Lexus has announced a new high-performance version of its IS sports sedan specifically for the North American market. As reported in our sister publication Cadillac Society, the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance is fitted with the brand’s naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 gasoline engine, which at first sight makes it an obvious rival to three Cadillac products – the 2021 Cadillac CT5-V as well as the upcoming 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.
| 2021 Cadillac CT5-V | 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing | 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing | 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $48,790 | $59,990 | $84,990 | TBD |
| Engine | Twin-Turbo 3.0L V6 (LGY) | Twin-Turbo 3.6L V6 (LF4) | Supercharged 6.2L V8 (LT4) | 5.0L V8 |
| Power @ rpm | 360 @ 5,400 | 472 @ 5,750 | 668 @ 6,500 | 472 @ 7,100 |
| Torque @ rpm | 405 @ 2,350 to 4,000 | 445 @ 3,500 | 659 @ 3,600 | 395 @ 4,800 |
| Manual transmission | - | 6-speed | 6-speed | - |
| Automatic transmission | 10-speed | 10-speed* | 10-speed* | 8-speed |
| Drivetrain | RWD (AWD*) | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| 0-60 mph, sec. (manufacturer) | 4.6 (4.8*) | 3.8 | 3.7 | 4.5 |
| Top speed, mph (manufacturer) | TBD | 189 | 200+ | TBD |
| Front brake disc, in. | 13.6 | 15.0 | 15.7 | 14.0 |
| Rear brake disc, in. | 12.4 | 13.4 | 14.7 | 12.7 |
- * = optional
In terms of maximum power output, the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance exactly matches the CT4-V Blackwing. Both produce 472 horsepower, but this is only part of the story. Without the benefit of forced induction, which all of the Cadillac models have, the Lexus engine needs to rev higher. Peak power is produced at 7,100 rpm, well above the 5,750 rpm of the CT4-V Blackwing.
Similarly, the Lexus produces its maximum 395 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. This is a very different story from the 445 pound-feet produced at 3,500 rpm by the twin turbo 3.6L V6 LF4 engine in the CT4-Blackwing. The CT5-V also outperforms the Lexus IS 500 by this metric, producing 405 pound-feet all the way from 2,350 to 4,000 rpm.
The more one looks at the figures, the more the non-BW CT5-V appears to be the closest match to the Lexus, even though the maximum output of its twin turbo 3.0L V6 LGY engine is 112 horsepower short at 360 horsepower. The Lexus has the superior 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, but the CT5-V trails it by no more than 0.3 seconds in either all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive form. The CT4-V Blackwing is well clear with a time of 3.8 seconds.
The transmissions of the Japanese and North American vehicles are worth considering in this context. All three Cadillacs are available with GM’s 10-speed automatic gearbox (an alternative to the standard Tremec six-speed manual in the case of the Blackwing models). The Lexus offers only eight forward gears, which may harm its straight-line acceleration slightly.
The type of gearbox will have little effect on top speed. This has not yet been quoted for the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance, but since it produces the same power as the CT4-V Blackwing (though by different means), it can be assumed to have a comparable top speed, so long as the aerodynamic drag of the two vehicles is also similar.
It’s even safer to assume that the Lexus IS 500 will not challenge the CT5-V Blackwing in terms of performance. With its 10-speed transmission, and a supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 engine rated at 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque giving the car a top speed of over 200 mph, the fastest ever Cadillac won’t be troubled by the Japanese car in a straight line.
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Comments
This is an F-sport model so not the same thing. This is a baby lexus sedan. So it competes with the CT4-V. I am sure the CT4-V has a superior chassis but this is-500 f-sport has a 5.0 V8! The blackwings are not its competitor. GM has undercut the competition with the blackwings and Lexus has done the same with an entry level luxury sedan.
Kudos to Lexus. A lot of good competition out there for performance sedans before the onslaught of giant RC toy cars.
I’ve said it a dozen times, if Cadillac had put a NA V8 in a CT4 or 5 I’d buy it. Well, it seems there is a car company that will build the car I want.
I may not be happy with that stupid tablet on the dash but I can look past the rest of the Toyota oddities to get what I want and GM won’t build.
Bonus of Toyota quality won’t hurt my feelings either.
Still a Toyota, so they can keep it. But it doesn’t matter with the massively ugly interior. Huge miss. That look can pass for the Crapola, but not in this category.
Ohh Dan. Still showing your lack of automotive knowledge by slamming the best. Even lowering yourself to rearranging the letters of a Corolla to be funny. The IS build quality makes your ct4 look like trash.
Only in your dreams Corolla Matt.
Move along.
Lexus is Toyota luxury brand as Cadillac is Chevy brand you can dislike the import company, but it’s not there fault GM or Lincoln didn’t take them serious on out selling both in sedans sales today. Both American luxury brands needs to get back to what they use to do best stop following start leading and build luxury sedans with names
let’s compare the condition of a these vehicles after 3 years and we’ll see which one takes the crapola crown.
I agree ,in terms of horsepower it’s on par with CT4 BW but in terms of torque and acceleration, 4.5 vs 3.8, it lags behind BW and mostly in the same ballpark with regular V model. But we must recognize that it doesn’t look too shabby at all.
If I could get a ct5v AWD for around 50 I’m in. I see prices north of 60k. aWD daily that sprints to 60 in under 5 seconds not bad at all
Actually you can get both awd CT4 2.7 and 3.0 CT5 for under $50k, atleast in the Mid-Atlantic states where I’m at.
I have never been a Lexus fan. I just do not understand why people find them Luxurious.
The LS is nice I guess but why get it over a BMW 7 Series?
When I was married my wife bought an es350. It is a fantastic car. Loved the ride quality. She has a little over 300k miles on it and has been rock solid.
Yeah this article and many people here are way off base with this car….. Cadillac isn’t even on the map for Lexus, this IS500 is going after the S4, C43AMG, and M340I. Those cars Cadillac assumes the CT5V competes with……while having performance more on par with their 4 cylinder variants(0 to 60 in 5 seconds smh) so the CT5V will be no match for this IS500. Cadillac missed the mark in so many ways they could have used the CTS V SPORT engine , or the Camaro SS V8 but nope give the regular CT5 slightly more power slap a V badge on it…and voila another half a** car from Cadillac….
Let s call out the big elephant in the room. Lexotas are butt ugly. Looks like that thing hit a parking block or a huge mouth bass was the inspiration for the design. Inside it looks like typical cheap rental Toyota. The Blackwing will smoke the toyota at any stoplight too. So advantage Cadillac. Go home Turd-ota.
Well said Dave Suton. Well said.
Interior on this want-a-be luxury car is 70% + directly out of the cheap Toyota parts bin. Not an attractive angle or viewpoint in it.
excuse me, Cadillac vs. Lexus – no comparison. Lexus out shine Cadillac in every way, and I am a diehard GM guy. Cadillac has to bring the so called cars of the future to production and maybe sales will increase instead of chasing the China market. You were an American company with vision, WHAT HAPPEN??? Your own dealers are bailing on you because of the dumb demands you are making of them. If Cadillac stays on this path they will become another Pontiac, or Oldsmobile, remember those. I have owned Cadillac for years and just got rid of my last one a 2013 XTS. It will be my last. Their dealer network is horrible, they charge for stuff they do not do and try to sell you stuff you do not need. Anything too stay in business. Might as well say bye bye Cadillac now, why wait.
My fist Cadillac was a 1983 Eldorado. My second a 1994 Deville. My current is a 2012 CTS Premium Coupe. I have always loved Cadillacs and their quality has made leaps and bounds with each new car but sadly this will be my last. All I want is a beautiful luxury coupe with a V8 that I can be proud to park next to my 2017 Grand Sport. Cadillac can’t or won’t deliver. I am not ready to buy an electric only battery box on wheels. Now I am forced to look at Jags. It is a troubling time in America.
Brad: You may want to investigate Jaguar a little more. They are going all electric in a very short time. And you can still get a Cadillac with a v8, just not in a 2 dr. But if you had a 1994 Deville, then you had a sedan 4 dr then with the v8. So what’s the difference now? Or find a nice used ATC V-series coupe with the big engine. Problem solved.
I understand that everyone is pushing toward electric and I don’t consider that a good thing. But, at this time you can still get a coupe with a V8 from Jag and Mercedes and BMW and Audi. Mind you I would rather buy American but Cadillac doesn’t offer a body style that excites. Anything Cadillac has on the market now I consider a step down from my CTS. They are all smaller and have two extra doors. I don’t need four doors anymore and if I do I drive my SUV. It boils down to choices. Choices that are being restricted every new model year. Cadillac had a gorgeous concept coupe a few years ago but they will never build it. It’s just sad.
What an ugly p o s toyota………….