It's original, certainly not lacking any power and showcases genuine luxury, unique refinement and innovative safety features. This type of
2007 Lexus IS 350 (Photo: Stephane Quesnel, Auto123.com)
car is obviously perfect for those who love sporty driving and seek a different experience in a machine that really handles itself. In case you're still wondering, I'm not talking about a BMW but a Lexus. And not just any Lexus : the IS 350.
The IS lineup is comprised of three models. First, the IS 250 RWD offers a small 2.5L DOHC V6 with variable valve timing that produces 204 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. On top of a 6-speed manual transmission, Lexus adds stability and traction control. The second model is the IS 250 AWD, powered by the same engine but using a 6-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel mounted paddles. And then there's the IS 350, which I tried this week.
The IS 350, sporty? Suffice to say that the Lexus IS 350 boasts a 306-hp, 3.5L V6 with intelligent dual variable valve timing to realize that this sporty sedan delivers outstanding performance. The IS 350 is the luxury sedan that
2007 Lexus IS 350 (Photo: Stephane Quesnel, Auto123.com)
comes closest to being a sports car. Every part of this Lexus is a vivid reminder: the firmness of the suspension that eliminates body roll, the power of the engine, the paddle shifters of the gearbox and the precision of the steering.
The Lexus IS 350 comes standard with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Mated to the 3.5-liter powerplant with sequential multiport electronic fuel injection -- that develops 306 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm -- this super transmission allows the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 6 seconds, which is faster than most of the competitors.
As for gear changes, the transmission can either be controlled automatically or sequentially. With the sequential mode, you can manually shift by using the steering wheel mounted paddles. A more traditional shifter-mounted sequential mode is optional. Thanks to the latter, you can shift from "D" to "S" when you want to control the transmission manually by tapping the shifter on "+" or "-".
Technology at your service
2007 Lexus IS 350 (Photo: Stephane Quesnel, Auto123.com)
Aside from the direct fuel injection system and the intelligent dual variable valve timing system, the IS 350 uses an electronic throttle control system with intelligence (ETCS-i) to ensure perfect control at all engine revs. There is also an acoustic control induction system (ACIS) that adjusts the length of the intake manifold to the engine operating conditions in order to optimize performance.
