2008/2009 Models

[Scarlet Pimpernell]

Does anyone know what (if any) changes are planned to the 220 (220d in particular) for 2008 or 2009? My lease runs out early 2009 and I am hesitant about getting another 220D. I have the 2006 SE with MM and love the car, in particular the MM/SatNv system and general look and feel. However I am not very impressed with the engine/gearbox combination inc mpg. I drove my friends 320D/520D and it was just a much better drive with smoother gear changes that occur at the right speeds eg 6th gear is actually useable at 55-60mpg.

So if lexus are likely to 'fix' the engine/gearbox (even have an auto 220D) then I am likely to stick with it, otherwise it will be audi/bmw/merc.

comments welcome...

I was told yesterday by the dealer principle at Lexus Leicester that there will be a lower emiss is220 before the end of April and Lexus will have a hybrid in every model range before 2014

That thankfully rules out the current IS ever being a Hybrid then, no doubt. there really is no room for the motors or the Battery, unless it is a scalextric car motor and 2AA batteries...2014 seems to fit in with a sort of date by which time the SC and the IS will be replaced with the next generation, and hopefully smaller batteries will be out by then. The RX, GS and LS already have Hyb's.

Anyway, what's all this about lower emmissions for a 220? I thought that Eu5 was supposed to move away from just Co2 and look at local pollutant (soot to you and me)???

Or is the 220d not actually Eu5 compliant, OR is Eu5 not happening???

I always thought that no company car driver would gt a 220d with 168g Co2, not at least until Eu5 was actually out and happening, or have I missed something?

The BMW Stop/Start engine off thingy is well wierd, but it does work...

[Parthiban]

Agree about stop/start - seeing as Toyota/Lexus have had this tech for years, seems silly not to implement it across the range, especially as it works so well on the hybrids.

Should show BMW a thing or two as well, as their system is horrendous!

[Haf]

I was told yesterday by the dealer principle at Lexus Leicester that there will be a lower emiss is220 before the end of April and Lexus will have a hybrid in every model range before 2014

I'm intrigued, given that april is round the corner we should see some more details soon-ish. A lower emission 220d plus a improved mpg/gearbox combo will have me seriously considering another 220D..