IF STAR Wars villain Darth Vader ever needed anything as humble as a car to get around in, this Lexus would fit the bill nicely.

A true devil in disguise, the IS F is a Lexus that has a certifiably insane streak.

A simple trot through the specifications is enough to identify some potential problems in this increasingly environmentally-conscious world– a 5.0-litre V8 engine producing 417 horsepower, 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 168mph. Not to mention Group 20 insurance.

But perhaps behind this madness there is method. The IS F – that’s F as in Fuji Speedway where the car was born – was the brainchild of two Lexus engineers who wanted to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, BMW M3 and Audi RS4 and win.

They clearly got approval for their plan before the latest wave of political correctness swept over the car industry.

For the IS F with its howlingly impressive exhaust tone which blows from four triangular exhaust pipes, forged BBS 19-inch alloy wheels and stiff, low-slung suspension is about as un-PC a car as it is possible to imagine.

This Lexus was devised by car enthusiasts for car enthusiasts and in engineering terms they have taken no prisoners.

Pre-production testing was carried out at race circuits around the world with track-proven modifications made to the suspension to cut weight and increase rigidity. Sitting an inch closer to the ground than other IS models, the IS F also has a lower centre of gravity.

The awesome engine is matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission, a development of the unit that made its debut in the Lexus LS 460.

You can choose between ultra-quick manual shifts in M mode, using paddle shifts on the steering wheel. Lexus says the direct shift mechanism means upshifts are among the quickest in any road car system, effected in a tenth of a second. On downshifts, the transmission uses a blipping control to match the engine speed at high revs, accomplishing the shifts in just three tenths of a second.

To keep the package under control, Lexus has adapted its so-called Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system, which manages the operation of the anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronically controlled brake limited slip differential and vehicle stability control.

The system also controls the three gearshift modes – Sport, Normal and Snow – and adapts the electric power steering to match.

While much of the effort has naturally focused on the unseen engineering of the car, there are a host of creature comforts, from electrically-adjustable seats and 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, to satellite navigation, six DVD autochanger, adaptive cruise control and rear park assist monitor.

The Lexus IS F is a monster of a car hiding beneath a mask of near decency.

Auto facts Lexus IS F

Price: £53,376

Insurance group: 20A

Fuel consumption (Combined): 24.8mpg

Top speed: 168mph

Length: 466cm/183.4in

Width: 181.5cm/71.4in

Luggage capacity: 13.3 cu ft

Fuel tank capacity: 14 gallons/64 litres

CO2 emissions: 270g/km

Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles