Lexus has finally revealed the secret V8 car it has worked on. It’s not called the IS F this time, well. All new for 2022, it is now called the IS 500 F Sport.
I have a problem with that name, which I will come back to later. But if we are to believe the specifications, it will certainly be a performer.
This fall, the IS500 will not use turbos or superchargers like other car manufacturers. It’s all natural with Lexus. Its naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 produces 472 hp and 395 hp lb-ft of torque. Keep in mind that this is the same V8 that serves the RC F and LC coupé.
That power is obtained through the same eightspeed automatically found in the basic IS models. But don’t worry, it’s tuned for performance. Lexus claims a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds. It gets 24 mpg on the highway.
G / O Media can receive a commission
Changes below go a bit fudifferent, parts with the IS350 F Sport components such as a limited-slip differential and adaptive dampersThese are combined with a standard dynamic fulfillment package that should make this thing funn winding roadsIt’s weird, but you’d think Lexus would have put more effort into designing an engineering model.specific performance goodies for the IS500 rather than sharing them with a more base model. The only performance-enhancing pieces which appear to be exclusive to the IS500 are bigger brakes (14 inch front, 12.7 inches rear) and 19-inch Enkei wheels. Lexus says these wheels are lighter than those on the 350 F Sport.
It will be easy to see the difference between an IS500 and IS350 on the outsideIts bulging hood, Enkei wheels, rear spoiler and diffuser are specific to the model. And with a nod to the past, Lexus has brought back the IS F’s quad exhaust. However, it remains to be seen if they are actually connected to anything.
Within, the differences are subtle. The IS500 gets a digital instrument cluster, reinforced sports seats, aluminum pedals and a steering wheel with a small F Sport badge on it. No special piping, or contrasting stitching or anything special. Just by looking at the interior you can’t really tell that this is a performance model. There is no word about prices not yet
While it is a welcome addition, especially since it has a V8, I have a problem with both the name and the F brand. This model confirms that F as a standardonly performance brand is really unrelated to Lexus. F came about as a performance answer to M, AMG, etc. Except nothing worth mentioning ever came off.
The IS F made headlines and then disappeared, the RC F is a dated performer (wasn’t quite an artist when it debuted) and the GS F has largely been forgotten. The brand has been one ever sinceshow no-go trim for every model in the Lexus line
This new name on the IS implies that there is a standard IS500 and that is this model an F Sport vversion of that model. If F is gonna be nothing, Lexus has to come out and say it. Otherwise this IS500 should be interesting, especially with it maybe as one of the last new V8 models before entering our EV future.