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The good news today is that a new V8-powered Lexus IS500 F Sport Performance variant has been revealed. The bad news? This sorta-kinda IS F successor has been developed exclusively for the United States.
Revealed overnight, the Lexus IS500 F Sport Performance “ushers in a new era of F Sport Performance models that will appeal to passionate driving enthusiasts”.
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Our teaser story last week suggested we could be about to see the arrival of an IS500 V8-powered sedan, which is something the market has been crying out for since the Lexus IS F was discontinued in 2013.
The new model shoehorns a 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine under the bonnet, while adding subtle styling enhancements such as a raised and sculpted power bulge in the bonnet, 19-inch Enkei alloy wheels, revised rear diffuser with new quad exhaust outlets, and dark chrome window trim.
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The V8 engine outputs 351kW and 535Nm to the rear wheels through the standard eight-speed automatic transmission as the IS350.
It stocks a number of supporting componentry including upgraded brakes, uprated cooling, limited slip differential and revised suspension. The IS500 can sprint from zero to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds.
On the inside, the IS line’s new hero model is distinguished by F Sport Performance badging on the steering wheel and door sills, while the instrument cluster features a start-up animation specific to the IS500.
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Lexus says: No IS500 for you
Sadly, the Lexus IS500 F Sport Performance is intended exclusively for the North American market, and will only be sold in left-hand drive guise. It will go on sale in the US market in the second half of this year.
Interestingly, Lexus says the IS500 is the first vehicle in a “new line of F Sport Performance vehicles”, indicating that this is not the only car we should expect from the new performance branch.
Fingers crossed there’s more of where this came from.
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