These days, sports sedans are super-rare, while naturally aspirated V8-powered sports sedans are pretty much all but extinct. While others gave up or succumbed to forced induction, downsizing, or hybridization, the last one to hold the line was the Lexus IS 500, the first V8-propelled Lexus IS model since the legendary IS F. When you pop open that bulging hood through the Lexus IS 500 generations, your eyes are blessed with its raucous beating heart, the iconic 5.0-liter “2UR-GSE” naturally aspirated V8 engine.
