We see much the same aggression/grace on the inside too, with delicate touches such as the silver trim, leather upholstery and minimalist centre console layout interspersed with F emblems, fiery red colour scheme, and matching F-spec blue stitching on the door panels. ‘Cosy’ sums up cabin space nicely though, with leg and headroom being one of the main issues (even with the seat in its lowest setting) and the enveloping nature of the dual cockpit design making the cabin a bit claustrophobic.
No matter. Firing the big V8 into life emits a determined growl from the exhaust valves, the blue neon odometer needle swinging abruptly up to max and back down again. We appear to be back in business.
Strange then – when we consider the performance nods both externally, internally and under the bonnet – that initial impressions of the drive are quite sedate. The fiery temperament I’d anticipated fails to materialise in favour of a smooth ride, comfortable sports seats and diminished road noise. The automatic box is so smooth that shifts barely register, steering is light but with enough heft to keep you connected to the front Pirellis, and the infotainment system (despite the screen’s infuriating habit of switching back to the SatNav map if left untouched for fifteen seconds) is refreshingly straightforward. I am wondering when I’ll get a chance to use the ‘Snow’ button though, which is located on the console behind the steering wheel.
The IS F though does have two jokers up its sleeve. The first is Sport mode, which – thanks to a solitary button on the steering wheel – is either on or off. Switch it on and the change is remarkable. The low rumble from the exhaust valves heightens to a growl as the engine remaps for more immediate response, the steering heft becomes tauter and the suspension firmer. The second joker arrives when you select manual on the eight-speed gearbox, and hit 3500 revs.
Out of nowhere, a throaty roar comes barrelling from the exhaust as 416 horses are sent neighing and stampeding in unison, this heightened acceleration pushing you further into the sport seats. On the approach to 5000 revs, three small bars appear on the odometer (which, by the by, takes precedence over the speedometer on the dashboard), allowing you to maximise the effect of the next upshift. A flick of the fingers on the right paddle slots the next gear home beautifully, a small kick to your lower back re-emphasising the aggression of the Lexus that seems to have sprung from nowhere.
