Lexus takes one last stab at the naturally aspirated V8

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Lexus has done something interesting – or is it ignorant? – it’s put a naturally aspirated V8 into its IS sedan.

Just to be clear, it’s still 2021 and everyone else is working hard on downsizing engines and adding electrification. At least Lexus is trying something a little different, right?

Not that atmospheric V8s are bad, of course. They’re one of the most pleasing engines to push hard, with rewards of power and sonic pleasure, and they typically don’t cost half a dozen kidneys to buy.

Lexus has slotted its longstanding V8 into the new IS.

But these days, it's too hard to ignore the environmental implications of a big engine. Even Mercedes-AMG has been forced to concede, with the upcoming C-Class update all but confirmed to completely drop engines with more than four cylinders.

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The pair of stacked exhaust tips are a throwback to the old IS F and still look fantastic.

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The cabin is largely unchanged from the normal IS sedan.

Environmental ranting aside, let’s have a look at this new IS.

Succinctly called the IS 500 F Sport Performance, the range-topper uses a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 to generate a healthy 354kW at a howling 7100rpm. Torque is rated at 536Nm at 4800rpm. As an aside, the F Sport Performance is a new badge for Lexus, designed to sit between the full-fat F models and the F Sport trim level.

The engine is actually an updated version of the same plant that powered the old IS F (and the GS F) from 2007 to 2014, now with higher compression and more power.

Cogs are shuffled exclusively by an eight-speed automatic and the powertrain is enough to send the sedan to 100kmh in 4.6 seconds.

Further performance improvements come courtesy of a special Dynamic Handling Package that includes an adaptive suspension and Torsen limited-slip differential.

Lexus also includes a Yamaha-supplied rear performance damper that improves structural rigidity to provide additional stability. Bigger brakes are part and parcel too.

Lexus has kept the weight gain down to just 143kg extra over the existing IS 350 F Sport, putting the IS 500 at 1765kg.

The high performance sedan gets more aggressive looks than its vanilla siblings, with a bulging hood, black grille and corner intakes, and unique wheels. Around the back are two pairs of stacked exhausts, just like the IS F of old.

Inside is largely unchanged, with different pedals, a unique start-up animation and a heated steering wheels the only real tweaks. There are also F Sport Performance badges dotted throughout.

Interested in what could very well scratch that V8 Commodore itch? Bad news – the IS 500 F Sport Performance is a North American-only affair. We reached out to Lexus New Zealand, which confirmed it won’t be coming here.