Although Chevrolet offering a V8 crate engine with 1,000 hp of max output is good news, naturally aspirated engines are becoming a dying breed. Only a few cars have naturally aspirated engines under their hood, including the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance and the Dodge Charger 392 Hemi. These are the last of NA V8-powered sedans and thanks to Sam CarLegion, a drag-and-roll race became a reality.
Tale Of The Tape: Lexus IS 500 F
Some automotive buyers may find the 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance not so enticing because it’s too focused on comfort. It features a number of old goodies including the 5.0-liter NA V8 that made its debut in the IS F more than a decade ago. While this NA V8 is now older by a decade, it remains an amazing piece of technology. In fact, it is one of the reasons why the Lexus IS 500 F still has buyers.
Featuring an aluminum block and heads as well as port and direct fuel injection, the 5.0-liter V8 engine in the IS 500 F offers around 472 hp of max output at 7,100 rpm and 395 lb-ft of peak torque at 4,800 rpm. Power goes to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission, making the 3,980-lb IS500 quite a quick sedan on the straight line.
Tale Of The Tape: Dodge Charger 392
On the other hand, the Dodge Charger 392 Hemi is definitely not the most powerful Charger around. Nevertheless, it’s a pretty decent Charger, featuring a massive, naturally aspirated 6.4-liter 392 Hemi engine. This V8 motor is more powerful than the one under the hood of the Lexus, delivering 485 hp of max output and 475 lbs of peak torque via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Despite having more power than the IS 500 F, the Charger 392 Hemi is heavier with a curb weight of around 4,400 pounds. Visibly optioned in the Daytona specification, this Charger 392 Hemi should be a good match against the IS 500 F.
Two Wins For Each NA V8 Sedan
Sam CarLegion held a total of four races. The first two were drag races, in which the lighter Lexus IS 500 F proved that it’s the quicker NA V8 sedan when sprinting from 0.
The wins in the roll races (from 30 mph and 62 mph), however, belonged to the Charger 392 Hemi. While it’s heavier, the fact that the wheels were already rolling negated some of its weight disadvantage.
Source: Sam CarLegion