All natural alternative

IN an automotive world where almost every luxury manufacturer has downsized its big engines and substituted displacement with forced induction, Lexus stands out for its muscular, naturally aspirated five-litre, V8 engine.

This high-revving petrol unit delivers 470 hp and 530 Nm to the rear wheels - smoothly, linearly and most importantly, without unnecessary turbo lag. It is actually a massively upgraded version of the one which debuted in the IS F more than seven years ago. The result is that it revs higher with maximum torque available earlier but runs on the Atkinson cycle for improved fuel efficiency.

The V8 drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed gearbox that is so fast it is hard to believe it is actually a conventional automatic transmission with a torque converter. The Sports Direct Shift transmission downshifts quickly and obediently when the left steering wheel-mounted paddle is pulled. There is no hesitation and so direct that engine braking can be harnessed to slow you down instead of having to stomp on the brake pedal itself.