Editing Lexus IS (section)

=== 2000–2003 ===
In July 2000, a hatchback/station wagon model, the AS300 (chassis code JCE10), was introduced featuring a 3.0-litre ''2JZ-GE'' straight-six engine. Equipped with rear- or all-wheel drive (JCE10, RWD Gita wagon; JCE15, 4WD Gita wagon), the AS300 was only available with an automatic gearbox; a five-speed automatic for the RWD Gita wagon and a four-speed automatic for the 4WD Gita wagon. The six-cylinder version (''2JZ-GE'') was only available in Japan on the Gita models. Additionally, a six-speed manual transmission was introduced to the AS200 (chassis code GXE10). In the US, the IS 300 sedan debuted in July 2000 as 2001 model and the wagon debuted in 2001 as a 2002 model with the same 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine (the 2.0-litre six-cylinder was not available), while in Europe, the IS 300 joined the IS 200 in the model lineup. The IS 300 models were initially only available with the five-speed automatic transmission in all markets. A five-speed manual – the six-speed manual from the 2-liter model was not designed for the torque put out by the larger 2JZ-GE engine – was made available in the US in 2001 for the 2002 model year.<ref name=AW5018p7>{{cite magazine | magazine = [[AutoWeek]] | title = The News: Shifty IS 300 | page = 6 | editor-first = Todd | editor-last = Lassa | volume = 5 | number = 18 | date = 2000-04-24 | publisher = Crain Communications Inc. }}</ref> The manual option was not available on the SportCross wagon. Lexus aimed for 15 percent of American IS 300 sales to be manuals.<ref name=AW5018p7/> Visually the exterior of the European IS 200 Sport and 300 were almost identical, the only differences being the boot insignia and the larger-engined model initially having clear front indicators (later generalized throughout the range).

[[File:Lexus IS 300 first gen interior.jpg|thumb|left|Interior]]The first-generation IS' interior featured unique elements not typically found in other Lexus models. These included a chrome metal ball shifter (USDM & European market, other markets received an optional leather-trimmed shifter), (optional) pop-up navigation screen, and [[chronograph]]-style instrument panel (with mini gauges for temperature, fuel economy, and volts). For the European and Australian markets, the IS 300 gained full leather seats rather than the leather/[[ecsaine]] of the 200, plus Auto-dimming rear view and side mirrors, and HID headlamps. In the US, the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|Environmental Protection Agency]] listed the IS 300 as a [[subcompact car]]; although it technically had enough overall volume to be called a compact, rear seat room exhibited subcompact dimensions.

The US [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]] (NHTSA) crash test results in 2001 gave the IS 300 the maximum five stars in the Side Driver and Side Rear Passenger categories, and four stars in the Frontal Driver and Frontal Passenger categories.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.safercar.gov/portal/search?model=6992 |title=2002 Lexus IS 300 4-Dr w/ SAB |publisher=Safercar.gov |access-date=21 May 2009}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The [[Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]] (IIHS) rated the IS "Good" overall for frontal collisions and "Good" in all six measured front impact categories.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=148 |title=IIHS HLDI: Lexus IS 300 |publisher=Iihs.org |date=5 October 2005 |access-date=21 May 2009}}</ref>

For the first-generation IS in the North American market, sales hit a high of 22,486 units in 2001; subsequent sales years were less than forecast, and below the 10,000-unit mark in 2004.<ref name=2002sales>{{cite web |url=http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2003/01/03/152221.html |title=Lexus production figures 2001–2002 |date=3 January 2003 |publisher=Autochannel |access-date=26 January 2009}}</ref><ref name=2003sales>{{cite web |url=http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/01/04/313808.html |title=Lexus production figures 2003–2004 |date=4 January 2005 |publisher=Autochannel |access-date=26 January 2009}}</ref> The IS 200 fared better relative to sales targets in Europe and Asia, while still well short of the sales volume achieved by the [[Mercedes-Benz C-Class]] and other, mostly German-made competitors. This trend was indicative of Lexus' smaller global status; while Lexus' range of cars was very successful in North America, the marque's sales lagged behind its German rivals in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_09/b3922126_mz017.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050218115732/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_09/b3922126_mz017.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 February 2005 |first=David |last=Welch |date=28 February 2005 |title=Is Lexus Sexy Enough To Seduce Europe? |work=[[Bloomberg BusinessWeek]]}}</ref> In Europe, the lack of a manual gearbox option for the IS 300 may have limited sales in contrast to its rivals, the [[BMW 3 Series]] and the Mercedes C-Class.

In 2000, TTE introduced a compressor kit for the IS 200 in the European market.<ref name=tte>{{cite web |url=http://www.autoweek.nl/autonieuws/246/Lexus-IS200-nu-ook-met |title=Autonieuws – Lexus IS200 nu ook mét |publisher=Autoweek.nl |date=5 December 2000 |access-date=3 February 2011}}</ref> An Eaton supercharger at 0.3-bar pressure increased the power output to {{convert|205|hp|kW|abbr=on|order=flip}} without sacrificing fuel consumption (+3.3%). The kit was initially available as an aftermarket fitment, but could also be obtained as OEM Lexus accessory on newer cars through the official Lexus dealer network and was fully covered by the standard warranty.<ref name=tte/> This variant was discontinued when the IS 300 was introduced in the European market.