I SEEM to have been driving electric vehicles for ages so it felt time to get behind the wheel of something more visceral, something more stimulating to the senses.

But, nothing German. No Audi, Porsche, Merc or Beemer.

No, it was time for something more unique - the RC F - one of the most powerful, versatile and responsive cars Lexus has created. It is an absolute joy.

A raft of revisions arrived back in 2019, including a refreshed face, the addition of launch control, a limited slip diff, the option of carbon fibre composite body panels and a full-on Track Edition that comes with less weight, carbon ceramic brakes and a massive rear wing. The suspension was tweaked too.

At the RCF's beating heart is a naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine, producing 457bhp and 520Nm of torque. Every time you hit the Start button, your heart beats a little bit faster. The engine is mated to Lexus's eight-speed auto transmission, and has been designed to deliver instantaneous torque.

The 0-62mph sprint takes just 4.3 seconds, while the engine howls away gloriously.

As mentioned above, the powertrain also benefits from a limited-slip differential, which significantly enhances traction, handling and driving stability.

The RC F has been designed to be enjoyed by all driving enthusiasts, no matter what their level of expertise. To this end, it is equipped with sophisticated, switchable technologies which allow instant modification of the powertrain steering and chassis to suit individual drivers' abilities and any driving environment, from the everyday commute to track days.

To this end, there's a round knob on the centre console that switches between Normal, Eco, Sport S, Sport S+ and Snow. Sport S changes the dial readout, changes down gears during hard braking, and holds onto them for longer during acceleration. Sport S+ goes further with even quicker shifts, more steering weight, and activates the Sport mode in the VDIM - Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management - system.

Uniquely for a Lexus performance engine, the V8 switches to the more fuel-efficient Atkinson cycle when operating at cruising speeds, reverting to the Otto cycle when required to deliver higher performance.

Mooching around town, it's surprisingly docile, and easy thing to drive. The driving position is spot on, the view outside is good, it's well damped and it doesn't bounce you all over the road.

Get a bit feisty on a faster road and it's stable and rewarding with an ample amount of grip. There's massive fun to be had in repeatedly redlining the RC F, because of the way it sounds but that will hit your pocket hard!

The RC F runs on 19-inch alloy wheels, with extra-grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, designed specifically for the coupe.

The RC F's superb driver-focused interior is of the high standard you'd expect from Lexus and there's a strong feeling of luxury inside. The sculpted leather seats are firm but supportive and front-seat occupants will find it easy to get comfortable, with lots of adjustment and lumbar support. All models come with front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.

A 10.3-inch infotainment screen with satnav comes as standard and is operated using a touchpad in front of the central armrest. To be honest, I wish it wasn't. It's a faff.

Fortunately, the system includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring, allowing you to bypass most of the on-board operating system and use your phone's apps on the screen instead.

The rear seats are tiny and are best served for storing a few bags and coats.

The RC F has around 366 litres of boot space. All trim levels except the Track Edition come with a fold-down ski-hatch behind the centre armrest for loading long, narrow items through.

For the 2018 model year, Lexus Safety System+ became a standard feature on all RC F models. This included a blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition and automatic high beam headlights. In the cabin, occupants are protected by a suite of eight airbags.

£76,860

457bhp, 4,969cc, eight-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission

168mph

4.3 seconds

23.9

46

268g/km

BIK rating: 37%

3yrs/60,000 miles

4.2