Lexus IS finds way to blend power with panache

04/07/2008 17:09. The original IS 300 was a reasonably sporty car in terms of its drive, but it was too staid for its own good.

Such was its anonymity it melted into the background when parked between an Audi and a BMW. The current rendition, the IS 350 tested here, suffers no such indignity. It's a bold piece that commands more than its fair share of admiring looks. The good news is that it has the mechanical wherewithal and interior panache to back up its road appeal.

It starts with the right sort of power. The 3.5-litre V6 engine uses the latest technology to produce its silky get-up-and-go. Along with variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust cams, it uses a blend of port and direct fuel injection. This combination brings a smooth idle, a free-revving work ethic and, more importantly, 306... // Ottawa Citizen