IN THIS FEATURE First ever Lexus diesel Better-looking than the 3-Series Competitive equipment levels Diesel is crucial to Lexus Hugely accomplished chassis

Some seven years after it first appeared, Lexus has replaced the IS200 with an all-new car.

This one is longer and wider than the car it replaces, but the really big news is that it offers the first-ever diesel engine in the Lexus range. (The petrol is a real gem, too, a 204bhp 2.5-litre V6 that spins sweetly to its high rev limit.)

But first, a brief overview of the car (we'll bring you the full-fat 4Car IS road test early next week).

A little podgy from the rear

When we first laid eyes on the new IS at Geneva, we weren't at all convinced by the styling. But it turns out to be one of those cars that just looks so much better in natural light and on the road (the Maserati Quattroporte is another). Muscular shoulders, very short front overhang and a steeply raked front 'screen give the car subtle, graceful aggression. The proportion of sideglass to body depth enhances that sense. In fact, the only angle we don't particularly like is the rear three-quarters, where the expanse of metal between rear wheel arch and sideglass makes the car look a little bum-heavy, even "podgy" at a push.