Beast mode: Lexus presents the IS 500 F Sport

MANILA: Lexus is set to launch the first-ever model in the new Lexus F Sport Performance lineup, the IS 500. The new sports sedan was conceptualized by Lexus Chief Engineer Naoki Konayashi and the Lexus International team to cater the North American market.

The Lexus IS 500 is motivated by a 5.0-liter V8 engine, which produces greater displacement and performance compared to the IS 350’s 3.5-liter V6 powertrain. The engine delivers a maximum power output of 472hp at 7,100 rpm and a maximum torque of 395lb-ft at 4,800 rpm. The vehicle has the ability to accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The IS 500 has an estimated 24 mpg highway rating. To amplify the car’s engine, the IS 500 uses a husky quad exhaust system with dual stacked tail pipes, which was derived from the other Lexus F models.

The IS 500’s powertrain is paired to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission, similar to the IS 300 and IS 350 RWD. The vehicle has a drive mode select feature that allows the driver to choose between the Sport S and Sport S+ modes. It also comes with a Custom mode, which lets the driver configure the settings of the engine (Normal, Eco, or Power), chassis (Normal or Sport), and air-conditioner (Normal or Eco).

The IS 500 comes with the IS RWD F Sport’s Dynamic Handling Package (DHP) including an adaptive variable suspension (AVS) and a Torsen limited slip differential (DSP). This all-new performance vehicle is also equipped with a Yamaha rear performance damper to enhance the performance of the chassis. For better aerodynamics, the vehicle uses brake cooling enhancements, 14.0-inch two-piece aluminum front rotors and 12.7-inch rear rotors.

The Lexus IS 500 uses the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 which includes more advanced road safety features compared to the brand’s previous safety system. It includes a pre-collision system (PCS) with frontal collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), pedestrian detection and bicyclist detection, and emergency steering assist (ESA). The PCS uses a lens camera and millimeter-wave radar elements to detect any obstruction even in low-light conditions.

Another safety feature is the improved all-speed dynamic radar cruise control (DRCC) which increases the vehicle’s acceleration to prepare in changing lanes when the driver engages the turn signal. This results in smooth overtaking of slower vehicles.

The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 also includes a Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/ SA) feature that alerts the driver once it detects an unintentional lane departure at speeds of over 32 miles per hour through steering wheel vibrations and verbal alert. The IS 500 also features a Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) function to guide the driver to stay in the lane by recognizing the lane markers or the preceding vehicle. The LTA provides a warning to the driver through visual notification and steering vibration or audible alert.

The Lexus IS 500 also includes intelligent high beams, which senses nearby vehicles and automatically shifts between high beam and low beam headlamps. Another safety feature is the Road Sign Assist (RSA) that detects the road sign information using the camera and navigation maps. The information is then displayed on the cabin’s multi-information display (MID).

Compared to the standard IS 350 F Sport, the Lexus IS 500 gets a higher hood with center character linear accents. It is also designed with a longer front bumper and fenders to accommodate the large powertrain. Despite having a more powerful engine, the vehicle weighs 3,891 pounds, which makes it only 143 pounds heavier than the IS 350 F Sport. The IS 500 also features lighter 19-inch Enkei wheels. The vehicle’s exterior is also designed with a lower rear diffuser accent and, dark chrome window trim, and the black IS F Sport rear lip spoiler.

All Lexus F Sport Performance models, starting with the 2022 IS 500, will be accented with unique black badging on the sides create a distinction from the older Lexus F models.

The IS 500’s cabin features a leather-wrapped steering wheel and door sill scuff plates that are embellished with black F Sport Performance badging. It is also equipped with the IS F Sport accelerator pedal, brake pedal, and footrest. The vehicle’s instrumentation meter features an IS 500-exclusive startup animation.

Photos from Lexus

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