In February, Lexus announced that its V8 engine was not yet dying. The 2022 IS 500 F Sport Performance filled the brand’s V8-shaped hole and the resulting car looked like an absolute winner. But now the brand is taking things a step further with its limited edition release, which launched on Friday.
Now, it’s important to keep in mind that this limited-edition vehicle isn’t enormously different from what will become the production model. But the tweaks that do has made for this 500 car race are magnificent and really demonstrate what impact a handful of modifications can have on a car. And the lucky ducks from here in North America will be the only ones who will have a chance to buy this model.
The main difference here is the exterior color scheme, which is called incognito. This shade of gray will be exclusive to the launch version, and while I’m not normally a big fan of soft shades for cars, this color is really a bit clean. I really don’t know how to describe it. It’s almost matte in its way of absorbing light, but it still retains a bright, wonderful reflection that makes me think the face could be seen reflected. You hear somewhbetween a more traditional gray and a white. And, for being a soft paper color, that translates beautifully into photos. I’ve heard it’s even better in real life.
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Here are the specifications and some of the big changes:
- 472 horsepower, 5.0-liter V8 with 395 pound-feet of torque
- 19-inch matte black and seven spokes BBS wheels
- Bmissing and gray Ultrasuede trim the seats, doors, and center console
- Silver ash wood trim on the steering wheel
- Serial plate on the dashboard showing the car number you have
These models don’t have a price tag yet, but they should be shipped later this year, probably in the fall.
Now all Lexus has to do is learn the value of a simplified name.