---
title: "Lexus Files ‘IS500’ Trademark for Potential V8 Sport Sedan"
description: "Our dreams of a true IS F successor aren't dead yet."
date: "2020-06-30"
modified: "2020-06-30"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/34521/lexus-files-is500-trademark-for-potential-v8-sport-sedan"
categories:
  - "Lexus News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Lexus"
---

# Lexus Files ‘IS500’ Trademark for Potential V8 Sport Sedan

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/06/2021_Lexus_IS_F-SPORT_027.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

After hearing rumors that Lexus would bring a 5.0-liter V8 back to its compact sports sedan, we were pretty disappointed when the [heavily-refreshed (but not all-new) 2021 IS](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/34083/2021-lexus-is-a-mild-design-update-and-apple-carplay-aim-to-keep-you-from-buying-suvs>) debuted with zero new powertrain additions or changes. If a new trademark filing holds any water, however, our dreams for a spiritual successor to the IS F may not be dead just yet.

Spotted by a [GR86.org](<https://www.gr86.org/threads/lexus-files-trademark-for-is500.76/>) forum member, the Toyota Motor Corporation filed a trademark for "IS500" to the [United States Patent and Trademark Office](<https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=90020079&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch>) last week, the same name [those previous rumors gave](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/33539/2021-lexus-is-500-will-get-lexus-last-naturally-aspirated-v8-report>) to the supposed upcoming high-performance Lexus IS. Naturally, the mark is described to be for "automobiles and structural parts thereof."

![message-editor%2F1593542819705-lexusis500trademark.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1593542819705-lexusis500trademark.jpg>)
**USPTO**

When unofficial rumblings of a future IS 500 were heard last month, it was said to be Lexus' last application of its naturally aspirated V8, the same 5.0-liter that lives under the hoods of the [LC 500](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/18232/2018-lexus-lc-500-test-drive-review-a-sci-fi-stunner-for-the-luxurious-long-haul>), GS F, RC F, and defunct IS F. In its current applications, the engine makes around 470 horsepower which would make for a vast jump over the IS 350's 311 hp. Still, that's lacking compared to the 500-plus ponies expected from the upcoming [BMW M3 and M4](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/33886/feast-your-eyes-on-the-2021-bmw-m4s-massive-nostrils>) with which an IS 500 would compete.

Around the same time Toyota was filing this trademark, however, [reports](<https://carbuzz.com/news/we-have-terrible-news-about-the-lexus-lc-f>) stemming from a Japanese publication surfaced saying that the twin-turbo V8 LC F had been canceled due to the global pandemic, which begs the question: If Lexus can't afford to do a high-performance LC, can it come up with the scratch to build a high-po IS?

![message-editor%2F1593545537592-2021-lexus-is-f-sport-003-scaled1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1593545537592-2021-lexus-is-f-sport-003-scaled1.jpg>)
**Lexus**

Whatever the answer to that question may be, Lexus unveiled the "new" IS a couple of weeks ago making a lot of hoopla over that car's apparently enhanced, more balanced handling and the fact that it was developed at Toyota's [Nürburgring-imitating test facility in Shimoyama](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/27672/toyota-is-quietly-building-its-own-japanese-nrburgring>). If Lexus is serious about targeting the IS at enthusiasts, there are few better ways of doing it than offering eight, turbo-less cylinders.

A Lexus spokesperson declined to comment when reached by *The Drive.*

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## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
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