MOUNTAIN CLIMBER; Lexus unveils the next IS sport sedan.(launch of sports car by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. Lexus Div.)

Byline: MAC MORRISON

If Lexus gave out awards to its own cars, the second-generation IS unveiled at Geneva would certainly garner the company's Most Significant trophy, just as it scored the coveted AutoWeek hardware (AW, March 14) of the same name. Forget about a Formula One-inspired, six-figure supercar in the vein of the LF-A concept shown at Detroit (AW, Jan. 17). Build such a bank breaker and the Jay Lenos of the world will undoubtedly come, but the IS will serve as Lexus' Sherpa. It needs to carry the company's new look, new mechanicals and hoped-for buffed image up the mountain that forms the ultra-competitive entry-level luxury sport sedan segment.

BMW's all-conquering 3 Series, itself reborn for a fourth time and about to hit the U.S. market, waits for the IS at the summit, as do others. While proclaiming your compact sport sedan as a BMW rival has more often proven hollow, relatively new players like Infiniti's G35 show it can be done, and done well.

With the new IS, Lexus appears ready to fight the top contenders. Start with the exterior: Designed in southern France at Toyota Europe Design Development, the IS represents the continuation of the L-Finesse design philosophy and is the second production car after the GS to receive this treatment. Lexus says L-Finesse is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, with three fundamental elements including "incisive simplicity,'' "intriguing elegance'' and "seamless anticipation.'' Er, whatever. Basically, the IS just looks cool. The car's lines combine the best of the LF-C concept shown at the 2004 New York show (AW, April 19, 2004) with a touch of sinister avant-garde that likely has the SEMA set already whittling away at body kits.

Not that the IS needs much nipping or tucking. Viewed from the front, the car's convex and concave surfaces recall BMW's "flame surfacing'' style, but Lexus has pulled it off so that the entire execution appears tighter and more purposeful than any modern BMW. Quibble over details if you must, but park the IS and the forthcoming 3 Series side by side, and reputation notwithstanding, the more visually dynamic Lexus pops as the BMW pings. The stance is wide and low, the beltline is high and sharp, and the rear end-with dual exhaust and a chunky bumper-looks good. The same goes for the "arrowhead'' C-pillar configuration; it is intended to represent "Kirikaeshi,'' a rapid yet fluid change of direction seen throughout the car's design.

Expect the rear-drive IS to change direction on the road just as smoothly. Built from a new platform that Lexus says shares no parts with any of the company's other offerings, the car is substantially larger than the one it ...