It's funny that one of the loudest cars on the road this year comes from a manufacturer that makes some of the quietest. Of course, when first entering a German-dominated market full of performance sedans, it is important to make some noise- both visually and aurally.

The tester was loaded at $68,000 which you'll find relatively reasonable after adding up the features.

The Japanese hooligan
It's called the Lexus IS F, and it's the automakers most politically incorrect model badged by the dirtiest letter of the alphabet. A shot at the likes of the Audi RS4, Mercedes C63 AMG and BMW's M3, it's yet another sensible sedan that's had had a syringe full of Amphetamines emptied into its jugular.

In the case of the IS F, the V6 was dumped in favor of a 416 horsepower, 5-litre V8. How American sounding! An 8-speed automatic with paddle shift, crushing brakes, and slammed suspension are all fitted, and the car is followed around by an engine tone that could melt steel.

The raised hood, under-bite bumper, side gills and spiny looking wheels give it a face like deep-sea viperfish. It's all very intentional- less calculated and discreet but more youthful and brazen in its presentation. Compared to the Germans, IS F looks like some teenagers got their hands on the standard car and a stolen Visa, and then took it on an all expenses paid trip to "Go-Fast-Goodie-Land".

Noise
Exceed 3,600 RPM with the throttle down, and the IS F makes a startling, throaty snort that resonates throughout the cabin. The exhaust is arranged in vertically-mounted quad tips and sounds like pure American muscle. It leaves crowds of onlookers with their heads turned and proves a shocking sound for a Lexus to make. It's very serious business.

The powerplant is based on the same 4.6 litre V8 that powers the luxury flagship LS model. Though punched out to five litres and fitted with track-tuned support systems, it retains much of the eerily smooth character that defines it in other applications.

It's a liquid-smooth gem of an engine to be sure- though its ever-present exhaust drone tells you there's lots going on. It's not a rev-monster like the M3 or RS4, coming off more like a Harley than a street-bike.

In the case of the IS F, the V6 was dumped in favor of a 416 horsepower, 5-litre V8.