2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition gets exclusive grey paint, BBS wheels – 500 units only

2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition gets exclusive grey paint, BBS wheels – 500 units only

Last month, Lexus introduced the enthusiast-oriented IS 500 F Sport Performance, to give it its full – and rather inelegant – name. But no car worth its salt can be sold without a Launch Edition these days, so here’s one that adds even more words to the alphabet soup.

Awkward it may be, but the moniker does bring with it a number of covetable aesthetic goodies. For a start, the Launch Edition gets an exclusive Incognito paint finish, a sort of flat grey that is a first for Lexus. Also fitted are lightweight 19-inch matte black BBS alloy wheels from the standard IS‘ F Sport Dynamic Handling Package, replacing the IS 500’s Enkei items.

Inside, the Launch Edition adds black and grey Ultrasuede upholstery, a silver ash wood-trimmed steering wheel, exclusive instrument display startup animation and a serialised badge on the centre console to highlight the car’s exclusivity. Just 500 units will be built, and as with the “regular” IS 500, these cars will also be limited to the United States. Sorry, guys.

Mechanically, the Launch Edition is identical to the IS 500, which is a very good thing. That’s because it comes with the same sonorous 2UR-GSE 5.0 litre naturally-aspirated V8 from the excellent LC 500, producing 472 hp at 7,100 rpm and 536 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, it enables the car to get from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.5 seconds.

The IS 500 also won’t be short on handling prowess, coming as standard with adaptive dampers and a Torsen limited-slip differential. There’s also a Yamaha performance damper to absorb unwanted chassis vibrations, plus larger brakes with improved cooling. Look out for the IS 500 and the Launch Edition to arrive in American dealers in the autumn.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • X50 vs IS on Mar 22, 2021 at 3:57 pm

    Bila model ni sampai kat Malesia…
    Ako nk tengok x50 v. IS
    I think x50 can dabao IS… Meh

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 9
    • You Mabuk Ke Apa ? on Mar 22, 2021 at 5:46 pm

      This particular IS 500 has a 5.0 N/A V8 that actually gets to 0-100 in 4.6 seconds unlike your TGDI X50 which claimed to get to 0-100 in 7.6 seconds but in reality is 8.5 seconds at best some even clocking at 10 seconds. The less performance oriented version of the IS which is the 300 variant can still tapau your TGDI X50 from 0-100 in 7 seconds even though being 250kg heavier & only having 66hp more. Why even compare these two cars ? The IS is a proper luxury car which costs 5x more than the X50; where the X50 is just an entry-level premium car. Fikir masak2 dulu la sebelum comment haih.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
    • Aiman on Mar 22, 2021 at 8:31 pm

      Myvi king oredi dabao x50..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • BlackJKX on Mar 22, 2021 at 4:38 pm

    Suddenly this color is trending right now..all cars include saga, civic, myvi, avanza ect change this color…haiyaa

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
    • (Dude) on Mar 22, 2021 at 6:27 pm

      Since when did you saw this grey paint on Saga Myvi Avanza??

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Awe Law Who Act Ball on Mar 23, 2021 at 12:57 pm

      Lexus IS 500 F Sports owner will quickly gives it some hypershift colors dip paint plus air bags suspension upgrade.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Burnt Disc on Mar 23, 2021 at 10:57 am

    Opps…..I thought the grey colour on the Lexus was the primer….Sorry, sorry ya.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Semi-Value (Member) on Mar 23, 2021 at 8:55 pm

    better than the germans

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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