[Auto] High Performance 2022 Lexus IS500 F Bows

[HiTLeR]

 

IS 500 F Sport boasts more power

V8 rated at 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque

0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds

Exterior sports performance accents

 

Lexus is adding to its F Sport Performance lineup with the all-new 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance, complete with a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine that makes 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque.  That’s slightly less horsepower than the much-loved Lexus IS F that the company stopped producing last year. But Lexus says that the IS 500 F Sport Performance will do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.

 

The Lexus F Sport line has always delivered engaging, performance-oriented driving in a luxury vehicle, and with the new Lexus IS 500 F Sport, the company says it’s doubling down on “elevating the vehicles to a new standard of performance and handling,” according to the press release. While the IS line is the entry-level for the brand, the new 2022 IS 500 F Performance is wading into a relatively crowded segment. Rivals include the BMW M340i, Genesis G80, Mercedes-Benz AMG C63, Audi S4, and the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400.

 

Performance Upgrades

The new model boasts a throatier exhaust with dual, stacked tailpipes, some special blacked-out chrome bits, and wheels. It employs the same 8-speed transmission from the IS 300 and IS 350 RWD and gets the drive mode selects of Sport and Sport S+, which both change the transmission mapping to improve performance. In Sport S+ mode, power steering assist and damping forces adjust for even sportier handling.

 

Lexus says that with the IS 500, they are building on their focus to deliver “confidence and a linear connection between driver and vehicle.” To that end, the IS 500 F Performance will come standard with a Dynamic Handling Package which includes adaptive suspension and a limited-slip differential to improve handling into and out of turns. The company also further tuned the chassis so that the IS 500 should be both stable at high speeds and comfortable at low speeds, a tricky line to walk in performance sedans.

Lexus hasn’t released pricing details yet, but the IS 500 F Sport will go on sale sometime this fall. We expect it to start at around $50,000.