I like it, it looks very nice......a bit too generic IMHO.
Kudos to Lexus on the resemblence to the 06 GS, but not an exact carbon copy like the Volvo S40 S60 S80.

On the other hand, all the signatures on the original Altezza / IS are gone.
Chronograph cluster (not that a lot of people will miss it), Altezza lights, yellow fogs, Escaine seats, chorme ball shifter, power dome hood and that sexy shrink-wrapped sheet metal body.
It looks just a tiny little bit bloated to me........

I'm sure the new look will grow on me, hopefully they will really make a wagon/sportcross variant.

 

My first impression of the new IS is WOW. Now that I've seen the '06 GS in person and how exceptional it is inside and out, I can see how Lexus has designed the next IS to be 2-3 levels further than the current-gen IS. Even in stock form it looks awesome on the outside (love the front bumper and sides). The rear is OK, but reminds me too much from that of the TL. I wonder if we'll see LED tails like in the GS?

Only suggestion I have right now is to replace the bulky rear view mirrors with ones that are smaller (or even like the ones from the BMW M3)

All in all, major so far to Lexus for redesigning their luxury sports sedan for the 2006 lineup.

 

This thing looks good!

I remember when pictures of the new GS came out, there was a lot of people who either didn't like it or wasn't sure.

But the new IS is a whole different story. It looks like A LOT of people here like it. The rear reminds me of either the TSX or the TL for some reason. But overall, I think it looks great.

 

Official press release mentioned only diesel engine figures - 175hp and 400Nm. No info for 2.5 V6. I sure hope Rockville is right with his 215hp prediction. Friend of mine is in Geneva, he said pictures don't do this car justice - it is VERY beautiful, and he is not a Lexus fan Paddle shifter for automatic is nice, wonder how fast will it will change and can we select full manual and/or auto downshifting and manual upshifts.

 

omg, damn this is very very nice!!!!!! i like the car already!!!!!

and finally lexus has some better wheels for their cars, this is great start!!!!!!!

somehow i have a feeling that lexus is serious about going head to head with other big dogs!

 

This is probably the best angle I've seen so far. Nice!! I do agree with the comments saying the rear lights look a bit too square, but overall the exterior is very well done.

 

OMG!!!! I LOVE IT!!

. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the interior.

 

Um...the interior design is pretty good, better than the GS as many people have commented.

But somehow the wood looks faker/cheaper. The metal trim around the dash looks even more plastic than the one in the GS. Or is it just me?

 

Gotta see it in person, touch it to really know That's not really a bona fide pic you're seeing now.

 

I'm a FAN!!

Interior:
Exterior:

The only thing that I see as something I may not like is the headlight reflector material, in the head on pictures it doesn't look right. I'll wait to see them in person before passing judgement though.

 

There's "only" going to be a 40 hp difference between the new 325i (215 hp) and 330i (255 hp), so it's not exactly unheard of.

 

. . . except the IS350 is a full litre larger in displacement than the IS250

 

i am so getting the new IS. i love it!

 

MODELS
IS350 RWD
IS250 RWD
IS250 RWD, 6 speed Manual
IS250 AWD, 6 Speed sequential shift Auto.

Std features
Smart Access
Optitron Instrument Cluster
Power Tilt/Telescopic Wheel
Audio, Bluetooth, Voice Activation and Display Controls on Steering Wheel
10-Way power seats with memory for driver and passenger
Wood and Metal trim interior
Dual Zone Auto Climate Control
Mini Plug accessory Connector
Illuminated Scuff Plates on door sills
AM/FM/CD, 13-speaker audio system

Options
Ventilated Seats
Touch Screen-Voice Activated Nav
Mark Levinson
Adaptive Cruise Control
Park Assist
Rain sensing Wipers with Headlamp washers
Power rear sunshade

 

I like the more aggresive styling approach Lexus is taking, however I'm not totally satisfied with the IS.

I like the back, the side view is alright, and the interior appears great (similar to the new GS's interior). BUT, I just cannot like the front of the car. I've been trying too. The headlights don't appear to be an original design, and something is wrong with that ugly bumper. The front of the car just has that typical Japanese look (Nissan, Infiniti). I don't mean to offend anyone. I'm just trying to say that the LS and GS seem to have more of a Euro design to them.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone seem to see a resemblance with the new IS' tailights with some other car? I can't connect the two cars together.

I hope AWD will also be offered on the 350. If it does not, I'll definitely be leaning toward the new 330xi. I hope the 250 doesn't seem anemic if it has about 215 hp?! This is the best interior by far, but I like the exterior of the new 3 more. I can't wait to read the magazine comparisons with this car and the 3, and test drive them myself.