Lexus releases the IS500 F Sport Performance with a naturally aspirated V8

Chief Engineer Naoki Kobayashi and his team at Lexus International have been working on something truly special exclusively for the North American market. Enter the Lexus IS500 F Sport Performance, which dials up the sports sedan formula to 11 with the addition of a 465bhp naturally aspirated V8 engine and a quad exhaust system.

As the first model in the new Lexus F Sport Performance line, the IS500 provides a boost in displacement and performance over the IS350's 3.5-litre V6. The IS500 has a maximum output of 465bhp and 535Nm of torque.

Despite the bigger engine, the vehicle tips the scales at 1,765kg, only 65kg over the IS350 F Sport, and is capable of accelerating from zero to 96km/h in 4.5 seconds. Other performance enhancements include a quad exhaust system with dual stacked tail pipes that amplify the sound from the V8 engine.

The IS500 has an eight-speed automatic transmission with drive mode select Sport S and Sport S+, which provides advanced engine and transmission mapping to enhance performance. Sport S+ also adjusts the amount of EPS steering assist and damping force to deliver sportier handling to match the updated powertrain settings. A Custom Mode is also available, offering multiple combinations for the powertrain and chassis configuration.

The IS500 will come with the Dynamic Handling Package as standard, which includes Adaptive Variable Suspension and a Torsen Limited-Slip Differential (LSD) that improves handling and performance thanks to enhanced traction when cornering or exiting turns. The LSD helps maintain straight-line stability as well.

Engineers have also improved the IS chassis performance with the addition of a Yamaha rear performance damper. This damper reduces dynamic structural distortion, delivering increased comfort at low speeds, and additional stability and agility at high speeds. Brake enhancements have also been made with additional aerodynamic cooling and larger 14.0-inch aluminium front discs and 12.7-inch rear discs.

The IS500 also features subtle exterior enhancements, with the bonnet being raised nearly 5cm and receiving sculpted centre character lines, while the front bumper and fenders have been lengthened to help accommodate the larger V8 engine.

The IS500 comes standard with exclusive 19-inch 10-spoke Enkei wheels. Not only are the wheels beautiful and intricate, they are also lighter than the standard 19-inch F Sport wheels. Other exterior updates include a revised lower rear diffuser accent that accentuates the quad exhaust system, as well as dark chrome window trim. Tying these visual and performance cues together is the black IS F Sport rear lip spoiler.

Inside, drivers are greeted with black F Sport Performance badging on the heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and door sill scuff plates. It also comes standard with the IS F Sport accelerator pedal, brake pedal and footrest, and the combination instrumentation gauges have receive an updated startup animation that is exclusive to IS500.