The overall feel is hard edged and sharp, making this Lexus the most athletic and best looking yet. If the taut body is trying to tell you something, you will not be disappointed. This was a parts bin move as this is the same cast iron block and aluminum head unit currently used in the SC 300 and GS 300. In IS form,it cranks out 215 hp at 5,800 rpm and 218 pounds of torque at 3,800 rpm. For the time being, at least for a few months, the only tranny you can get is a 5 speed auto with E-shift.
Buttons located on the steering wheel can manually control shifting.
To activate the system, simply move the floor shifter to the left and a large box below the fuel gauge will tell you what gear you are in. Press again and it will down shift again. To upshift, us the buttons on the backside of the wheel. When you come to a stop and the E-Shift is in 3, then the tranny will start in first, shift to second and third and then hold until a button is pushed. Pressing a button will cause a nearly instantaneous, positive shift up or down.