Japanese IS 500 F Sport Performance Subjected To Lottery

First Edition

The Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance launched in the U.S. to much fanfare, mostly because it's what we've essentially been clamoring for since the last IS F - a high-performance, V8-powered luxury sedan. Of course, the IS 500 isn't quite as hardcore as the IS F, but it's close enough, we say. Now, Lexus' home market of Japan has the same chance to own one of these cars, but only a select lucky few will get to purchase the special, limited IS 500 F Sport Performance First Edition, it seems.

Photos: Lexus

Winning the Lottery

Lexus will build just 500 examples of the IS 500 F Sport Performance First Edition, and the lucky customers that get to purchase it will be the ones who win a literal lottery. It may seem a bit over the top, but then again, it beats having to track down a dealer that gets an allocation and is willing to sell the hot sedan at MSRP, we suppose.

Photos: Lexus

Distinguishing Features

The First Edition does offer up a few distinguishing features compared to the regular IS 500 F Sport First Edition, including unique matte black 19-inch forged aluminum BBS wheels, black side mirrors, wooden ash interior trim, a leather steering wheel with distinct styling cues, Ultrasuede covering various surfaces, and an IS 500 First Edition plaque, as we can see here.

Photos: Lexus

Fun Machine

Otherwise, the First Edition is essentially identical to the regular IS 500 F Sport Performance - not that there's anything wrong with that, as it's a fun, wicked-sounding machine in a world where V8s in general are a dying breed.

Photos: Lexus

Plentiful Power

Power comes from Lexus' venerable naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8, which generates 475 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque. It sends that power to the rear end via an eight-speed automatic transmission and a Torsen limited-slip differential.

Photos: Lexus

Glued to the Ground

Lexus upgrades the suspension of the IS 500 F Sport Performance to help better manage that power as well, adding its adaptive variable suspension (AVS) with performance dampers to keep it all glued to the ground. A set of beefy brakes with 14-inch rotors up front and 12.7-inch units in the rear help slow it all down in a hurry, too.

Photos: Lexus

Last of its Kind?

For the lucky 500 folks who are selected to buy one, the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance First Edition retails for 9,000,000 yen (USD 63,469) compared to 8,500,000 yen ($59,943) for the regular model, which isn't a huge premium, particularly when we consider the fact that this is a limited edition version of what will likely be the last of its kind.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the IS 500 F Sport right here at ClubLexus.com.

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