The IS-F's arrival had me bouncing off the walls

I love Q-cars. Have done ever since a mechanically talented mate tinkered with his farmyard-spec diesel Defender to create a mud-clad destroyer of hot hatches. With the ability to spin all four wheels on bone-dry tarmac, mud flaps waving enthusiastically as it took off in pursuit of yet another Nova GTE, it was hugely entertaining.

A refusal to grow up means I still have the same sense of childish delight when confronted by a quick car that doesn’t shout about its potential. Which is why the arrival of a Lexus IS-F on the Fast Fleet had me bouncing off the walls. Must be the first time I’ve got excited about a grey Japanese saloon…

There’s no better colour for it than the aptly titled Dark Granite either – not if you’re serious about automotive camouflage. Bleakly purposeful, it cloaks the high-domed bonnet and sets off the gorgeous 19in BBS alloys perfectly.

There are other subtle visual prods: badging, sills, a sliver of rear spoiler. Only the stacked exhausts let the side down, carrying a faint whiff of Demon Tweeks. Nevertheless, I can’t think of another car available today that pulls off the Q-car thing as effectively as the IS-F. Even the brand is perfect. Lexus is understated, has no fast-car heritage and hence no level of expectation.

The end result is that I drove 300 miles in my first weekend with the car and only two people seemed to twig what it was, giving me knowledgeable nods rather than the instant baiting that accompanies forays in an M3.

It is a marvellous thing, with its 5-litre V8 discharging 417bhp through eight gears and one very trick electric rear diff. Where the M3 rasps, this growls – although only once you’re past 3800rpm, where the second air intake opens up. Below that the IS-F is meek mannered, almost timid, and not that grunty either.

This dual character is no bad thing, though – the near-silent engine blends well with the hushed cabin, soft seats and surprising fuel economy (26.8mpg with the family on board), making the IS-F a perfectly capable cruiser. Unfortunately you still have to tolerate a rather jerky, sudden ride – there are no switchable dampers here.

The IS-F does have just about everything else you could possibly want, though. Keyless entry, electric seats, reversing camera, radar cruise control and an epic sound system. And it’s all standard – the only option Lexus gives you is whether you want a sunroof.

I haven’t had much chance to give the chassis a proper workout yet, but we have a year to find what the IS-F is all about and whether it can deliver seat-of-the-pants thrills on a daily basis. Reckon it’s going to be fun finding out.