NAPA VALLEY, Calif. – Life is all about the type of fun you prefer. For some, a cherry-red 2005 Lexus IS is where they need to be: bright-eyed good times, attitude in the translation of a single strong and compelling statement: Old man, I am filling up your rearview mirror.

Ah. Such youthful exuberance. The indisputable fact is that the 2005 Lexus IS was -- and is -- the perfect automotive symbol for the intelligence, optimism and energy of young men and women whose horizons are defined only by the breadth of their dreams. For those dreamers, Lexus presents the 2006 Lexus IS, with three trims from which to choose, one being an all-wheel-drive variant. With more power, thanks to a 3.5-liter V6 offered in the IS 350, to a stellar transmission – whether you choose auto or stick -- and safety features that include Toyota’s noteworthy Pre Collision System (PCS) and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system.

Put it together and it makes for a more mature vehicle. And smarter, too, thanks to technology that will save your life, make it easier to hear your favorite song and even allow you have more fun on the road. The evolution of the luxury brand’s entry-level car matches the growth of its buyers, as they move from show-me-the-money whoop it up fun to a more refined and mature symbol of the definition. The latter is, ultimately, one that is more fulfilling, and what we all increasingly expect from Lexus: a suave, fun to drive car equipped with the latest in terms of serious safety and performance technology.