Terrible Trade Prices

[ColinBarber]

3 hours ago, Linas.P said:

And likewise late 2005 car pay the same tax as auto... so something messed-up happened in 2006 with testing methodology. 

Nothing changed with the engine/testing. The government introduced two extra bands in 2006, and as the manual had higher CO2 emissions compared to the auto it (just) fell into the next band (L) and the auto remained in band K.

[J Henderson]

@ColinBarber 

On a related note, do you know why a 2011 IS250 slots into the lower Band J?

Any mechanical differences responsible for the lower emissions and better fuel economy figures? (Combined MPG - 33.6 vs 31.0)

The only difference I'm aware of is that the engine is factory-filled with 0w20 oil.

[Linas.P]

2 hours ago, J Henderson said:

@ColinBarber 

On a related note, do you know why a 2011 IS250 slots into the lower Band J?

Any mechanical differences responsible for the lower emissions and better fuel economy figures? (Combined MPG - 33.6 vs 31.0)

The only difference I'm aware of is that the engine is factory-filled with 0w20 oil.

User manual lists all oils as an option even for 2005 model - 0w20, 0w30, 5w30, 10w40 as compatible. 

[AFlex]

7 hours ago, Linas.P said:

I think it must be methodology problem as well and Lexus should have looked more carefully how to properly test vehicle, because it does not make sense why car with same engine just different gearbox have to pay so much more taxes, it definitely does not pollute much more. And likewise late 2005 car pay the same tax as auto... so something messed-up happened in 2006 with testing methodology. 

And this isn't even cheating emissions, but simply getting correct emissions band for the car. For example Jaguar XKR with 5L supercharged engine is cheaper to tax than IS250 manual, despite having higher CO2 emissions - go figure!

What I find even more stupid about the manual transmission is that Lexus has programmed the ECU to have such terrible, terrible rev hang, and yet it still gets worse emissions than the auto box! Might as well have let us enjoy the driving experience a bit more, and probably would have still been in the same high CO2 band anyway...

[ColinBarber]

3 hours ago, J Henderson said:

@ColinBarber 

On a related note, do you know why a 2011 IS250 slots into the lower Band J?

Any mechanical differences responsible for the lower emissions and better fuel economy figures? (Combined MPG - 33.6 vs 31.0)

The only difference I'm aware of is that the engine is factory-filled with 0w20 oil.

Lots of little changes to make the vehicle EURO V compliant including different piston rings, exhaust, ECU mapping, transmission tweaks, factory oil grade etc.