Geneva motor show - Lexus

So Lexus want so go faster
Geneva allows Europe to get its first look at the Lexus IS-F unveiled at Detroit a couple of months ago. It's not so much the launch of a car as the birth of a high-performance division from Lexus, to rival BMW's M cars, Mercedes' AMG and Audi's RS.

How is it managing this?
Lexus isn't doing things by halves, either. The IS-F, based on the Japanese company's compact executive saloon, has a 5.0-litre V8 developing 400bhp under the bonnet. That doesn't quite match the 414bhp produced by the Audi RS4, currently the most potent of the German rivals, but it's pretty healthy all the same.

Driving through the eight-speed automatic gearbox from the latest Lexus LS limo, it allows the IS to hit 60mph from standstill in less than five seconds. The IS-F has finely tuned suspension, too.

It comes to the UK next year, and will be priced to rival German cars like the BMW M3, on show in concept form, and any AMG version of the next Mercedes C-Class. Lexus promises that its core values of luxury and refinement won't be lost, though.

There are currently no plans for F Versions of any other Lexus models, but a sporty body kit for the RX 4x4 will be introduced later this year. And Lexus is committed to introducing a production version of the LF-A concept sports car, also on show in Geneva, at some time in the future.