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2006 Lexus IS 350 Road Test

IS Revisited

Understandably, most automotive journalists have chimed in with their two cents about Lexuss spankin new IS, be it here or on other websites, in magazines or your standard Friday or Sunday Car sections in the papers. Now its my turn, and Ive got a nickel. Not only did I get the IS for a weekend of almost non-stop driving mayhem, I got it with the 306-horsepower 3.5L V6.

On my first night with the IS 350, I was fortunate enough to meet another like-minded individual driving an Infiniti G35 Coupe, navigating the wide, occasionally curving and smoothly paved Highway 7. It became apparent that we were the class of the 7, despite a Celica that seemed itchy to get in on the game. A Celica? "Puuhhleeeeaase." That wasnt happening.

After dispatching some slow moving traffic, we were fortunate to find ourselves aligned at the most fortuitous of driving events: a red light. We rolled down the windows, he shot me a question about the "new car from Lexus", and I gave him my 15 second wrap-up: "Yeah, its the

Why hello: our man Yarkony is acquainted with his favorite Lexus, the IS 350. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

350... over 300 horsepower... but its got only an auto tranny, it almost makes things too easy..." You know, the basic things enthusiastic drivers love to go over at your casual Saturday night stoplight.

I then noticed the tinge of green, gave him a pointing nod, he looked up, grinning like a guy dialed into all 280 of his horsepower and he said, "Lets go!" At this point, I simply dropped my foot and after about 6 seconds and two clicks on the paddle shifters we were both looking at fineable offences and he was well back in my mirror. He must have exited before we got to the next lights because I didnt see him again, but if I had the money to bet, I would guess that the advantage went to me thanks in large part

If you drive anything on the list of "Direct Competitors" these are all youll be seeing in the distance. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

to Lexuss brilliant transmission, which must have been designed first and foremost for stoplight-launching bragging rights.

This insanely quick and suitably refined transmission does the trick perfectly, with the tach flashing a yellow ring at a recommended shift point (which is adjustable by the driver to suit his driving tastes, preferences or urgency) that is easily visible in peripheral vision, meaning you dont actually have to take your eyes off the road in order to get the message to flick your fingers into the next gear, through to your brain. Almost guaranteed is that if I had been responsible for the clutch and shift, I would have over-revved and missed a clutch drop being all nervous and with adrenalin pumping so loud it would be rattling my coffee in the cupholder.

Stoplight heroics countered by 13-inch front disc brakes. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

The flipside of this stoplight-hero transmission is that it does a lot of thinking for you, delaying shifts when appropriate, and anticipating downshifts by dropping two gears for an afterburner-like effect during highway passing; even though I was slow to take up a paddle for the maneuver. Occasionally I would notice that the IS had taken over, and I thought to myself, "Geez, I wish Id thought of that." Too clever by half. Almost creepy.
Then again, although perhaps attributable to the slushies learning curve and my twitchy foot, the box also had its moments when it seemed almost human and it would execute a jerky, somewhat violent shift into second gear, followed by massive spinal adjusting forward force, like all two hundred and seventy-some-odd pound-feet of torque got dropped on the flywheel. Now thats fun.

So I wonder, when they come out with the IS 500 that

Neck-snapping force of V6 delivered through six-speed automatic with paddleshift. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

has been floating around the rumor mill we call the internet, will it have a manual transmission? At that level, and no doubt price, shouldnt a driver have a right to fudge things up for him or herself if he or she so chooses? My own victory seemed slightly hollow knowing I wasnt the one releasing the clutch. When it comes to driving, theres nothing like a perfect shift into second gear. Nothing? Okay, maybe there is, but it has nothing to do with cars, although that may be attributable solely to my lack of experience. And that is something youd never get to experience in the 350: the thrill, reward and satisfaction of the perfect shift. Clicking a paddle just wont do.

In a way, that is the fine line the IS dances along, and while many will find it the right balance, when you get right up to that indefinable ledge, the Lexus net springs up and you are reminded that it will set your limits for you no matter your desire to explore. Then again, youd be exploring

Those angles, just look at those angles! No more organic shapes for Lexus. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

well beyond the limits of the law most likely, so its something of a moot point on populated roads.

Up until now, Ive focused on what makes the IS 350 a spectacular sports sedan, with its requisite personality traits that are a joy to some and a bane to others. Now I have to discuss the IS as a Lexus, because another core mission the IS has is to represent Lexus in its efforts to conquer the luxury world. And while some people consider the big barges (7-Series, S-Class, A8, LS, etc.) flagships as the most likely candidates for this job, I like to be a contradiction and think of a companys best selling model as its flagship. Granted this makes for some weird comparisons in my mind (like the F-150 going up against the Camry). Where the afterthought IS 300 was a slow seller, the New IS (caps intended--like the New World back in its day) will inarguably represent Lexus in the public eye when they begin to populate the roadways in cities and countries the world over, just as the 3-Series is the quintessential BMW. Yeah, I know the

Shimmering and beautiful - Crystal White paint is stunning on the IS. (Photo: Kogodos, American Auto Press)

LS 460 L will have an eight speed transmission, an ottoman for rear seat passengers and a speaker plugged right into your skull (just kidding about that last feature), but in the real world, people younger and older might opt for the sport sedan over the luxo-barge anyway, if not for its lower price point alone, and, other than the recently remade ES 350 and ever-popular RX 350 (also updated for 2007), the IS will be the one we will see everywhere.

And the IS is the perfect ambassador of the "New Lexus", in all its L-Finesse contemporary luxury glory. Lexus started with a clean slate and brought to life a design that will reach a whole lot more people than its old Japanese-market Toyota Altezza conversion. An aggressive profile and razor-sharp angles and folds in the hood and grille and tail are balanced with large smooth door panels and liquid curves in the rear three-quarter panel. It has just enough simplicity to keep it anchored and allow it to appeal to the masses, but it also has a subtle but unmistakable challenge to the powers that be in its appearance.

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