flipside909

Now that the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance has been announced. Which one would you pick, the 2022 IS 500 F SPORT Performance or 2022 IS 500 F SPORT Performance Launch Edition and why?

GaryJG

I like everything about launch edition except for color.
it's o.k. though. Just not my first choice.

05RollaXRS

I think the Enkei wheels look better on the standard model.

m1919

IS 500 F Sport Performance over the launch edition. Just not a fan of that color or the black wheels.

Shoeboy4

IS 500 F Sport Perfomance, would rather have another color and prefer the Enkei wheels to the black BBS

flipside909

For those that don't prefer Incognito...what color do you prefer?

Great feedback, keep it coming. I'm surprised some like the Enkeis over the BBS.

Sasnuke

I picked the regular model, but I do like the color on the Launch Edition...Incognito!
Unfortunately there's just not enough in the Launch Edition to justify paying whatever the extra is for it.
If you don't even have a Launch mode, then how do you even justify calling it a Launch Edition...unless they are looking at the word Launch in a completely different context.
I get that is has other options that only come on the Launch Edition...color, wood trim, etc...I guess the concept they are trying to promote is lost on me.

flipside909

LOL Launch Edition doesn't mean it will have a Launch Mode. My 2020 RC F does have a Launch Mode...i've used it once or twice...I get the same result brake torqueing.

As for the special edition naming, it's no different than when the GR Supra was introduced with a limited Launch Edition.

https://pressroom.toyota.com/vehicle/2020-toyota-supra/

Sasnuke

That actually makes it worse...so they have a Launch Edition RCF that has a Launch Mode...and now an IS500 Launch Edition that doesn't have Launch Mode...and Supra too.
Why not just call the it something else...Limited Edition...Spec Edition...etc.
I guess having driven other manufacturer Launch Edition vehicles that have actual Launch Mode, this is where Lexus is losing me.
I get that the Launch Mode doesn't make or break the package on the vehicle, but you'd think it would be pretty obvious for it to have it.

Imagine the conversation when you meet up with a buddy that's never driven a Lexus:
You: Hey buddy, check out my new 2022 Lexus IS500 Launch Edition
Buddy: Cool, never seen the inside of a Lexus or driven one before...can I try out the Launch Mode?
You: It doesn't actually have Launch Mode
Buddy: hops in his Ford F150 Hartley Davidson Edition truck and leaves

Racer00J

If I was getting an IS500 I'd get a regular one. Reason: I've always been partial to Ultrasonic Blue. It's my favorite F and F Sport color. And while I really like the suede interior in the launch edition, I'd easily give that interior up to have the USB paint. And the launch edition, while cool looking, doesn't seem special enough to me to warrant passing up on USB.

I wasn't a fan of the black BBS wheels (I usually don't like matte black wheels. They tend to look really cheap, like they were spray painted or something) until I saw them up close in person this past weekend. They're actually pretty nice, buuut I actually like the unique look of the Enkei wheels offered on the IS500. And the fact that they're lightweight is a nice bonus too.


Sidenote: this might sound odd but USB was the main reason I wanted an F Sport. Sadly, I couldn't find any decent ones when I was ready to buy, so I happily settled for a non F Sport IS.

Shoeboy4

I prefer Ultra White, Cloudburst or USB. I am not a fan of black or matte black wheels on cars, if the bbs were gunmetal or regular silver I would be more than ok with them.

The limited number of the launch edition does nothing for me wanting the car more IMO it means the dealers around my area will mark them up with “fair market value” pushing the car out of reach for some just because it’s limited production. From the looks it’s indistinguishable from a DHP 350 outside of the bulge blacked out chrome and badge if it’s wearing the same bbs. With the enkeis you know it’s not a 350 as those wheels are not available on the current 350.

flipside909

I’m pretty confident you’re the minority on that interpretation.

Sasnuke

If I am, so be it.
For what the "Launch Edition" moniker is worth they might as well have called it an IS500 Type-R...
Based on the comments about the color and wheels, it looks like the "Launch Edition" is on the road to being the "Dud Edition" anyways.

Shoeboy4

Launch edition is not for everyone. It’s for that person that wants to have a special limited edition of what will no doubt be a great car. I understand them putting specific interior and color on it as to set it apart in some way from the regular production version

EZZ

Red...I found that my red sporty cars part the left lane faster as I approach at high speeds Yes its also a cop magnet so it has both benefits and disadvantages. The Lexus red is pretty nice.