The Advance specification builds on the standard SE trim with wide range of luxury and hi-tech features, comprising HDD satellite navigation system, rear parking camera, heated, electrically adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, auto windscreen wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror, front and rear parking sensors and cruise control.

The jump from SE trim to the new Advance spec adds an extra £340 to the cost of the Advance IS 250 (£26,495 on-the-road), with the IS 200d coming in at an additional £130 (£24,995).

Lexus says that, comparing like-for-like specifications, the V6 petrol-powered IS 250 is more keenly priced than the BMW 320i and 325i SE, with the IS 200d diesel offering better specification than the BMW 318d SE and the Audi A4 2.0 TDI 140 Technik.

The Lexus IS 250 and 200d Advance are on sale now.