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So Lexus Japan website has updated information regarding the 2023 IS500. Changes for all IS are minor. Sales of the IS500 regular model are planned after the winter of 2022. What we have found so far (thanks to @TipsyTonio, and please keep in mind the information is for Japan market only, what we get may be different):
Applied to all IS models:
No new infotainment
The trim around the center clock area now becomes darker silver colored
Added cup holder lighting
A new “pop up hood” that pops up the back of the hood when the front sensors detect that you have struck a pedestrian.
New color choice for BBS wheels as dealer option (apparently applied to IS500 too)
IS500:
19-inch ENKEI wheels (dark gray metallic paint)
Trans cooler and upgraded brake pads as dealer options
Apparently no Grecian Water color for Japan, but has one named Titanium Carbide Gray, looks like Incognito to me
More locations with suede across the interior
Unique to IS500 First Edition:
Limited 500 units
Black door mirrors
Ultrasuede and L-tex sports seats (black/brown perforation + brown stitching)
Can choose from all exterior colors
Some special interior finish
Bonus special edition - IS350 F Sport Mode Black III:
Beat me to it. I just woke up and was going to post the link. I guess the Canadian document was right.
No new infotainment
Black Enkeis
Ugly IS350 special edition
Regarding the new wood finish, I’ll say it is definitely not my cup of tea. If there was an orange interior like on the LC500, maybeeee. But not with the interior color options the IS offers
Playing with the configurator some more, I found some cool things:
In Japan at least, all interior colors are offered in both Nuluxe and Leather options
It seems that the gloss black from the radio area has been replaced to match the brush metal finish of the RC. Not sure how I feel about that one.
So I keep finding new things lol:
In terms of accessories, Lexus has developed new F Sport Performance accessories with an inverted color scheme compared to the regular F Sport counterpart. I wonder if we will get these in the US. Japan has had puddle lights for a while but we haven’t gotten them.
In terms of other features, up until now (I will keep checking lol) I only found two new features:
there is now a light coming from the the area of the SOS button that is meant to illuminate the cup holders at night. Toyota has done this before with other models such as the Kruger / Highlander.
There is a new “pop up hood” that pops up the back of the hood when the front sensors detect that you have struck a pedestrian. This may or may not be a new feature but I don’t recall seeing it before. Only one way to find out….. who wants to jump in front of my car?
bear in mind, some of these things may be regional and may never make their way to our side of the world
In terms of other features, up until now (I will keep checking lol) I only found two new features:
there is now a light coming from the the area of the SOS button that is meant to illuminate the cup holders at night. Toyota has done this before with other models such as the Kruger / Highlander.
There is a new “pop up hood” that pops up the back of the hood when the front sensors detect that you have struck a pedestrian. This may or may not be a new feature but I don’t recall seeing it before. Only one way to find out….. who wants to jump in front of my car?
1. CT200h has this mood light too. It’s an old feature.
2. What’s the point of having the hood pop when you hit someone? So they can roll onto your scalding hot V8 and burn themselves?
1. CT200h has this mood light too. It’s an old feature.
2. What’s the point of having the hood pop when you hit someone? So they can roll onto your scalding hot V8 and burn themselves?
You must've missed the part where I said the BACK of the hood lol. The idea it is meant to create a slope of sorts between the roof and the hood line, and the person would be less likely to hit the windshield head on, essentially reducing the damage to the pedestrian.
You must've missed the part where I said the BACK of the hood lol. The idea it is meant to create a slope of sorts between the roof and the hood line, and the person would be less likely to hit the windshield head on, essentially reducing the damage to the pedestrian.
Lol that makes a ton more sense. Kinda cool. Thanks.
There appears to be an AC outlet now in the trunk? I guess it's perfect if I'm living in my car lol
A LOT more suede locations on their "First Edition"
Door Panels
Shifter
Steering Wheel
Gauge Cluster Bezel
Knees pads on dash
Center console lid
Interestingly, it seems that the seats don't have suede though?
On this page, (LEXUS ‐ IS500 F SPORT Performance) they mention that product is scheduled to start in Spring 2023... Unfortunately it seems those waiting may be waiting a while...
I think this is my final observation, sorry for the spam guys: LEXUS - IS| Instruction Manual
According to that page ^, 2023MY production started in August of 2022, and 2022MY production ended in July of 2022. This means that 23MY production started a month before 22MY production. We began seeing IS300s and 350 in US shores in November 2021, and December 2021 for the IS500. Knowing what we know, I would assume it is safe to expect to see IS300s and 350s in October 2022 and IS500s in November 2022.
There appears to be an AC outlet now in the trunk? I guess it's perfect if I'm living in my car lol
A LOT more suede locations on their "First Edition"
Door Panels
Shifter
Steering Wheel
Gauge Cluster Bezel
Knees pads on dash
Center console lid
Interestingly, it seems that the seats don't have suede though?
On this page, (LEXUS ‐ IS500 F SPORT Performance) they mention that product is scheduled to start in Spring 2023... Unfortunately it seems those waiting may be waiting a while...
Yeah. I like where they're putting the suede now. The material of the seats are really hard to tell from the photos, but to me it actually does look like suede, but not the same type of fiber as the US Launch Edition. It looks softer and looser if that makes any sense. Maybe the vents are bigger.
Yeah. I like where they're putting the suede now. The material of the seats are really hard to tell from the photos, but to me it actually does look like suede, but not the same type of fiber as the US Launch Edition. It looks softer and looser if that makes any sense. Maybe the vents are bigger.
Thats actually what led me to believe that it might not be suede; the perforations are MUCH more noticeable than the US launch edition
Yeah I noticed that afterwards. That was my bad. On the configurator, the image is so blurry that it looked Brushed Metal to me
I thought so too when I saw that photo. Who knows...
Originally Posted by TipsyTonio
Thats actually what led me to believe that it might not be suede; the perforations are MUCH more noticeable than the US launch edition
EDIT: It's suede according to the catalog. Translation: Ultrasuede®
(Black) / L-tex sports seat (with driver's seat position memory/driver's seat and passenger's seat ventilation function) *1
Ultrasuede®
(Door trim armrest/Meter hood/Kneepad [Front console side]/Top of front console/Shift ****.