exactly :-). There is 2-3hp difference in measurment standard and rest is actual difference in tune.

 

http://www.lexus.ca/lexus/experience...262T&year=2006

Here is the review in Australia it looks like
http://www.drive.com.au/editorial/ar...vf=2&bg=1&pp=1



Lexus IS leaps forward
The Sydney Morning Herald
Friday June 24 2005

The quickest version yet gets PETER LYON's pulse racing.




There's a revolution happening at Lexus. Tired of being accused of derivative styling, and of producing very formal, proper models that stay well within the envelope of inspired design and class-leading handling, the upmarket Toyota division is reinventing itself.

And at a proving ground on Japan's northern-most island of Hokkaido, Drive was one of the first to jump behind the wheel of the all-new IS, the entry-level model charged with breaking the Lexus mould. And the news is good; by this writer's estimation the new Lexus IS350 is the most delicious piece of hardware to come from the Toyota group since the Supra or even MR2 of the early '90s.

Slightly bigger in every dimension and with a 60mm longer wheelbase, the new model mixes Lexus traditionalism with new sharp lines including a high muscular belt line ending in a tight stylish tail-light treatment.

The new IS is based on the Japanese-spec Crown and comes with a choice of two engines: a 2.5 litre V6 borrowed from the Crown sedan and the newly developed
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3.5 litre V6 flagship unit. However, as engine output has not yet been finalised, Lexus could not give us exact figures. But not wanting to steer us in the wrong direction, chief engineer Suguya Fukusato told us we can expect to see the new line-up in showrooms generating around 165kW for the 2.5 litre and a hugely impressive 233kW for the 3.5 litre. No official acceleration figures were available, but I put my stopwatch on the IS350 and recorded a 0-100kmh time of around 5.9 seconds and 7.2 seconds for the 2.5 litre. Power is instant and progressive, offering a far more compelling experience than its predecessor.

The paddle-fitted six-speed sequential gearbox effortlessly passed through the gears and a top speed of 265kmh reveals true top-end power. Engine torque is strong from 2000rpm and with the smooth-changing automatic you have torque on tap at just about any speed. The exhaust sound has been given a beefy, metallic note to add sportiness.

On the road, the highly rigid chassis and sporty suspension package provide some of the best handling in the segment. The cabin is quieter than any car in its class with road noise and vibration minimal. The interior employs soft-flowing contours, superb materials, an exquisite 13-speaker Pioneer sound system and nice little touches, such as illuminated rings inside the speedo and tacho that indicate when a certain speed or preset rev count has been reached.

We can expect to see the new IS at the Sydney Motor Show in October.

 

"The exhaust sound has been given a beefy, metallic note to add sportiness."

WOW....i really wanna know how it will sound like....hope it will be similar to the G35 exhaust note....i love the way they sound

 

is that white? its pretty nice

 

A nice, if brief, review, with very promising information. I wonder what sort of surface is the testing track they are using? I am still a bit paranoid about the handling on less-than-perfect surfaces.

 

'based on the Toyota Crown' that's engine only right?