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2006 Lexus IS 350 Road Test

Better than a 3-Series and the C-Class?

I was driving home from a meeting today, behind the wheel of a shiny new Mercedes-Benz C280, not the much more powerful C350, mind you, but an extremely nice little car just the same, and I couldnt help finding myself wishing I was behind the wheel of new IS 350. Since when has Lexus built cars that Mercedes drivers lust after? Since now.

Rather than point out everything that the IS 350 does better than the C-Class, leaving that for a future road test review on the Mercedes, suffice to say that the three-pointed star car felt somewhat dated, with older technology, other than its slick seven-speed automatic that is, and attractive but rather conservative styling inside and out.

Just looking at the IS sets my heart rate racing, a feeling that appears evident

Since when has Lexus built cars that Mercedes drivers lust after? Since now. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

with the other journalists present at the press launch. Its clean, flowing front end styling is actually quite beautiful, a word I dont usually associate with cars this side of a Jaguar E-Type or Mark II sedan, Alfa Romeo Veloce coupe, BMW 3.0 CSi, or pretty well any pre-70s Ferrari. To say this about a Lexus is truly a turning point for Toyotas luxury division in my minds eye. The intricate folds of the rear taillights, that cant be fully appreciated in photos,

Just looking at the IS sets my heart rate racing, a feeling that appears evident with the other journalists present at the press launch. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

are exquisite bits of automotive design, and then, stepping back to take in the entire rear three quarter view, the way the cars rakish profile plunges forward as if physically diving into the tarmac is pure athleticism incarnate.
From the outside, its hard to tell the lesser variant apart from the all-powerful IS 350, except for the telltale IS 250 or IS 250 AWD badge on the right rear quarter. Of course, when looking inside its easy to

The one thing that makes the IS 350 entirely unique, not only when compared to the IS 250 variants, but also to its rivals, is its outrageously engaging powertrain. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

see that base cars expose a manual transmission and cloth interior, features not available with the IS 350.

The one thing that makes the IS 350 entirely unique, not only when compared to the IS 250 variants, but also to that Mercedes-Benz C280 I spoke of previously, or its BMW 330i, Audi 3.2 quattro, Jaguar X-Type 3.0, Acura TL, Infiniti G35, Cadillac CTS 3.6L and Lincoln Zephyr rivals, is its outrageously engaging powertrain. With 306-horsepower on tap, and

With 306-horsepower on tap, and a eagerly responsive paddle-shifting six-speed automatic that actually holds its gear at redline, the IS 350s acceleration is in a class of one. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

a eagerly responsive paddle-shifting six-speed automatic that actually holds its gear at redline, only Chryslers audacious 425-horsepower 300C SRT8 duo can duel it out with Lexus new sport sedan in head to head acceleration tests, and then win every so slightly with a 4.9 second run to 60 mph compared to 5.2 seconds to 60 mph for the IS, but in reality, despite being priced about the same, I dont think the two cars really target the same audience. I should mention here, mind you, that the 5.2 second 0

Comparing the IS 350 to its peers, mind you, must be embarrassing for the entire group as it completely annihilates them off the line. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

to 60 mph time was mentioned during the IS 350s technical introduction. A quick search on the net shows real times (by Car & Driver, Road & Track and other reputable sources) that span from 5.0 seconds to 5.8, most likely differing because of elevation levels and weather conditions. Lexus has now officially stated this number is 5.6 seconds, but as usual with this brand it is most likely an overly conservative figure.

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