Lexus unveils new 2022 IS 500 F SPORT, exclusively for the North American market.

A Lexus F SPORT Performance Line

The IS 500 has a maximum output of 472 hp at 7,100 rpm and 395 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,800 rpm.Despite a more powerful engine, the vehicle tips the scales at 1,765kg, gaining only 5 kg of additional curb weight over the standard IS 350 AWD F SPORT.

The IS 500 is capable of delivering a manufacturer-estimated 0-to-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds and has a manufacturer-estimated fuel consumption of 9.8 L/100 km on the highway. Other IS 500 performance enhancements include a throaty quad exhaust system with dual stacked tail pipes that perfectly amplify the new V8 engine.

IS 500 uses the same eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission found in the IS 300 RWD model.

It features 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.Custom Mode is also available, offering multiple combinations for powertrain (Normal/Eco/Power), chassis (Normal/Sport) and air conditioner (Normal/Eco).

Starting with the 2022 IS 500, Lexus F SPORT Performance models will come adorned with unique black badging on the sides to distinguish it from F models.

Lexus Driving Signature 

The IS 500 comes standard with the Dynamic Handling Package (DHP), which includes Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) 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 cooling enhancements have also been made over the standard IS 350 F SPORT with additional aerodynamic cooling and larger 14.0-inch two-piece aluminum front rotors and 12.7-inch rear rotors.

Exterior

The IS 500 features subtle exterior enhancements to help set it apart from the standard IS 350 F SPORT. The hood has been raised nearly 50 mm and receives sculpted center character lines, while the front bumper and fenders have been lengthened to help accommodate the vehicle’s naturally aspirated V8 muscle. IS 500 will come standard with exclusive 19-inch split-10-spoke Enkei alloy wheels.

The wheels are approximately 0.5 kg lighter per wheel in front and 1 kg lighter per wheel in the rear, compared to the standard 19-inch F SPORT wheel.  Other exterior updates include a revised lower rear diffuser accent that accentuates the quad exhaust system, as well as dark chrome window trim.

Safety Systems

A number of features that are part of the Lexus Safety System+ have been enhanced, some added features include :

A Pre-Collision System (PCS), which include Frontal Collision Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection and Bicyclist Detection features an enhancement to the camera’s lens and millimeter-wave radar elements to expand the response range.

Additional PCS functions include Emergency Steering Assist (ESA), which is designed to assist steering within the vehicle’s lane as cued by the driver.

All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) can be activated above 50km/h and is designed to perform vehicle-to-vehicle distance controls down to 0 km/h and can resume from a stop. DRCC also includes a new feature that allows for smooth overtaking of slower vehicles.

Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/ SA) is designed to help notify the driver if it senses an inadvertent lane departure at speeds above 50km/h via steering wheel vibrations or audible alert. It can also take slight corrective measures to help keep the driver within the visibly marked lane.

Additional Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 features include Intelligent High Beams, which detects preceding or oncoming vehicles and automatically switches between high beam and low beam headlights.