LOUD PEDDLE (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 127

Think Lexus and you'll probably end up with the mental image of something that's quieter than a snooker commentator after a hard night's karaoke, that's supremely comfortable, and probably rather anonymous. These are words you'd never use to describe the snarling IS F sports saloon, a car that seemed to blow many of Lexus' previous brand touchstones clean out of the water. As a drivers' car, it stood comparison with the best that BMW's M, Audi's RS and Mercedes-Benz's AMG divisions could produce but it never built a big following. All of which means that if you want a used bargain that's not going to let you down and might just be the most exciting steer of the lot, the IS F could be just the ticket.

Modelsword count: 4

(4dr saloon 5.0-litre petrol)

Historyword count: 306

Lexus has never really had a history of sporting saloons. In fact, if you take a wider view on things, Lexus has never really had much of a history of anything, the brand only being founded in 1989. The car that made the company was the LS400, which did a very particular thing. It took the best of what was already being sold by the German manufacturers and improved on it. And that is the template the company set out to repeat with the IS F. By the time of its introduction in 2008, BMW had long enjoyed market success with its M3 and both Mercedes and Audi had also done well with hot versions of their C-Class and A4 models respectively. Lexus wanted in and its response was unveiled at the 2007 Detroit Show. The IS F was a genuine show stopper, powered by a monster normally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine and with the styling to back that up. While Lexus may have lacked sporting pedigree, it was clear that some of the best brains in the Toyota organisation had been looking for an outlet for their dynamic talents since the company had binned the MR2, the Celica and the Supra. The IS F proved that if you wanted a truly exciting executive supersports saloon, you didn't need to buy German. The car didn't sell in big numbers though, despite positive reviews from the motoring press. Revisions came in 2010 with the overdue fitment of a limited slip differential, HDD satellite navigation, DAB audio and also some niceties such as the option of a white leather interior and some alternate alloy wheel designs. Emissions were also dragged into line with Euro5 standards. The last of the IS F models rolled out of dealerships in early 2013 as the IS range was replaced by an all-new model.

What You Getword count: 206

While IS-F customers aren't going to be bewildered by choice, they'll certainly appreciate what they get as standard. Equipment levels are strong, as you'd expect from Lexus. Massive 360mm diameter front brake discs with six-pot calipers, 19-inch alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport boots and the additional cost of that massively sophisticated gearbox all help to explain the hefty asking price. IS-F customers also get eight airbags, twin-mode stability control, traction control, brake assist and brakeforce distribution. Security too is out of the top drawer with locking systems to confound the cleverest crooks. The IS remains a very smart piece of design and the dynamic makeover of gently bulging wheel arches, four tail pipes, anthracite alloy wheels and air vents in the trailing edge of the front wings gives it just the muscle it needed without lapsing into cliche or caricature. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of the interior which falls a little flat in the visual drama stakes. Yes, there is a smattering of carbon fibre, paddle shifters peek out from behind the steering wheel, there's a drilled pedal set and the instrument needles are finished in blue, but some beefier seats wouldn't have gone amiss, nor would a classy alcantara-trimmed steering wheel.

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