During our time with the car you see above you, we were twice asked how long we had the Lexus IS F in for.

“Ah,” we replied with a knowing look, “but it’s not an IS F.” Nope – although with its flared bumpers it bears a distinct air of F-ness about it, it’s actually an IS300. But its sporting the F Sport bodykit. This is one of a new line of products from Lexus, which is trying to show potential customers that it can do sporty as well as luxurious and reliable.

Think of the F Sport range as similar to a Mercedes-Benz with an AMG package, or a BMW with an M Sport kit. Sure, they don’t have the power and tech of a proper AMG, an M car or, in this case, the IS F, but then they don’t have price tag either.

We pootled around in the IS300 F Sport for the weekend of the Dubai Motor Show and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and rather enjoyed the extra sense of occasion that the kit gave. It’s cosmetic only, with the bumper, rear spoiler and F Sport badges marking it out from a regular IS. But it definitely gives the standard car a visual boost.