Full Performance Specs Revealed for IS 500

Big Leak

The new IS 500 was a proper revelation for enthusiasts when it was revealed earlier this year, bringing V8 power back to the model following a multi-year absence. With 472 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque on tap from its 5.0-liter powerplant, the IS 500 will do 0-60 in a solid 4.5 seconds. However, we've been waiting on more details to arrive, and now it appears they have, thanks to a leaked brochure recently covered by YouTuber Kirk Kriefels in this video.

Photos: Lexus

Exterior Options

First up, we have exterior color options, which consist of Ultra White, Caviar, Iridium, Infrared, Atomic Silver, Grecian Water, Cloudburst Gray, Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0, and Incognito, which is exclusive to the IS 500 F Sport Performance Launch Edition. Matte black 19-inch forged BBS alloy wheels are optional on the former and standard on the latter, with 19-inch Enkei wheels also available. 

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the upcoming IS 500 right here in Club Lexus.

Interior Options

Inside, the Launch Edition features a unique Ash Wood finish, while regular IS 500 models will come equipped with Black, Circuit Red, or White Nuluxe seats with Black Geometric accents. Additional options include a larger 10.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson audio, a rear sunshade, and memory seats.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the upcoming IS 500 right here in Club Lexus.

Throwback Sedan

Perhaps most importantly, the IS 500 marks the return of the naturally-aspirated, V8-powered compact sports sedan. There was a time when this segment was ripe with competition from the likes of Lexus, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, but all of those automakers have since abandoned it for smaller, turbocharged powerplants.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the upcoming IS 500 right here in Club Lexus.

Glorious Sounds

That means the glorious sounds emitted by the IS 500 are worth the price of admission all by themselves. The 5.0-liter mill certainly sounds light years better than any turbo six-cylinder could ever hope to, which makes it the far superior option to its rivals without taking anything else into consideration. 

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the upcoming IS 500 right here in Club Lexus.

Other Enhancements

Couple that with a quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel-drive configuration, and you've got a recipe for tail-out fun. The IS 500 features a host of goodies underneath its skin as well, including a limited-slip differential and adaptive dampers, as well as a muscular body with several enhancements over its V6-powered brethren.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the upcoming IS 500 right here in Club Lexus.

Back in Time

Add it all up, and you've got one sweet machine that should appeal to the enthusiast in all of us. But above all, we have to hand it to Lexus for going back in time when other automakers have long since given up on our all-time favorite combination of powerplant and vehicle segment.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the upcoming IS 500 right here in Club Lexus.

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