Lexus IS F

Jul 12 2009 Robin Roberts

IS F-un, that's the hot Lexus.

It is not the most politically correct of cars, nor the model for modest times, but for drivers who delight in dynamics it is little short of sensational.

With the welter of laws bearing down on drivers and government policies designed to destroy the pure pleasure of personal transport, it is easy to forget that motoring can still be fun until you slip behind the wheel of this wondercar.

Think Tokyo Drift, think Fast and Furious and you begin to understand the starting point for this super saloon which embodies four door, four seat practicality with body and nerve jarring super car performance.

The test car's dark grey paintwork with wide arches, tinted widows and stylish charcoal coloured alloys hinted at the horniness of this highly tuned Lexus. The deep front spoiler and quad oval exhaust pipes suggested there was something special under the bonnet as well.

Lexus engineers shoe-horned a 5.0 V8 417bhp engine into the space, stuck on a super-quick semi-automatic tiptronic eight-speed gearbox and then fitted a sports steering rack and massive high performance disc brakes with more pots than a troop of scouts could take camping.

Quicker than you could say 'dib-dib', the Lexus IS F fires up and rockets from rest, hitting 62mph in under five seconds and surges towards a claimed 168mph maximum. That's 13mph above the self-imposed 'sensible' 155mph limit of most performance saloons, but closer to the possible maximum speed potential of many exoticars.

The responsiveness, refinement and relative ease with which the IS F covers ground is truly exceptional and on a par with the best of its German rivals, but it delivers it all at a more attractive price as well.

What is more, at more modest speed, the Lexus IS F is a driver's delight on twisting sweeping roads with its responsiveness, precision and agility.

Superb visibility allows it to be accurately placed and the powerful lights and big wipers are excellent at night or in rain.

The delight of the dynamics with very good grip, excellent handling control and a firm but comfortable ride are matched by well placed, reassuringly positive secondary controls on stalks or fascia buttons. It is all designed around the driver.

Big clear instruments give instant readouts and the heating and ventilation is straightforward, works well and is backed up by powered windows.

I loved the figure hugging seats which locate occupants, their wide adjustment range and firm comfort for longer journeys.

Access to the roomy cabin is good but the boot opening restricts the size of items which can be placed inside and its total capacity is 378 litres. Inside the cabin, the oddments room is modest as well.

There is a wonderful exhaust note and some road rumbles from the big wheels and tyres, but other mechanical noises are very low and wind noise is muted.

It looks and feels very refined and sophisticated and it can give many bigger cars a run for their money and then return a lot of change as well.

In the sporting saloon class the Lexus IS F is very good value for money which means your savings will easily and quickly turn into smiles.

FAST FACTS

Lexus IS F

Price: £53,376

Mechanical: 417bhp, 4,969cc, 8cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels via 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Max speed: 168mph

0-62mph: 4.8 seconds

Combined mpg: 24.8

Insurance group: 20

C02 emissions: 270g/km

BIK rating: 35%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles