So when Lexus introduces a new vehicle for Europe, most luxury automakers just smirk and sip their tea. Especially a little pup like the 2006 Lexus IS sports sedan, which Europeans know as a Toyota. Across the pond, however, officials inside the North American offices of these same prim luxury automakers are hitting the Whiskey and thinking deep and mean thoughts. Here, where the Eagle Flies, a new Lexus IS sport sedan means more competition from the Relentless One. Whiskey is a good drink when that happens, especially given the sobering fact that we buyers in America will be seeing the new IS soon – very soon – in New York, with its invigorating new design, new powertrains and enough technology to make a Radio Shack clerk squeal.

The design of the IS follows in the footsteps of the recently introduced GS, which is based on the LF-A design concept introduced earlier at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. That super car concept captured the idea of flowing lines, action and taut pressure in specific areas, and the IS delivers much the same in a smaller dimension.