Top down, bucks up!

MANILA, Philippines - Is there any car more luxurious, more indulgent than the convertible? Ever since manufacturers learned that chopping the top off a normal car was sure to elevate the sexiness quotient by several notches, the convertible has stood for individuality, freedom, and stylish impracticality, that “I don’t care that my bags won’t fit, I look good” message.

So it is with the Lexus IS 300 C, an excellent sports coupe that receives the GQ treatment to make it a car worthy of a megabuck movie star. The car features a power folding, aluminum roof with a glass backlight, thus providing the security and weather sealing of a traditional roof compared to the usual canvas-and-cloth droptop. The roof consists of three panels connected by a completely automated, 4-link system that includes a sonar system designed to stop the folding/unfolding operation if an obstacle is detected.

Convertibles normally create a lot of drag, but the IS 300 C’s drag coefficient is an impressive 0.29, helped in part by underbody covers below the engine, a full floor and fuel tank cover, and a rear diffuser with a vertical fin and airfoil. Even its airconditioning system is programmed to compensate for outside temperature when the top is folded, improving interior temperature consistency and comfort.

Convertible versions of coupe bodies normally suffer from the “shakes” with the deletion of the roof and its supporting pillars which provide structural rigidity. To counter this, the IS 300 C features reinforced rocker areas, A and B pillar under structures, side collision crossmembers, and upper and rear floor cross members. The rear suspension mount bushings were also redesigned to counter noise and vibration. Underfloor braces were also added to the front and rear. With the addition of high rigidity damping materials and asphalt sheets, the convertible also has nearly the same, low NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) characteristics as the coupe.

While the convertible may be mechanically similar to the coupe, the former sports exterior styling clearly designed around the folding roof. With the exception of the hood, all other body panels were redesigned to give the convertible a distinctive look. With the top down, the convex shoulder lines emphasize the convertible silhouette, and the belt line draws up toward the deck lid for a muscular look. With the top up, the roof seamlessly flows into the body to create a swept back look.

The rear view features a clean and continuous design, with flowing bumper corners and a bumper that flows inward towards the exhaust. The combination tail lamp clusters feature LED lights and two distinct horizontal lines to emphasize the breadth of the vehicle, while the LED brake lamp integrated in the rear spoiler imparts a sporty impression. The standard 17-inch wheels feature a multi-layered five spoke pattern exclusive to the convertible in the IS lineup.

Backing up the IS 300 C’s looks is an energetic powertrain: a 3.0-liter V6 rated at 170 kW (228HP) at 6,200 RPM and 300 Newton-meters of torque at 4,400 rpm. The engine features aluminum cylinder blocks and heads, while employing dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence to control the timing of both intake and exhaust camshafts. The fuel injection system is a direct-type system that enables the high compression needed to extract the maximum energy from its fuel. A six-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters is standard. Even with the V6’s high output, the IS 300C is rated as an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle II.

Inside, the IS 300 C belies the “selfish car” image. Avant garde styling aside, the IS 300C seats four passengers, with the rear seat passengers even enjoying amenities such as cup holders and storage pockets. Rear seat comfort is also enhanced by placing the seats inboard for enhanced headroom. The front sears are 8-way power adjustable (including power lumbar support), and the heating/ventilation function has increased range to include the shoulder areas.

While the instrument panel is similar to that of the IS sedan, the convertible sports a few distinctions. The multi-information LCD features a higher contrast and a dial-color change, with decreased surface glass transmittance to enhance visibility when the top is down. The multi-information display even includes hardtop status while in operation, including a warning to the driver if the roof is not completely open or closed, if a rear obstacle is impeding operation, or if the open/close function is disabled while the vehicle is in motion. The two main dials also sport metallic trim.

The IS 300 C’s underpinnings consist of front double wishbones and a multi-link rear. Because of the altered dynamics of the IS 300 C, the double wishbones feature optimized suspension bushings, different coil spring tension, and shock absorber damping force compared to the sedan. The stabilizer shape and steering gear ratio were also revised to provide improved control.

At the back, similar changes were also done to the suspension bushings, coil springs, and shock damping force. The rear suspension tower was also lowered to enhanced rigidity and provide better rear control and linear yaw response, as well as improved trunk space.

To aid rear seat ingress, the front doors are 11.8 inches longer than the IS sedan’s, while two fold-forward lock-release levers are standard on both sides of the front seats. The passenger seat features a power slide button on the top of the seatback to ease rear seat ingress/egress.

While the IS 300 C benefits from the usual modcons as any other luxury car, the stereo deserves special mention. The Lexus Premium Audio System features a 6-disc, in-dash CD changer, eight speakers, and an equalizer system that’s programmed to maintain the same acoustic field when the top is either open or closed, compensating for wind roar and the natural loss of bass sound when open.

The Lexus IS 300 C features the usual alphabet of passive and safety features, ensuring that only a total doofus (or a very bad accident) will cause you to crash this car. The car features ABS, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control, and Traction Control, all managed by the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management System interfaced with the electronic throttle control.

The IS convertible features ventilated, four-wheel disc brakes; 11.65 inches in front, and 12.20 inches at the back. In addition to the dual front airbags, the convertible comes with front-seat-mounted head and torso side airbags, and knee airbags for the driver and front passenger. Seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters are used for the front seats, while the rear seats feature emergency locking retractor seatbelts with an automatic locking retractor. Finally, falling into the “gee-whiz” category, are High Intensity Discharge Headlamps paired with the Adaptive Front-Lighting System which help to illuminate a curve as the driver steers into it.

Price? Thought you’d never ask. An IS 300C can be yours for the semi princely sum of P3,978,000.