For those of you who don’t want to be a sheep with an Audi RS4 or BMW M3, you may be interested in Lexus’ announcement of their new and improved IS F.  Headline changes consist of a new limited slip differential, a swanky new satellite navigation system and an outrageous 14 speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system.

The IS F was well received in the motoring press since its production began a few years ago and this new announcement will serve only to swell the positive opinion on Lexus’ high performance take on their IS model.

The LSD is now fitted as standard and will allow its owners to enjoy improved handling and stability that saw Lexus’ own engineers shave a couple of seconds of their previous best at Fuji International Speedway.  The LSD obviously has no effect on the two headline speed figures many of us immediately look to of the dash to just over 60 and what it will do flat out.  0-62mph (100km/h) will arrive in 4.8s and the unchanged 5.0L V8 will allow you to run up to 168mph before an electronic limiter calls time on the fun.

New satellite navigation system covers all of Europe

Inside, the 2010 IS F features a new satellite navigation system that covers maps across all of Europe and handily also overlays local traffic information to ensure you can avoid the jams in pursuit uninterrupted driving pleasure.  You can even load in some of your own songs to the system, with 10GB of disc space being available should you want a permanent home for your favourite tracks.

If you’re not content with the glorious 420hp V8 soundtrack as music for your ears then fear not as Lexus has fitted a whopping 14-speaker Mark Levinson 5.1 surround system inside the upgraded IS F.  You’ll also now be able to pick up DAB digital broadcasts as well as plug in any media device via a new USB port, with the standard aux-in remaining allowing easy connectivity for your portable music devices.

At £55,595 OTR and available now, are you tempted to shell out on Lexus IS F’s riposte to the Germans?