The Japanese firm has presented the new Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance, a special edition with 481 CV of power of the sports sedan that does not reach Europe.
The Lexus IS has not been on sale in Europe for some time. The D-segment sedan has succumbed to the SUV craze and a declining market that is mainly dominated by the big German premium manufacturers. Despite this, it is sold in other countries where they enjoy special versions such as the new Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance.
Available exclusively in Japan (at least for now), the IS 500 F Sport Performance is equipped with the 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that develops 481 hp and 535 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a Torsen-type limited-slip differential.
Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance: 481 hp special edition of the sports saloon
This particular version is accompanied by an adaptive variable suspension, high-performance shock absorbers, and a brake kit with larger discs of up to 356 mm at the front and up to 323 mm at the rear.
On an aesthetic level you will not find any changes compared to the conventional IS 500 F Sport, so it retains the sporty body kit, with a bulging hood, specific bumpers and sills, a small spoiler on the boot lid and a very sporty diffuser. with four exhaust outlets.
The set rests on 19-inch forged aluminum wheels, although a set of matt black BBS wheels is available as an option. There are also details like black-painted brake calipers, an interior with Ultra Suede upholstery with F Sport badging, ventilated seats, a leather steering wheel, an 8-inch screen multimedia system and a digital instrument cluster.
The new Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance will be available in Japan from August 25 with the “First Edition” limited to just 500 units that will be assigned through a lottery. Pricing has yet to be announced by Lexus, but the Japanese market launch is expected to take place this winter.
