would hardly seem like the appropriate backdrop for the debuting a new convertible but that's exactly where Lexus unveiled the new IS. Fortunately the conditions for the IS-C's on-sale date and first drives are somewhat more amenable to top down motoring. We recently had a chance to spend some time with the new IS convertible in both IS250 and IS350 forms.

Like the existing Lexus SC460, chief rival the Infiniti G37, and of course the BMW 3-series, the new IS C has a retractable hard-top that folds into the trunk. The IS is the second best selling model in the Lexus lineup and in the segment it competes in having a convertible seems a natural fit. Come along for the ride and find out if the IS convertible is for you.




In this case Lexus beefed up the structure around the front of the doors, the windshield frame along the rocker panels. Large new cross-members were added under the rear seat cushion and behind the seat head rests. That rear beam features a pair of fixed steel roll-bars in the unlikely event that the IS goes wheels up.