And personal taste or not, I would have preferred a genuine wood trim on the center stack instead of the now-common brushed aluminum/carbon fiber mix. Walnut wood appliqués are one of the brand's quality trademarks and they also enhance the readability of HVAC and audio controls. Speaking of audio, our tester came with the Series 2 Package which includes a superb Mark Levinson stereo.

The seats in the Ultrasonic Blue model were appointed in rich white leather, while those in our second Obsidian Black tester were draped in black leather. Useful storage compartments are found up front and in the door panels. I liked the flip-down/retractable center armrest, which freed up room for my elbow. The rear quarters are more suited for children than adults, as is the case with most German rivals except the all-new 2009 Audi A4. Likewise, trunk space will suit the needs of two adults but not a family of four.

The IS F V8 produces 416 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque.

Roaring engine
This 5.0L V8 is a success in every respect. It breathes well, revs like a clock and, oh yeah, it produces 416 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. It features a unique cylinder head oil recycling pump and an oil-based cooling system to ensure optimum lubrication at all times. The engine also boasts a new aluminum intake manifold, a revised titanium-cast intake valvetrain, a dual air-intake system as well as combined port and direct injection. Under acceleration, the exhaust note is beautifully delivered by dual stacked quad tailpipes, while at idle, the engine purrs like a kitten. At the end of our brief road tests, the onboard computer displayed an average fuel economy of 13.5 L/100 km, a figure that no rival can match.

8-speed automatic
All this power is sent to the rear wheels through an all-new 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission. While purists will denounce the lack of a manual gearbox, this unit fulfills its duties in commanding fashion. Actually, only the first gear requires the use of the torque converter; the ensuing upshifts are delivered almost instantly (one tenth of a second). Why 8 gears? To allow the car to quickly reach its top speed without running out of breath, explains Scott Pruett, race driver at Lexus. Quick downshifts in manual mode (M) are met with an automated throttle blip to match the appropriate engine speed. In other words, heel-and-toe driving is always perfectly executed.

You can also shift gears manually by using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel.