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2022 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance
The high-performance Lexus IS sport sedan returns with the debut of the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance, brandishing a 472-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine sending power to the rear wheels. The last time Lexus offered a V8-powered IS sedan was the 2014 IS F, with the V6-powered IS 350 F Sport as the top performance variant of the previous-generation IS.
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New for 2022
Lexus updated the IS model line for 2021, and for 2022 Toyota’s luxury marque adds the IS 500 — the first vehicle of the new Lexus F SPORT Performance line and a step up from the IS 350 F SPORT. Powered by a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine producing a potent 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, the IS 500 also features a raised hood, dark chrome window trim, dual stacked quad exhaust outlets, 19-inch Enkei wheels and black F SPORT Performance badges.
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Performance Stats
For the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance, the 5.0-liter V8 engine gets mated with the same 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission as the IS 300 and IS 350 RWD, with manual shift via steering-wheel-mounted paddles. According to Lexus, the IS 500 accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds yet also achieves a manufacturer-estimated fuel-economy rating of 24 mpg highway. Drive Mode Select offers five options: Normal, Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Custom with adjustments to engine, transmission mapping, steering assist and damping force.
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2022 Launch Edition
Today Lexus announced that in fall 2022 Toyota’s luxury brand will offer the IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition, finished in the exclusive color of Incognito — a new hue for the Lexus color palette. The Launch Edition will have 19-inch 7-spoke forged alloy Matte Black BBS wheels that complement the understated exterior color. The wheels for the Launch Edition are approximately four pounds lighter per wheel than the standard 19-inch F Sport Performance wheels.
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Launch Edition Interior
The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition features two-tone Black and Gray Ultrasuede-trimmed seats, door panels and center console. The heated steering wheel gets finished with a combination of black leather and silver ash wood with black F Sport Performance badging. Limited to only 500 examples exclusively for the North American market, each Launch Edition receives a numbered badge on the center console. The combination instrumentation will also have startup animation exclusive to the Launch Edition.
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Additional Performance Parts
The Dynamic Handling Package — optional on IS 350 F SPORT — becomes standard equipment on the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance and includes adaptive variable suspension and a Torsen limited-slip differential. The IS 500 also features additional brake cooling and larger 14-inch two-piece aluminum front rotors and 12.7-inch rear rotors. Lexus engineers also added a Yamaha rear performance damper that reduces dynamic structural distortion for improved comfort at low speeds and also adds stability and agility at high speeds.
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Lexus IS Updates
For 2021 Toyota’s luxury brand revised the IS with a new spindle grille design, slender headlights with L-shaped signature daytime running lights, new rocker panels, side accent lines, a gentle slope to the rear pillars and short rear decklid. At the rear, the decklid design is three-dimensional and the rear lights are incorporated as part of a full-width L-shaped light bar that stretches across the rear of the vehicle. The IS 500’s hood has been raised nearly 2.0 inches with added character lines to accommodate the V8 engine, while the front fenders have been lengthened and the front bumper revised.
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Exclusive Wheels
Standard wheels for the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance are exclusive 19-inch split 10-spoke Enkei alloy wheels that not only differentiate the IS 500 from other IS variants, but are also lighter by one pound for each front wheel and two pounds for each rear wheel. The revised rear diffuser highlights the IS 500 F SPORT Performance’s dual-stacked quad exhaust outlets; a black F SPORT spoiler rides on the decklid.
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IS 500 Interior
Inside, the IS 500 features F SPORT Performance badging on the heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and the door sill plates. The digital instrumentation includes exclusive IS 500 animation as well as an IS F SPORT accelerator pedal, brake pedal and footrest.
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Lexus Driving Signature
Lexus announced that the updated 2021 IS launches a new era of Lexus vehicles developed at the Toyota Technical Center in Shimoyama, Japan, following a uniform Lexus Driving Signature. The intent of this new generation of Lexus vehicles translates to vehicles that are more balanced, confident and refined. The brand says the Lexus Driving Signature emphasizes the connection between car and driver, as well as diligent testing with a focus on chassis tuning, linear steering, responsive braking and optimized handling.
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Lexus Safety System
The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance includes the same updated Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 as other IS variants. The response range for the Pre-Collision system — which includes frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection and bicycle detection — has been expanded with enhancements to the camera and radar. In addition, the all-speed dynamic cruise control includes a new feature for overtaking vehicles in a smoother manner.
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