In February, Lexus announced that its V8 engine was not going to die yet. The 2022 IS 500 F Sport Performance filled the brand’s V8-shaped gap and the resulting car looked like an all-time winner. But now the brand is taking it a step further with its limited launch edition, which it released on Friday.
Now it is important to note that this limited number of vehicles is not huge different from what the production model will be. But the tweaks it has made for this 500 car ride are beautiful and really show the impact a handful of modifications can have on a car. And we lucky ducks here in North America will be the only people who have a chance to buy this model.
The main difference here is the exterior color scheme, which is called IncognitoThis shade of gray is exclusive to the Launch Edition, and while I’m normally not a big fan of car neutrals, this color is actually quite neat. I don’t really know how to describe it. It’s almost matte in the way it absorbs light, but it still retains a beautiful, shiny reflection that I think you can see your face in it. It’s somethingwhbetween a more traditional gray and a white. And because it’s a dull-sounding color on paper, it translates beautifully into photos. I’ve heard it’s even better in real life.
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Here are the specs and some of the big changes:
- 472 horsepower, 5.0-liter V8 with 395 pound-feet of torque
- 19-inch, seven-spoke matte black BBS wheels
- B.lack and gray Ultrasuede around the seats, doors, and center console
- S.silver ash wood trim on steering wheel
- Engraved plate on the dashboard that shows which car number is yours
These models don’t have a price tag yet, but they will be released later this year, probably in the fall.
Now Lexus just needs to learn the value in a simplified name.