We'll leave those descriptions to the eyes of the beholders, but there's no question the new IS looks sporty, carrying forward the themes first seen in recent Lexus concept cars and in the production GS models. Its stance is purposeful, with hips elevated like a sprinter in the blocks, muscles tensed, ready to spring. The nose presents the fierce glare of a car that wants to be first in line. The steeply angled hood, made of weight-saving aluminum, is framed by the determined glower of projector beam headlamps and a deep front spoiler and large intake. It's unmistakably Lexus but visually fresh.
Despite being 3.5 inches longer, 3.0 inches wider and with 2.4 more inches of wheelbase and 1.9 inches of rear track, the additional size was used to good effect, allowing extra interior room as well as a more substantial platform on which to integrate the complex suspension and numerous subsystems.
Long sessions in the wind tunnel ensure the IS slips through the air with quiet stability. In addition to the distinct aerodynamic wedge of the overall shape, a number of small details contribute to the exceptional coefficient of drag (0.28). A front underbody structure creates downforce between the front wheels, a small air kicker integrated in the taillamps helps separate turbulence from the rear corners and reduces drag, and a small trunklid spoiler increases rear downforce."
