The Lexus IS-F is set to shake up the premium performance sedan sector, until now dominated by BMW’s M3 and Audi’s now defunct RS4. With virtually identical power outputs and performance figures the IS-F, on paper at least, looks the M3 square in the eyes.

Which means the opinion of Tiff ‘Oversteer’ Needell is long overdue. Tiff puts the IS-F through its paces on road and track and aside from finding the gearshift buzzer highly annoying, comes away mightily impressed. Is it an M3 beater? It could be - depending on your priorities. If you like larger capacity, V8 grunt and swiss-watch build quality then the IS-F could be right up your alley… Click through for the video.