|  | | | Lexus IS Chronology
MILESTONES
January 1999 - The Lexus IS compact sport sedan is shown at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit and plans to sell the vehicle in mid-2000 are announced.
January 2000 - Lexus debuts the production 2001 IS 300 compact sport sedan at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
June 2000 - Lexus IS 300 goes on sale.
October 2000 - Lexus introduces the IS 300 pace car for the CART/FedEx Championship.
January 2001 - Lexus unveils the IS 300 SportCross and the IS 300 5-speed manual transmission sport sedan at the NAIAS.
April 2001 - Team Lexus debuts two IS 300 racecars in the 2001 Grand-Am Cup North American Street Stock Series.
April 2001 - Team Lexus debuts the IS 300 luxury sport sedan in Grand-Am Cup competition. The IS was competitive immediately and scored its first pole position in its fourth race and first race win in the fifth round at Virginia International Raceway.
August 2001 - The all-new Lexus IS 300 SportCross and IS 300 5-speed manual transmission models go on sale.
August 2001 - The IS 300 L-Tuned is launched as a limited edition in the western states.
March 2003 - Lexus added a distinctively sporty new edition of the IS 300 sport sedan with the introduction of the IS 300 SportDesign. IS 300 SportDesign Edition provides several exclusive enhancements including a special grille, fender emblems, special exhaust tailpipe, 11-spoke 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, black pearl trim around the headlights, fog lights and taillights, and Thundercloud Metallic as exclusive exterior color.
March 2005 - Lexus unveils the all-new IS 350 sport sedan at the New York International Auto Show.
October 2005 - Lexus introduces the all-new second-generation IS 250 and IS 350 models. Both feature new high-performance V6 engines. The IS 250 offers an all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or manual transmission option, and the IS 350 is equipped with the new Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system.
September 2006 - New X Package option added for rear-wheel drive models (not available on all-wheel drive model) featuring sport suspension, sport pedals, illuminated scuff plates, front lip spoiler and 18-inch five-spoke wheels with a liquid graphite finish).
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
November 2000 - Popular Science gives its "Best of What's New" award to the IS 300.
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