VIDEO: 2022 Lexus IS 500 Hot Laps with Pro Driver Townsend Bell
The new IS 500 sounds amazing, minus the squealing tires, as it rips off some hot laps around Eagles Canyon Raceway in Texas.
The Lexus IS 500 F-Sport may not be a true Lexus IS F car, but it is no slouch. When we first previewed the IS 500 we were excited by the 472 horsepower 5.0L V8 stuffed under the hood. It looks to have the ingredients to make a refined car that can still attack the racetrack. But looks can be deceiving. It needs to be proven out on the track. Even better if while it is on the track it is in the hands of a professional racing driver. Someone like IMSA GT Daytona Championship winner Townsend Bell should do the trick.
Paul Strauss over at The Awesomer was lucky enough to have the opportunity to get a few hot laps in the new IS 500 with Bell behind the wheel. Awesomer Media has a lot of great content and cool cars is just a part of all the amazing things they discuss. Lucky for us this time around they posted a video of the IS 500 laps on their YouTube channel. From the first moment that Lexus is fired up, you know that this is something special. You know, just in case you missed the neon yellow wrap and huge wing on the back.
The video is shot from the passenger point of view of gives us a sense of what it would be like to ride around the track in the IS 500. Bell is clearly not in maximum attack mode, but he is still pushing the car a fair bit. Probably as much as you would want to on the stock street tires. They are screaming under protest for most of the way around the track. “The nice thing about this car now is you can carry a taller gear because the torque is so high.” Says Bell. However, downshifting will help rotate the car, plus we think we would do it, just so we could hear it. The car sounds amazing as it makes its way around the course. It makes you want to go for a spirited drive right now.
How many IS 500 buyers will actually track their cars? We are guessing the percentage will be pretty low. However, you certainly can if you want to. But even if you don’t this car looks like it would be an absolute blast to drive just about anywhere. As Bell says: “They are having some fun with the brand now and it shows.” That is great to see. Strauss sums up his IS 500 experience like this: “The IS 500 brings back the visceral V8 thrills of the IS F, but with more comfort and an even sharper suspension setup. I would totally daily drive this thing.” So, you have a daily driver and a track star all in one package. And it is a Lexus so it will last forever.
Is a hotter IS F going to be coming down the pike? We don’t know. We would love to see it, but we can’t complain one bit about the IS 500 F-Sport as it is today. Especially in the world of engine downsizing, turbocharging and electrification. Sticking a big honking V8 under the nose of a Lexus sedan might soon become a thing of the past. We need to enjoy it while we can. Whether that be on the road or on the track, enjoy the drive.
Photos: @awesomermedia
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