Lexus has launched the 2022 IS 500 F Sport Performance model. It is the first model in the automaker’s new ‘F Sport Performance Line’ series. The biggest talking point is the 5.0-liter, V-8 engine under the hood. The IS moniker has been around for a long time now, but it’s still trying to find its feet as a worthy contender to the three Germans. Lexus has made a lot of mechanical enhancements to sell it as a sporty sedan, but only time will tell if a V-8 was all the IS needed to make a splash.

What’s Different On The Outside and Inside?

A non-enthusiast won’t be able to differentiate between the IS 500 F Sport Performance. Since the car accommodates a bigger V-8 engine here, changes are made to the front end. The attention-seeking grille and the headlights with boomerang DRLs are carried over, but the hood is raised by two inches.

The bumpers and fenders are lengthened. The IS 500 F Sport Performance comes with exclusive 19-inch split-10 spoke wheels sourced from Enkei. At the rear, there’s a revised lower rear diffuser accent and a black IS F Sport rear lip spoiler.

On the inside, the changes are even few. There’s a black F Sport Performance badge on the heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The same branding can be seen on the door sill scuff plates, too. The instrument cluster receives an updated startup animation, that is exclusive to this model. There are no details about its tech stuff, but if we’re to go by the 2021 IS, an eight-inch touchscreen could be offered as standard whereas a 10.3-inch touchscreen system will be available as optional. It will support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

What’s Under The Hood?

This high-revving engine is mated to the same eight-speed automatic gearbox as the Lexus IS 300 and IS 350. While the top speed is not announced yet, the IS 500 F Sport Performance will take 4.5 seconds to sprint to 60 mph from a standstill.

2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance specifications

Engine

5.0-liter, naturally-aspirated V-8

Horsepower

472 HP @ 7,100 RPM

Torque

395 LB-FT @ 4,800 RPM

0 to 60 mph

4.5 seconds


The sedan comes with two drive modes for enthusiastic driving – Sport S and Sport S+. Apart from the engine and transmission remapping, the Sport S+ adjusts the steering setup and the damping force, too. Lexus has also installed a throaty quad exhaust system with dual-stacked tailpipes that complement the V-8 engine well.

Furthermore, the sedan also comes with Dynamic Handling Package as standard, which includes Adaptive Variable Suspension and Torsen limited-slip differential. It also benefits from the addition of a Yamaha rear performance damper. For the braking duties, Lexus has installed 14.0-inch two-piece aluminum rotors at the front and 12.7-inch rotors at the rear. Despite all these add-ons, the IS 500 F Sport Performance weighs just 143 pounds more than the IS 350 with a V-6.

What About The Safety System?

The IS F Sport 500 comes with the company’s "Lexus Safety System+ 2.5". It includes:

-* Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Bicyclist Detection

-* Pre-Collision Warning System

-* All-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

-* Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go Functionality

-* Road-Sign Assist

-* Lane-Departure Alert with Steering Assist

Conclusion

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance will arrive at the dealerships this fall. The prices, interior and exterior color choices, and other things will be revealed closer to launch.